NSW Government currently canvassing support for commercial netting of Pine, Bonville, Boambee and Newports estuary creeks

Boambee Creek mouth at Cchange Adventure

NSW Baird Coalition Government’s proposed Reform Program For NSW Commercial Fishing:

Estuary General Fishery

Number of meshing nets 

 If managing the meshing share classes by the number of meshing and flathead nets, a meshing endorsement holder would be able to use one meshing net (or flathead net where relevant) up to a maximum length of 725 metres for every 125 meshing shares. A shareholding of 250 shares would allow the endorsement holder to use two meshing nets (or flathead nets where relevant) with a maximum length of 725 metres for each net. 

Length of meshing nets 

 If managing the meshing share classes by the maximum meshing and flathead net length, a meshing endorsement holder would be able to use up to a maximum of 725 metres of meshing net (or flathead net where relevant) for every 125 meshing shares. A shareholding of 250 shares would entitle the endorsement holder to use up to a maximum of 1,450 metres of meshing net (or flathead net where relevant). Alternatively, one share could equate to 5.8 metres of meshing net. A share holding of 125 shares would entitle the endorsement holder to use up to a maximum of 725 metres of meshing net (or flathead net where relevant). A shareholding of 150 shares would entitle the endorsement holder to use up to a maximum of 870 metres of meshing net (or flathead net where relevant), and so on.

All submission forms are due back by 8am Monday 19th May 2014 and forms for those who are not commercial fishers can be download here.

The Coffs Coast Advocate 8 May 2014:

A proposal to net large swathes of local creeks is ringing alarm bells among local users of the estuaries.

Sawtell resident and avid canoeist Rod Edwards said the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is currently canvassing support for the commercial netting of the Pine, Bonville, Boambee and Newports creeks.

He said the proposals in relation to the Pine and Bonville Creeks would be for netting to be allowed within the boundaries of the Bongil Bongil National Park for all species of fish as well as prawns.

Rod said the use of massive nets would be permitted, with the use of a method known as splashing allowed between sunset and sunrise from June to August.

"The proposal is to allow nets of a staggering 400m in length to be used," Rod said.

"This will decimate fish stocks and the amenity of recreational fishers.

"More importantly, it is within the National Park entirely for Pine Creek and east of the Highway for Bonville Creek. Native bird populations within the National Park which feed and are protected under current legislation will be directly affected if this proposal is allowed to be approved."….

Coffs Harbour City Council:

The Boambee/Newports Estuary has a roughly rectangular shape catchment area of approximately 49 km². It extends about 8 km from the coast with a coastal floodplain of approximately 3 km wide. It consists of three main tributaries: the largest being Newports Creek in the north; Boambee Creek is next largest and drains the middle portion of the catchment; and Cordwells Creek the smaller of the catchments drains the south. The Boambee/Newports Estuary is permanently open to the ocean and has no artificial entrance training works, as it is naturally trained by Boambee Headland on the southern side.