Batemans Marine Park covers approximately 85,000 hectares, extending from the north end of Murramarang Beach near Bawley Point to Wallaga Lake in the South. It includes all of the seabed and waters from the mean high water mark on the coast to three nautical miles offshore. It includes all estuaries, creeks, rivers and lakes (except Nargal Lake) to the limit of tidal influence.

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http://www.mpa.nsw.gov.au/pdf/bmp-zoning-map.pdf]]>
However, the data is an interesting complement to the Study Regions from the Talking Fish project, so the data of 7 respondents who kindly gave permission to be involved has been included. ]]>
Surfing for women]]> Family life]]> Communities]]> Tourism]]> Marine protected areas]]> Fishing]]> Aboriginal culture]]> Seashore]]> Landcare]]> Litter (Trash)]]> Environmental conservation]]> Marine parks]]> Water pollution]]> Marine ecosystems]]> Environmental stewardship]]> Environmental responsibility]]>
She comments on how different the culture is from when she, as a girl, would go to the beach and just lie in the sun. Now daughters of friends are engaged in the action: surfing, spear-fishing, diving. She surfs with other mums in her area and her husband's colleague encouraged her to join the Board Riders club. At first she was reluctant, having seen how competitive board riding was when growing up in the Wollongong area, and how the boys made fun of the girls, who had just recently got involved in the competition. But she went along and loved the supportiveness. She speaks of the charity work the club does, usually to support women or coastal communities. She describes the unique feeling of surfing, tuning into the ocean, how a friend told her surfing can be anti-depressant.

She talks about her young son's relation to the beach and ocean, mixed love and awe. They loved the Council’s Marine Debris Challenge which encouraged everyone to pick up as much plastic rubbish debris as they could find washed up, and then take photos of it, for the Council website. Debris is known to wash up from ships as well as littering on land, and is noticeably worse in holiday seasons.

Other topics included fishing exemptions in sanctuary zones and special permissions for Aboriginal peoples to conduct net fishing. Organisations and events mentioned: Nature Coast Marine Group; Clean Up Australia; Marine Debris Challenge; Landcare.]]>
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Surfing]]> Marine protected areas]]> Urban planning]]> Coastal management]]> Noise pollution]]> Public land]]> Water pollution]]> National parks]]> Erosion]]> Marine parks]]> Litter (Trash)]]> Fishing boats]]> Beaches]]> Estuaries]]> Oceanography]]> Geology]]> Seawalls]]> Coastal zones]]> Coastal settlement]]> Coastal landforms]]> Marine ecosystems]]> Sea level]]> Tourism]]> Scientific observation]]> Surveying (Geography)]]> Research]]> Predictions (Science)]]> Environmental awareness]]> Environmental responsibility]]> Environmental stewardship]]> Environmental pollution]]> Environmental scientists]]> Environmental change]]> Environmental risk management]]> Environmental hazards]]> Environmental policy]]> Environmental conservation]]> Intangible assets]]>
He has an intimate knowledge of coastal dynamics from his experience as a surfer, and postgraduate research in coastal dynamics and processes. He loves surfing for its relaxation and its physical challenges. He reflects on what he has learned from surfing, being able to read the ocean, waves, tides and winds. Being a surfer has given him an intimate understanding of the environment, informing his research on coastal processes such as wave and rip modelling.

The interviewee accepts the inevitability of coastal development, and suggests that it is possible to move forward as long as communities are kept out of hazardous areas that are prone to floods and erosion. Environmental processes need to be understood. For example, in New South Wales, headlands are left undeveloped, and houses are hidden behind foredunes. Coastal development should be ‘nodalised’ near services, not spread along the coast. A reference is made to the NSW Coastal Policy.

He surveys local beaches once a month, and notes the environmental impact (generally) of visitors from Canberra, and weekenders. Jet skis used for recreation are a pest, creating noise and air pollution, but are also useful for research and rescue purposes. He comments positively about marine park exemptions that allow fishing off shores and rocks, and feels the controls are sufficient with bag and size limits in place. He notes more people fish from boats, but overall there is a small population of fishers.

