The call has been made by opposition primary industries spokesman Duncan Gay, who spoke about recreational fishing and a proposed marine park – from Crowdy Head to Lake Cathie – at a meeting in Port Macquarie last night.

Mr Gay said NSW coastal communities would suffer if state Labor indulged in the non-government conservation group, National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) plans to increase marine sanctuaries by 300 per cent this year.

“The NSW Liberals and Nationals strongly believe that the creation of any future marine parks or marine sanctuaries need to be based on proper scientific research and community consultation,” Mr Gay said.

“For too long this state Labor government has tried to hoodwink the public into thinking our marine environments are properly protected by the zoning plans in the current marine parks.

“State Labor has taken the easy way out and focused only on restricting fishing.

“Instead, the government needs to address the real threats to our coastline, which include pollution, introduced species and disease, some agricultural substances and inappropriate coastal development.”

NPA, supported by various conservation groups, stakeholders and individuals, is working to achieve a world-class marine sanctuaries network for NSW.

Mr Gay said the state government had spent more than $33 million of taxpayers’ money on marine parks during the past three years, but failed to show the public any cost-effective benefits.

“If it was truly serious about protecting our marine life, the Keneally Labor government would commit to doing the proper scientific research on all of NSW’s marine environments,” Mr Gay said.

NPA marine program manager Nicky Hammond said there already was scientific research to support the increase in sanctuaries and Mr Gay’s argument was flawed.

“There have been scientific studies in Australia and elsewhere that support marine parks and sanctuaries,” Ms Hammond said.

“It’s been proven that these areas will have more fish, larger fish which are better breeders, more stable populations, especially in the face of climate change to deal with pressures.”

Ms Hammond said six marine parks in NSW had both protected and fishing areas.