Speed restrictions proposed near Lion Island

The NSW Government's Marine Park proposal includes a new special purpose zone, covering a 45 hectare area within 200 metres of Lion Island.

A new boating speed restriction would be imposed, as well as restrictions on hand gathering and collecting of marine vegetation.

Commercial fishing would continue subject to existing NSW commercial fishing rules and regulations.

According to the site specific information provided by the NSW Government for the Lion Island Special Purpose Zone, the island was dedicated as a fauna reserve in 1956.

It was reclassified as a nature reserve under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.

"No specific spatial management arrangements are in place other than existing regulations that generally apply to activities in the marine estate, such as NSW fishing rules and restrictions," according to the site-specific information.

"The primary objective for the proposed Lion Island site is to reduce risks to identified threatened and protected species of the bioregion.

"The waters surrounding Lion Island are important for the little penguin (eudyptula minor), which is listed as a threatened species under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

"The area has significance to the local aboriginal communities.

"Spiritual sites and evidence of past cultural use, including shell middens, have been recorded."

The new vessel speed restriction would be eight knots in all waters within 200 metres of Lion Island to reduce the chance of vessel strike to little penguins.

"Lion Island was identified as having conservation value during community engagement."

SOURCE:

Website, 5 Sep 2018

Hawkesbury Shelf assessment, NSW Marine Estate