Anchoring bans on Sydney Harbour

Green groups pushing powerboats further offshore

Recreational boaters are staring down the barrel of preclusive anchoring restrictions at two of Sydney Harbour’s favourite hangs. Authorities are considering banning boats from anchoring a safe distance from shore at Quarantine (opening photos) and Manly beaches in North Harbour.

The reason sighted for the possible anchoring restrictions is the protection of seagrass. Yet should one apply that rationale to the rest of the state then countless popular boltholes in NSW would be off limits to anchoring. At the same time, moorings for which Roads and Maritime Services receives big revenue scour the seagrass beds.

It is our belief that eco-friendly moorings, preserving water quality, stopping netting, arresting sediment dispersal and reducing wash through speed restrictions, where necessary, would have a greater effect on seagrass beds in general than some token anchoring bans. The detriment far outweighs the benefit of this proposal.

Background

- Pandering to local green groups

The Department of Primary Industries says it received several representations from the (largely diving) community to improve the protection of seagrasses from boating activities in North Harbour, particularly in Manly Cove West and at Quarantine Beach.

Primary Industries is now partnering with Roads and Maritime Services and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service on the development of possible anchoring restriction options to improve protection for seagrasses and, it adds, the endangered Little Penguin population in Manly Cove West and Quarantine Beach.

The penguin excuse is lame, because at the same time the state government has ramped up fast ferry services to Manly. At the locations where anchoring bans are being considered there are (walking) 4-knot speed restrictions that prevent the nimble penguin from being struck. Dogs running wild off leashes are the real problem. After all, penguins nest under the ferry wharf.

Authorities point out that Seagrasses are protected from harm under the Fisheries Management Act 1994. North Harbour contains a supposedly endangered population of strapweed, Posidonia australis seagrass, which was recently listed under the Threatened Species Schedules of the Fisheries Management Act 1994.

Under the Fisheries Management Act 1994 it is an offence to "harm" marine vegetation, including seagrasses, without the authority of the Minister or another relevant public authority. It is also an offence to "harm" listed threatened species of marine vegetation or to damage their habitat. Significant penalties apply including possible jail terms for severe offences.

However, this sudden call to arms stems more from the fact that eco divers in Manly have launched a save-the-seagrass campaign. Divers regularly use these sites and would obviously prefer to have them to themselves and push powerboats further offshore. That will make the tender trip for boaters plainly dangerous.

A pic above shows the author's two kids asleep in a beach tent at Quarantine -- how do you safely get them and the gear ashore under the proposal?

The NSW Boating Industry Association and the NSW Boat Owners Association have since raised concerns with the limited consultation on the proposed boating restriction options with the broader boating community.

The three agencies have therefore agreed to undertake broader community consultation for a period of 30 days, via the release of this issue paper. After the consultation period closes, a submissions report will be prepared and final recommendations provided to the three Departments for consideration.

You can read more about the anchoring bans at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/431058/Issues-Paper-for-Public-Consultation.pdf.

Please take the time to comment on the proposal at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/info/seagrass/seagrass-online-submission-form.

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Anchoring bans on Sydney Harbour

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