New public moorings for Sydney Harbour

In mid-2012, the NSW Department of Primary Industries (Fisheries Division), in collaboration with Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) and the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH), released an Issues Paper seeking the community’s views on possible anchoring restriction options to improve protection for seagrasses in Manly Cove West (pictured with yachts at anchor) and Quarantine Beach.

Seagrasses are protected from harm under the Fisheries Management Act 1994. North Harbour also contains one of the six endangered populations of strapweed, Posidonia australis seagrass, which is listed under the Threatened Species Schedules of the Fisheries Management Act 1994.

It is an offence to “harm” marine vegetation, including seagrasses, without the authority of the Minister. 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.

A total of 281 individual submissions were received on the Issues Paper.

The Submissions Report noted strong support for the protection of seagrasses from anchoring, but also noted the need for continued boating access to North Harbour for recreational and safety purposes.

A number of submissions noted that additional courtesy moorings, including the use of environmentally friendly moorings, should be considered.

In response, RMS has agreed to fund the placement of eight (8) courtesy moorings in total in North Harbour to be positioned at Manly Cove West and Quarantine Beach to allow continued temporary access to these sites.

The moorings, which will include up to five (5) environmentally friendly moorings, will reduce the potential for anchor damage to seagrasses in these areas. The mooring buoys will include signage to advise boaters to use them and to avoid anchoring in seagrass in the area. It is planned to deploy these moorings by August 2013. The exact location of the moorings is currently being determined in consultation with boating stakeholders.

Fisheries NSW and RMS will also work with boating groups to develop and implement an advisory program to increase the boating community’s awareness of the importance of seagrass and the need to avoid anchoring or other forms of harm to seagrasses in North Harbour and other coastal areas in NSW.

Fisheries NSW will continue to monitor the seagrass in North Harbour over the next five years to ensure that the new moorings and the advisory campaign are working effectively to protect seagrasses from anchoring impacts. If not, alternative options will be re-examined in consultation with relevant agencies, boating stakeholders and the community (e.g. restrictions, compliance).

Several submissions noted concerns with limiting boating access to the beach at Manly Cove West. In response the National Parks and Wildlife Service will consult with Manly Council on options to improve public safety and protection for the Little Penguins at Manly Cove West from shore-based boating access. No changes to boating access are proposed at present.

Read the full concluding report, submissions summary and more at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/habitat/boating-practices.