Reece Whitby letter
PROPOSING A SOUTHERN COASTAL MARINE PARK from BREMER BAY TO SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BORDER
Firstly I grew up on a farming property at Cascade, 90 kms northwest of Esperance from [dates removed for privacy].
We lived 30kms from the beach, all of our holidays were spent camping & fishing at the local beaches which were of close proximity to our farm.
We weren’t able to venture far from our family farm “[name removed for privacy]” because we needed to attend to the wellbeing of our sheep, sheep dogs, chooks & horses.
Going fishing & camping with friends was a wonderful outlet and I believe it has had great mental health benefits for our farming, sheep shearing, trucking, employees & all local business families who live in the region.
The area has been faced with catastrophic fires, loss of loved ones fighting fires, drought & sheep market price plunges.
Not only has the region benefited from our beautiful beaches so has the wider Kalgoorlie eg miners & station owners since the gold rush days of 1893.
I believe it is of significant value for people’s health & well being that they are able to continue to fish & use the beautiful coast line that our area has been able to offer.
The vast area you propose for a Marine Park is not overly populated unlike other parts of the warmer north where numbers swell during most of the year.
The proposed “Southern Coastal Marine Park” (of over 1,000km’s) would have a detrimental impact on the lives and lifestyle of those living in the area from Bremer Bay to the South Australian border.
Limited fishing and recreational use would have a large impact on people’s mental health and suicide in the area which already suffers as a result living in this remote location.
Our family still enjoys the beautiful nature that Esperance has to offer and its unique unpopulated coastline.
Shark numbers have increased significantly since 1995.
They are top of the food chain and have between 1-20 pups/pregnancy & can live up to 60 years of age.
This puts an unbalanced number on our ecosystem decreasing fish numbers. A major concern to our sea life and human life.
I do hope you take into consideration some of the important points I have outlined.
Have you consulted the entire Bremer Bay to South Australian border community?
I look forward to hearing proof & evidence from you that has made this decision necessary.
Kind regards