Signs Go Up comfirming lifted ban
Update July 2022
In late March, 2022, it was noticed by local beachgoers to Marino Rocks that there was some unwanted activity occurring - spearfishers were descending on the beach in droves and appeared to be spearing anything living that they could find in the water. Dusky morwongs are slow and easy to kill, no matter that they are not good to eat - one was just left to rot on the walkway. A group of concerned locals checked up and found that Outer Harbor and Marino - Christies Beach had just been opened up to spearfishing by the then-Minister for Primary Industry, David Basham, overturning a 30-year ban along the whole Adelaide coast, just before the state elections. This was purportedly after community consultation but in fact very few people including 5049CC even heard of the proposed change until after it was passed. Confusion was increased by the fact that new signage was only put up a month later and it was then seen that spearfishing within 100m of the boat ramp is illegal but by then habits were set and spearfishers frequent the ramp - unless an inspector is actually present!
Rob George, on behalf of the local "reinstate the ban group" penned a letter to PIRSA and Minister Basham, copied to David Speirs, asking them to reconsider and Lynda Yates started a petition to reinstate the ban on www.change.org/Restore_Adelaide_Spearfishing_Ban which now has nearly 1,400 supporters. The Advertiser wrote 2 articles that looked at the issue from both sides. The response to Rob's letter and one sent by 5049CC was disappointing - that spearfishing is a sustainable way of fishing (although we pointed out that no monitoring is being done to ensure that this is so, even with the huge number of spearfishers active there) and that the community consultation had shown support for spearfishing. However, we know that both Marion and Onkaparinga Councils did not want this change nor did the few environment groups asked and that the then-Minister's Advisory Panel had a chair who was President of several spearfishing groups, that he had already asked for this change to allow spearfishing on the urban coast, that many spearfishing clubs were consulted in the 'community' consultation, that most coastal residents were not and that the consultation results have not been released at any time to show the actual results.
5049CC supported Rob George and the locals. On 31st May, Lynda Yates wrote to the new Ministers of Primary Industry and the Environment, Ministers Scriven and Close on behalf of 5049 CC . Rob George has also written to them too. We received a reply that the issue was the concern of Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Minister Hildyard, and that our letter was being redirected to her but we have not had a reply. It seems no one from the new State Government wants to alter this decision by the previous Liberal State Government.
read more + links to letters
Spearfishing was banned on the whole Adelaide metro coast for 30 years up until a few weeks ago when the rules were changed to open up 2 areas, despite minimal consultation by PIRSA and ignoring the negative responses from the councils and groups they did consult with. One area is at Outer Harbor but the other is in 5049 - south of Kingston Park to Hallett Cove and includes Marino Rocks.
Spearfishing groups had lobbied for this change, saying it would be of economic value to the coastal communities. This seems unlikely as it will probably decrease coastal visits by families, swimmers, snorkelers and divers to these areas. The spear fishers are killing marine creatures at an unsustainable rate so that the sea there is becoming a dead zone. Apart from not wanting their children to see fish being speared, parents are worried that spears are being left uncapped on the ground so the sharp tips are a danger to children and dogs playing there.
5049 Coastal Community has written a letter to the minister responsible for the change, Minister David Basham, Minster for Primary Industries and has copied that to Minister David Speirs, Minister for the Environment. Lynda Yates has also started a petition which can be found using this link.
After 30 years the restriction on spearfishing in Kingston Park, Marino and Hallett Cove has been removed. This has occurred without consultation with the community and against council recommendations.(see below)
Help reinstate the ban by scanning the QR code below and signing the petition to reinstate the ban. Help protect our local marine life and keep this spot a fabulous, safe place to snorkel and for everyone to enjoy
- See this video by Rob George Underwater at Marino Rocks
Local Campaigner and Knowledgeable local Greg Westlake
"The Spear fishers claim that spearfishing is more sustainable than line fishing has no basis in fact. It is important to understand the difference between the species that will take a hook and those that are speared. The fish taken with lines are largely pelagic and migratory. Their numbers are monitored because they are targeted by the commercial fishing industry.
Anybody who has done spearfishing knows that pelagic fish are way too fast to get within the range of a spear. The fish speared are the colorful benthic territorial reef fish. Nobody is monitoring the conservation status of reef fish in any meaningful way.
The only rocky-reefy shoreline that is close for the children of Adelaide to go snorkeling and see colorful reef fish is the section that has just been opened to spearfishing. Reef fish are not seen along the sandy sections of coast. I have enjoyed snorkeling the Marino-Hallett Cove shores for more than 40 years. There has been a significant decline in the number of fish but there are at least a few left for children to enjoy when snorkeling."
PIRSA published an article in their newsletter here , 5049 Campaign lead Lynda Yates response to PIRSA ref Article March 2022 here
| 5049_letter_to_minister_david_basham.pdf |
| fisheries_letter_to_5049_coastal_community.pdf |
| letter_to_mr_johns_spearfishing_regulations_20220311.pdf |
| onkaparinga_council_summary_of_rejection.png |
| 5049_reinstate_the_ban_Flyer-march_2022.pdf |
| 5049_letter_to_minister_scriven_.pdf |
