Media Statement: Batemans Marine Park
 
13 December 2019
 
The Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) welcomes the announcement by the NSW Government on increased recreational fishing access in the Batemans Marine Park.
 
AFTA has long campaigned hard for improved recreational fishing access after the flawed plan was initially introduced in 2006 by the then Labor Government.
 
The increased access to Brou Lake (South), Clarks Bay (Freshwater Bay), Forsters Bay, Montague Island (East and South) and Nangudga Lake will be a boon for both Recfishers and the local tourism trade which has suffered at the hands of a plan that the Labor Government introduced designed to shut down recreational fishing.
 
Every area needs a local champion and AFTA recognises that Member for Bega, Andrew Constance has fought a long and hard battle in delivering on his commitment. Andrew’s support of the Recfishing industry has never wavered.
 
Minister Adam Marshal also needs to be congratulated for listing to common sense rather than the green ideological warriors who believe in shutting down everything without any concern for the locals that their plans affect.