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]]]>
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]]]>