National parks opposes diving fee plan

The National Parks Association of New South Wales has come out in opposition to a proposed fee for diving in critical habitats along the state's coast.

Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald last week proposed the fee, with money raised to go toward research to help preserve grey nurse sharks

But the association's marine projects officer, Nicky Hammond, says a better option would be to ban fishing in grey nurse shark habitats.

"So this species, they gather together at certain small areas along the coast of Australia and accidental hookings at these areas means that they're becoming infected," she said.

"They're unable to feed and consequently it's leading to a lot of deaths of the sharks.

"Now, just by eliminating fishing at these small areas, you can actually save the grey nurse shark population along the east coast."

Source: www.abc.net.au