AN environmental group will continue to push for a fishing exclusion zone around grey nurse sharks off the coast at South West Rocks.
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North Coast Environmental Council spokesperson John Jeayes will be among those keeping watch on recreational fishing practices.
“Conservationists and divers, as well as the Fisheries Department we hope, will be monitoring activity within the zones,” he said
“If we record instances of flouting the new restrictions, we will call on the government for 1500m sanctuaries, as were promoted by scientific studies in the Fish Rock and Green Island areas.”
Mr Jeayes, who contributes environmental columns to The Argus, criticised the delay over policy.
“It is absolutely outrageous that a critically endangered species has had to suffer continual hooking causing injury and even death, for over 16 months," he said, "while the government worked out that sharks eat fish and that if you put a juicy slab or live bait in front of the shark it will take it.
“The reasons for this delay are obviously political.”
Mr Jeayes said he saw no need for more consultation and research into the issue.
Community consultation had been overwhelmingly in favour of increased protection, he said, and half of the recreational fishermen that made submissions supported protection measures.
Mr Jeayes said getting fishers to obey the new rules would now be the problem.
“Compliance and enforcement will now be the issue," he warned. "Recreational fishermen will still be able to troll, spin, jig and use plastics within the 200m zone and spear fishermen will still be able to spear surface fish like Spanish mackerel."