Nicky Hammond, the NPA’s marine program manager, points out that “marine parks are not no-fishing areas. Marine parks are multiple use with most areas open to fishing. Small pockets of ocean are protected as sanctuary zones to give fish and their habitats some breathing space from fishing pressures. You can still swim, boat and dive in these areas. All marine park zonings are decided with extensive community consultation to get the best results for all user groups.”

With the NSW state election looming in 12 months time local fishermen are making sure the NPA voice is not the only one being heard in regard to protecting the amateur fishing industry.

The NSW National Party also jumped on the issue holding public meetings to hear fishermen speak out against lock outs.

“The Keneally Labor Government needs to rule out plans by the National Parks Association to increase marine sanctuaries by 300 per cent this year,” Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Duncan Gay said.

“NSW Coastal communities will suffer if State Labor indulges the National Parks Association’s (NPA) in its goal to increase NSW marine sanctuaries by 300 per cent. The NSW Liberals and Nationals strongly believe that the creation of any future marine parks or marine sanctuaries need to be based on proper scientific research and community consultation.”

Independent member for Port Macquarie Peter Besseling echoed the Nationals’ call for the government to come clean on the marine park issue.

“There is currently no government plan for a Marine Park in the area. All that’s occurred is the NPA lobbying the government on the back of their Torn Blue Fringe Report. People need to understand that there is no state government proposal,” Mr Besseling said.

“This has been something on the agenda for both the Coalition and the Labor Governments. The Coalition introduced the first Marine Park the Solitary Islands through their former leader, Ian Armstrong, who said ‘This type of multiple use reserve is rapidly gaining international recognition as the most appropriate way of conserving and managing sensitive marine habitats and their fauna.’

“While you’ve got the National Party holding public meetings to stir up the issue and suggest it’s a government plan for Marine Parks, both sides need to come clean. The current government needs to come forward and fill gap in information.

“I only hope that with the National Party fishing for votes at the next election, local fishos do not fall for their bait, hook, line and sinker.”

Mr Besseling said he will be lobbying Environment Minister Frank Sartor to visit the region on a number of issues, one being to meet with local fishermen and once and for all rule out a marine park for the region.

“My first press release on the Marine Park issue was in 2008 and that view still stands; I don’t think there should be any more marine parks introduced until a compete study on the benefits or otherwise has been done,” Mr Besseling said.

While local recreational fishermen have said they don’t believe either side of politics’ view on the marine park issue until they see a promise in writing, they are not staying silent on the issue in the lead up to the election and beyond.

“The fact is the NPA have got that Torn Blue Fringe document and they wish to get more marine parks and will keep lobbying the government for that to happen,” said Bert Hayes, president of the Laurieton United Services Club Fishing Club.

“The fight is important because if (a marine park) is put in, the areas we can fish will be less which will increase pressure on other areas that are left.

“About 50 per cent of the tourists that come to the Camden Haven come here to fish. If the area is restricted and there are huge fines if you are found fishing in a Sanctuary Zone, they will go elsewhere. They found that in the Batemans Marine Park and other areas.”

Ray Robinson, president of the North Haven Bowling Club Fishing Club said the community needs to be made aware of the flow-on affect of fishing restrictions in the Camden Haven.

“The lifestyle here will change a great deal if this is allowed to go ahead. That needs to be stressed so that the community understands the impact of this,” Mr Robinson said.

LUSC Fishing Club weigh master Bill Judd compiled the submission on behalf of the five local amateur fishing clubs. He said he spent five weeks researching and writing, but had been working on the issue since the Torn Blue Fringe was released in December 2008.

He said much of the research in the NPA’s report is based on overseas information.

“If it was scientifically based here and they can give just cause for us to stop what we are doing (fishing) then we will help in every way we can,” Mr Judd said.

John Robbins, president of the Lake Cathie Amateur Fishing Club believes locking recreational fishermen out is not the solution to the NPA’s conservation wish.

“We all think conservatively when we fish. Our bag limits are less and species sizes bigger than the regulations when we have competitions,” Mr Robbins said.

“We had a fish kill in Lake Cathie last year and thousands of fish died. Where was the NPA then?”

Allan Sandersan, president of the Kendall Services and Citizen’s Club Fishing Club, said members of local amateur fishing clubs understood the importance of fishing conservatively.

“I fish once or twice a week and I can only see the area improving. I can’t see any proof that a marine park is needed,” he said.

Bruce Hall, secretary of the Laurieton Hotel Motel Fishing Club, said the impact of a marine park and sanctuary zones in the Camden Haven should be most concerning to the community.

“A lot of people retire here to be able to drop in a line when they like. A lot of people holiday here for the fishing. These people are going to stop coming if this is allowed to go ahead. I’m most concerned about the economic effect on the area,” Mr Hall said.

Submissions to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry close on March 16 and findings are expected to be handed down no November 25.