Conservation groups have renewed their call for a total ban on the use of witches hats as a recreational crab fishing method in the Port Stephens Marine Park. EcoNetwork-Port Stephens and the newly formed Marine Parks Association (MPA) have commended the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) for finally taking action to modify some crab fishing techniques in a one-year trial. “However, the new regulations don’t go far enough,” said Dr Bruce Pease, President of EcoNetwork

We are a new environmental group in Port Stephens, affiliated with Econetwork Port Stephens. The Marine Parks Association was established by a group of concerned marine scientists and citizens to provide a community-based platform for the support of marine parks and sustainable marine resource management through research, education and advocacy across all sectors of the community. The aim of the Marine Parks Association is to support and implement community based research, e