THE St George Motor Boat Club (SGMBC) has been officially recognised as a “Fish Friendly Marina” by the Marina Industry Association (MIA) and is the first facility in Sydney’s southern region to achieve this status.
The club, situated on the Georges River adjacent to Botany Bay is now the 16th “Fish Friendly” accredited marina in Australia to participate in the information campaign and accreditation program launched in 2013. The program focuses on marina fish habits and was developed by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in collaboration with the Marina Industries Association (MIA) and the NSW Boating Industry Association (BIA).
The initiative is attached to MIA’s International Clean Marinas Program and is available to marinas across the Asia Pacific region. Additional fish friendly criteria and an audit are requirements to achieve Fish Friendly Marina accreditation. The initiative has received positive support from numerous government departments and authorities across Australia.
MIA executive officer Colin Bransgrove said: “Marinas can provide important habitats for fish and the ‘Fish Friendly Marinas’ program has been developed to inform marina managers on how to maximise the benefits for fish and recognise those operators actively working to improve fish habitat.”
“I congratulate St George Motor Boat Club, which holds Level 3 International Clean Marina status, on its significant commitment to protecting and preserving their valuable marine habitat and communicating their efforts to customers and visitors,” Bransgrove said.
Bill Talbot, director Aquaculture & Aquatic Environment, Primary Industries NSW in presenting the certification to the Club, also congratulated the marina for its efforts in gaining “Fish Friendly” status.
“The rapid uptake of the Fish Friendly Marinas program has been exceptional” said Mr Talbot. “The Marina Industry Association, Boating Industry Association and individual accredited marinas are providing a shining example of industry best practice and environmental stewardship,” said Talbot.
Mark Norden, SGMBC’s marina manager said “we are proud to be accredited with this exciting initiative and we are committed to ensuring our marina is of the highest environmental standard through participation in programs such as Clean Marinas. We have all fully embraced the opportunity to meet the fish friendly criteria,” Norden said.
