WEPA shares aspirations for our local harbour and gains insights from the Marine Parks Forum

WEPA representatives joined marine protection advocates and politicians at the NSW Marine Parks Forum, March 2026                                      Images courtesy of National Parks Association

The natural beauty of Willoughby encompasses 22 kilometres of precious foreshore habitat and marine ecosystems. These are critical for the survival of local wildlife, yet vulnerable to human activity and pollution. Willoughby Council is one of a number of harbour adjacent councils who are collaborating with the Sydney Coastal Councils Group (SCCG) in the development of an Outer Sydney Harbour Coastal Management Program.

WEPA recently lodged a submission providing SCCG with feedback on the issues and aspirations for our local harbour area. These included –

• Stricter regulation of recreational fishing to protect biodiversity and reduce pollution, including a call for more ’no-take’ reserves.
• Watercraft management
  • Expand ‘No wash’ zoning (less than 4knots) into all bays to protect seagrass beds, mangroves, foreshore habitat and indigenous heritage sites.
  • Replacement of heavy chain moorings with environmentally friendly systems that protect vital ecology on the harbour floor.
• Pollution mitigation
  • Improve Stormwater pollution management.
  • Synthetic turf education and regulation, including a ban on further field conversions to protect the health of the community and our local environment.
  • Microplastic pollution and data collection: An AUSMAP report measured a 3-fold increase in microplastics in 2022-2025 and recent EPA testing found Middle Harbour Creek to have a ‘very high’ concentration of microplastics, with 25% of particulate from synthetic turf. There should be ongoing testing at key sites in our catchment. Data should be transparent, publicly available on the Council website and integrated into reports and planning.
  • Stronger foreshore development controls to safeguard natural habitat and connectivity, prevent pollution escaping into the harbour, and prioritise visual amenity for the wider public benefit.
  • Improved pollution reporting, response, and penalties.

You can read our full submission here.

WEPA representatives Eva Coulam and Kristina Dodds also explored broader issues facing marine ecosystems at the recent annual NSW Marine Parks Forum. We heard from a range of marine ecology advocates and experts, who shared their experiences, findings and some stunning photography.

Here are our key takeaways from the day –

• NSW is disappointingly short of the 30% protection commitment made by the federal Government in July 2022. While our ‘paper parks’ might exceed this target, the majority lack the genuine protection from damaging and extractive activities, which is essential for positive biodiversity outcomes. Currently around 7% of NSW waters have effective sanctuary protection. Our most vulnerable areas must be prioritised, with consideration to the benefits of connectivity.
• ‘No-take’ reserves improve stock for the fishing community. Bigger fish = more eggs dispersed beyond the sanctuary.
• NSW Labor must reallocate the responsibility for marine parks from the Department of Primary Industry into the Environment portfolio for more ecologically aware decision-making and progress on marine protection.
• Government must also address the legacy of ecologically damaging planning decisions –
  • End invasive Mediterranean mussel farming in Jervis Bay.
  • Restore sanctuaries within the Batemans Marine Park that have been opened to fishing.
  • Stop unsustainable practices such as bottom trawling, offshore drilling, and seismic testing in Australian waters.
• Engage local communities to advocate for local action on protection – e.g. Fiordland Marine Guardians (NZ), #SaveParsleyBay and Wyargine Aquatic Friends who are advocating for a new reserve from Balmoral to Chinamans Beach.

NSW Labor recently announced generous funding for a new recreational fishing peak body and is focused on increasing fishing sites and participation. You can ‘Have your say’ here on the Draft Enhancing Recreational Fishing Plan before April 24 to let them know that marine protection must be prioritised ahead of ‘enhancing’ recreational fishing.

Your feedback might include – a call for more ‘no-take’ protected areas to promote healthy ecosystems and increased biodiversity which will have a greater impact than just tipping in more fish stock; restrict fishing adjacent to popular swimming locations, especially given increased shark activity in NSW waters; more funding into on the ground monitoring and compliance; education efforts to embrace indigenous knowledge and extend into the school curriculum and new citizen programs.

Government and industry must stop treating our waters as a resource that exists purely to provide, not one to protect. The science around effective protection is irrefutable. There is a wealth of data openly available to inform the design and implementation of adequate, comprehensive, and representative aquatic reserves. We urgently need Government to put more energy into creating more reserves and less into finding pathways to dodge their duty to protect.

Published April 13 2026