Hyde family calls for new Port Macquarie wharf, boardwalk to honour fishing legend Cec Hyde

Building of the $4 million state government-funded project is expected to be completed in early 2021.

The new wharf will revitalise an important stretch of the coastal linkages between Westport Park and the beaches.

It replaces the old Hastings River Fishermen's Co-operative and will include a new fishermen's wharf, an unloading jetty, two new large mooring berths, an extension of the boardwalk along Kooloonbung Creek and the realignment of the existing rock revetment.

Transport for NSW executive director Mark Hutchings said the naming of the new wharf was still under discussion.

"Transport for NSW's project to build a new commercial wharf on the Hastings River foreshore is due for completion in the first half of next year," he said.

"The name of the new wharf has not yet been decided.

"Transport for NSW will consider ideas for the naming of the new wharf closer to completion and may involve the community in this process."

Along with the Radley family, the Hyde family worked in the fish packing room, which eventually ended up becoming the Hastings River Fisherman's Co-operative.

Mr Hyde was a fourth generation fisher and before his sudden passing in 2017, was the longest active fisherman in Port Macquarie.

He followed his father onto the then Fishermen's Co-operative board and would eventually become its longest serving board member and director.

The co-operative was a real family concern with Cec's wife Pam, son Wayne and brother Phillip also involved at a shop which was originally situated where the former Food for Less building was on the corner of Short and William streets.

At these premises the family was involved in cooking fresh fish and chips, shucking oysters, filleting fish and selling products.

When Phillip wanted to leave the industry he sold his licence and fishing gear so Cec's son Paul - a fifth generation fisherman - could join the industry.

Paul would also follow in the family traditions becoming the final board director of the Co-op until it closed its doors in May 2016.

Cecil was also committed to the wider fishing industry and, along with good friend Ross Dobson, would undertake a tremendous amount of work and hands-on research into water pollution that was occurring in a back creek at Blackmans Point.

This later resulted in the findings of acid sulphate soil.

Cecil and Ross continued on other fishing-related projects including working together with Port Macquarie Council in the findings and solutions to sustain and resolve further issues.

Cecil's daughter, Kerrie Charry is supportive of the naming of the project in her father's memory.

"He never stopped voicing his opinions of the industry and how it could improve," she said.

"He was a voice for the local fisherman. He stood by his beliefs."

Cecil and Ross also worked with NSW Fisheries after they became concerned of the growth of the local Lake Cathie and Lake Innes prawns, resulting in water quality issues and problem with prawns' growth and life span.

"Fisheries regularly spent time out on the water with dad and Ross where they invested time and energy into testing and researching."

Cecil became one of the first people in NSW to hold a European Carp Eradication Licence.

During this time he worked extensively with and for NSW Fisheries throughout Victoria and NSW.

"He also helped NSW Fisheries at Chaffy Dam and Lake Keepit eradicating the carp to help improve the natives fish species as the carp were destroying the food supply, local golf courses and farmers' dams and ponds."

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