The interviewee is concerned that while local government recognise the value of coast to the local community, state and federal government do not. In order to respond to issues such as rising sea levels, funding is required at that level in order to sustain coastal management into the future.
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CC BY]]> Moruya, NSW [populated place]]]>
Marine protected areas]]> Sustainability]]> Water pollution]]> Water quality]]> Surf lifesaving]]> Social values]]> Poaching]]> Intangible assets]]> Overfishing]]> World heritage sites]]> Spear fishing]]> Diving]]> Kayaking]]> Marine parks]]> Populations (Ecology)]]> Sailing]]> Fishing industry]]> National parks]]> Biodiversity]]> Environmental science]]> Ecotourism]]> Estuaries]]> Litter (Trash)]]> Siltation]]> Sewerage]]> Compliance]]> Regulatory officers]]> Environmental stewardship]]> Environmental degradation]]> Environmental attitudes]]> Environmental responsibility]]>
Throughout his life he has enjoyed ocean-based sporting activities such as snorkelling, spear fishing, swimming, and kayaking. He continues to engage in these activities, spending a couple of times a week at the beach, with the surf club, and comments on the positive social aspect/value of these activities.

He discusses the coastal environment of Port Stephens, changes since 1950s, and talks about his son’s work as a marine biologist in the area, studying environmental impacts such as tourist boats, on dolphins.

Marine protected areas and sanctuary zones on the far south coast are discussed, in particular Burrewarra Point, which the interviewee has known since the 1970s, before it became a marine park. He vigorously supports marine protected areas and laments the lack of political will to enforce sanctuary zones. Personally, he is prepared to pay in economic terms for protective environmental measures. On the south coast he has observed illegal activities such as abalone poaching, and comments on the rubbish recreational and professional fisherman leave behind. His biggest concerns however are government complacency, and issues such as silt running down from the river and occasional raw sewage overflows.]]>
CC BY]]> Batemans Bay, NSW [bay]]]> Malua Bay, NSW [bay]]]> Burrewarra Point, NSW [point]]]>
Marine protected areas]]> Spear fishing]]> Diet]]> Social values]]> Economic aspects]]> Aboriginal culture]]> Fisheries]]> Poaching]]>
Originally from Sydney, he moved to the far south coast for its affordability. He and his partner also wanted to live near the water. His partner swims and snorkels at the beach; he notes the social aspect of these recreational activities for family, friends, and children.

The interviewee monitors seasonal changes and migration patterns of crayfish, in monthly moon cycles. He has observed an increase in crayfish populations, crediting regulations implemented by fisheries in the late 1990s, rather than marine parks. While he supports marine parks, he feels that selective exemptions in sanctuary zones, such as shore-based fishing, results in their ineffectiveness due to people taking advantage. He has observed a polarisation in the community with respect to marine parks, and feels that more education is required, as well as concerted coordination between Fisheries, Marine Parks, and Local Government Areas in order to have better outcomes for everyone in the community. For instance, marine environments cannot be considered in isolation – they are impacted upon by terrestrial, land-based development, hence the need for holistic governance. He mentions the Murray Darling Basin Plan consultation as an example of community ‘disengagement’.]]>
CC BY]]> Narooma, NSW [populated place]]]>
Surfing]]> Marine protected areas]]> Social values]]> Water quality]]> Noise pollution]]>
The interviewee has extensive experience in environmental, conservation and government organisations, having worked nationally in National Parks and Environment. He is a supporter of marine parks and thinks that sanctuary zones should be enforced (i.e. exemptions not allowed) in order to give fish stocks a chance to build up. He would like to see the continuation of sanctuary zones.

Although surfing is a solo activity, he likes the social aspect of going down to the beach, assessing surf conditions before going out to surf. He talks about the beautiful views of land from the ocean, and the way in which surfing educates you about the weather and tides.

