The Hon Katrina Hodgkinson MP Minister for Primary Industries Minister for Small Business

MEDIA RELEASE Monday 18 March 2013

TEN TIPS FOR MAKING MARINAS FISH FRIENDLY Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson and local member for Vaucluse Gabrielle Upton today launched Fish Friendly Marinas, a new initiative to improve fish habitats at NSW marinas. “Fish Friendly Marinas has been developed to inform marina managers on how to maximise the benefits for native fish and recognise those operators actively working to improve fish habitats,” Ms Hodgkinson said. The ten tips for a Fish Friendly Marina are: 1. Make your infrastructure fish friendly; 2. Find out about your local fish and their habitats; 3. Keep invaders out; 4. Manage your stormwater; 5. Manage your waste; 6. Manage your chemical, oil, fuel and fire risks; 7. Look after your seagrass and other sensitive fish habitat; 8. Educate your customers; 9. Don’t disturb the natives; and 10. Promote your marina’s fish friendly activities. “The NSW Government is proud to support the Fish Friendly Marinas initiative because we recognise the economic and social importance of marinas and the boating industry, along with the habitats that marinas provide for fish,” Ms Hodgkinson said. Ms Upton said this initiative delivers benefits to marina businesses, those who visit marinas and the community. Marina Industries Association’s Vice Chairman, Darren Vaux, said the Fish Friendly Marinas initiative is an excellent example of Government and industry working together to enhance the environment. “Fish Friendly Marinas will be incorporated into Marina Industries Association’s International Clean Marinas Program, thereby taking this fantastic NSW product to the rest of Australia and the Asia Pacific region,” Ms Hodgkinson said. “Marinas that qualify as fish friendly will display accreditation signs at marina entrances and distribute educational material to customers and visitors.”

Fish Friendly Marinas has been developed by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in collaboration with the Marina Industries Association and the NSW Boating Industry Association. This initiative builds on the successful programs Fish Friendly Council and Fish Friendly Farms. For more information visit: www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au