Fishing Australia

South Coast locals and visitors are invited to come and enjoy the free discovery activities at Jervis Bay Marine Park these school holidays. NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI), Jervis Bay Marine Park Officer, Sue Brown, says the program is family friendly and free of charge, but places are limited so bookings are recommended.

“This year we will explore rocky shores, estuaries, shipwreck sites and local Aboriginal heritage, and all activities are suitable for families,” Ms Brown said.

“The Jervis Bay Marine Park spans more than 100 kilometres of stunning coastline and adjacent ocean between Kinghorn Point in the north and Sussex Inlet in the south.

“It is home to a unique range of marine life, including the weedy seadragon, eastern blue devil fish, migrating whales, bottlenose dolphins, little penguins, fur seals and the endangered grey nurse shark.

“The guides enjoy sharing their knowledge of the park’s complex intertidal plant and animal communities, rich maritime history and traditional Aboriginal practices, as well as some of the unique geological features of Tapalla Point in Huskisson.”

“One of our most popular walks visits the site where the SS Merimbula was shipwrecked at Currarong in 1908,” Ms Brown said.

“Children love investigating what lies beneath the surface of the Currambene Creek sandflats, which swarm with soldier crabs that are always a big hit.

“At our Huskisson office, we also offer free Jervis Bay Marine Park marine education kits which help you to explore the coastline at your leisure.

“These education kits include great activities for the kids and a DVD featuring many of the animals found in the marine park.”

Program:
• Explore the tidal pools, dropstones, glendonite beds and weathering patterns of the rocky shore in the Huskisson Sanctuary Zone on Boxing Day, January 2 and January 7.
• Habitat and Aboriginal heritage of estuaries around Currambene Creek Mudflats Sanctuary Zone will be explored on New Year’s Day, and January 10 and 16.
• Maritime history and Aboriginal heritage will feature at a walk to Whale Point where the wreck of the Merimbula rests on January 3, 9 and 19.

For more information or to book call the Jervis Bay Marine Park office on (02) 4428 3000.

New camping arrangements at Meroo National Park this summer
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) advises summer visitors that changes have been made at some camping areas in Meroo National Park south of Tabourie Lake Village to conserve the coastal environment. Visitors to Meroo are advised to check with the Ulladulla NPWS office before planning their camping trip this summer if they are intending to go to Termeil Point, Sunburnt Beach or Stokes Island. NPWS Ulladulla Area Manager Neale Watson says restricting vehicle access to Sunburnt Beach, pulling camping back from water edges at Termeil Point, and stopping camping at Stokes Island are necessary changes to protect the fragile coastal environment.

“NPWS still provides a range of camping opportunities for visitors to Meroo National Park but camping has become so popular, changes were necessary to ensure it can continue well into the future,” Mr Watson said.

“These changes were canvassed during the development of the plan of management for the park and complement improvements already undertaken at Meroo Head.

“Sunburnt Beach camping area is now a walk-in camping area with visitors parking their vehicles and walking between 50 and 150 metres to their campsites.

“Vehicle-based bush camping continues to be provided at Termeil Point with significant changes to protect sensitive areas, including pulling campsites back from the lake edge.

“To improve camping amenity, a toilet has been provided at Termeil Point and another is planned for the Sunburnt Beach camping area,” Mr Watson said.

“The informal camping that has been occurring on Stokes Island will no longer be permitted due to the illegal cutting down of trees, heavy impacts on ground vegetation and soil erosion.

“NPWS plans to provide low key facilities for day visitors to Stokes Island in the near future.

“Meroo National Park offers fantastic opportunities to enjoy bush camping right next to the coastline, and the new camping arrangements are designed to ensure this can continue into the future,” Mr Watson said.

Campers planning to stay at Termeil Point, Sunburnt Beach or Stokes Island in Meroo National Park this summer, should contact the NPWS Ulladulla office on 4454 9500 for further information.

See you on the water.
Rob Paxevanos