He reflects on the lack of major development as a reason for good water quality in the region, and finds the greatest irritant to be recreational jet skiers due to the noise and smell (fumes) of the craft. He would like to see restrictions on jet ski activities. ]]>
CC BY]]> Moruya River, NSW [stream]]]>
Marine protected areas]]> Economic activity]]> Fishing]]> Tourism]]> Poaching]]> Noise pollution]]>
His father was drawn to the area for its recreational fishing, and the interviewee ‘grew up as a mad fisherman’, fishing from both the shore and boat. He has taught his children to fish, and recalls fond memories growing up with his brother, snorkelling and spear fishing.

In terms of the tourist business, he enjoys the interactive experiences he is able to offer customers, such as watching South Coast stingrays and water birds feeding on fish. Out in the kayaks his experiences are generally positive; kayakers are able to move about freely and interact with local commercial fishermen, who are happy to engage and educate. There are negative experiences as well, including poaching or illegal fishing in sanctuary zones. Jet skis are a problem; they are noisy and reduce the enjoyment of kayakers.

When asked about the amnesty or allowance of shore fishing in sanctuary zones, he raises concern about the confusion it causes between ‘ocean-fronted’ and other sanctuary zones. He believes more resources should be placed into educating the public so that recreational fishing and tourism can still bring economic value to the region, in an environmentally sustainable way.]]>
CC BY]]> Mossy Point, NSW [populated place]]]> Clyde River, NSW [stream]]]> Durras, NSW [populated place]]]>
Coastal management]]> Coastal settlement]]> Conservation (Environment)]]> Conservation (Heritage)]]> Surf lifesaving]]> Surfing]]> Fishing]]> Fishing industry]]> Marine protected areas]]> Social values]]> Subcultures]]> Mental illness]]> Communities]]> Natural medicine]]> Spiritual health]]> Activism]]>
In terms of valuing the coast, he discusses the medicinal, therapeutic, and spiritual aspects of beaches, referring to them as a place of reflection. He also reflects on the beach as a place of love, romance, and emotive experiences, often referring to the 1981 Australian surfing movie Puberty Blues – and the accessibility of beaches to all walks of life.

He talks about the changes in perceptions and cultures related to the beach. For example, a ‘surfer’ includes anyone who engages in the surf zone, not just those with surfboards. He discusses the beginning of the surf club movement in the 1900s and how surfing was popularised by America in the 1950s; the changing culture and perception of surfers as irresponsible types to political advocates – now active in Surf Councils and National Surf Reserves. He also describes the role of National Surf Reserves in conservation and preservation, and refers to Crescent Head and the Dunghutti Aboriginal peoples.

While the interviewee agrees with no-take zones, the idea or need for fishing licences offend him. He talks about different types of fisherman and the need for governments to be aware of the different user groups, communicating and educating accordingly.

He also discusses communities and their strong sense of ownership over their beaches and subsequent management. He thinks that the government’s biggest challenge is in their approach to community liaison and stakeholder engagement. When governments interfere it impacts peoples’ spiritual and social connections, and their experiences become diminished. He worries about community capacity to change the way governments act towards them.

He has a deep understanding of subcultures and discusses the differences between surf lifesavers ('clubbies') and surfers ('hard core'). He often refers to the ‘bromance’ that exists in male surf culture – a connectedness between males and a way for blokes to find a space away from other things in their lives. Reflecting on his work with Suicide Prevention Australia and Australian Men’s Shed Association (mental health initiatives), he talks about male culture in general, the way that men connect and bond through activities, and the power for these activities to cross cultural boundaries. He also makes a clear distinction between surfer and fisherman communities, noting that when the surf is bad a surfer will go home rather than participate in another beach activity. Similarly, a fisherman will do the same.

He recognises the balance between economic stimulus and protection of headlands, and having worked as a federal government advisor, environmental advocate, and lobbyist, feels frustrated and ‘burned out’ when it comes to ever-changing government agendas at the expense of the environment (e.g. coal export terminals in the Great Barrier Reef).

Finally, when asked about the allowance of fishing off beaches and headlands in sanctuary zones he comments about the waste he has personally observed on commercial fishing boats and trawlers.
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