New marker buoys show Bowen Island Sanctuary Zone within Jervis Bay

The sanctuary zone extends 100m from the western side of Bowen Island and forms a safe-haven for marine biodiversity within the Booderee National Park waters of Jervis Bay, protecting important marine habitats and threatened species.

Booderee National Park operations manager Matt Hudson said the new marker buoys were a clear visual sign for fishers and boaters that they’re entering a conservation area.

“We know most people make a real effort to look after the marine environment but sometimes the exact location of where fishing is permitted, isn’t clear. These marine markers will help to eliminate that confusion,” Mr Hudson said.

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“It has always been a sanctuary zone, ever since the first plan of management when the park was returned to the Wreck Bay community.

“But it has never been marked accordingly.

“There is a now a line of marine markers consistent with the other sanctuary zone markers around Jervis Bay.

“Hopefully it will help to let people know they are not allowed to fish in that zone.

“This is a high-value conservation area that’s home to a variety of marine species including critically endangered grey nurse sharks.

“In summer these sharks aggregate in the sanctuary zone and unlawful fishing activities pose a serious threat to the species.

“We’re all responsible for keeping these marine habitats healthy, and raising awareness of the Bowen Island Sanctuary Zone will help enhance protection of this area.

“You can go into the sanctuary zone in boats but you definitely can’t fish or anchor.”

The new markers are bright yellow in colour and also carry the Booderee sea eagle logo,  the no fishing icon and are clearly marked as a sanctuary zone. They also have a solar light that comes on at night to help navigation.

Booderee National Park and the Jervis Bay Marine Park have been closely monitoring compliance and unlawful activity in marine zones this summer.

Jervis Bay Marine Park manager Ian Kerr said NSW Department of Primary Industries was working closely with Booderee National Park and Parks Australia staff to protect the conservation values of sanctuary zones.

“This region supports over 230 algae, hundreds of invertebrate and over 210 reef fish species, and sharks, rays, many marine mammals, birds and reptiles, including several threatened species, and we want this to continue for generations to come,” Mr Kerr said.

New maps of the Jervis Bay Marine Park and Booderee National Park waters clearly showing protected areas in and around Jervis Bay are being distributed to boaters and fishers in the area.

These maps are available from various locations including the visitor centres at Booderee National Park, the Marine Park and the Lady Denman Museum, fishing and bait shops, and tourism service centres in Jervis Bay and St George Basin.

Fishers and boaters are also encouraged to download the NSW Department of Primary Industry’s FishSmart NSW mobile app.

The app details the protected areas of Jervis Bay, including the Bowen Island Sanctuary Zone in Booderee National Park waters, and allowable activities in those areas.