Wednesday, December 3, 2014, saw the Marina Industry Association announce the successful accreditation of four more luxury yacht marinas as ‘Fish Friendly Marinas’, bringing the total now to 14. The new inclusions to the program are d’Albora Marinas Nelson Bay, The Anchorage Port Stephens, Coffs Harbour International Marina, as well as Gladesville Bridge Marina, a significant first in the western reach of Sydney Harbour, a lovely Australia yacht charter destination.

(l) Andrew Chapman, MIA President; Matt Hundleby & Colin Bransgrove, MIA

Fish Friendly accreditation is an information campaign and accreditation system focusing on marina fish habits and 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 President, Andrew Chapman CMM said, “Marinas can provide important habitat 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 these three facilities today which all hold Level 3 International Clean Marina status on their significant commitment to protecting and preserving their valuable marine habitat and communicating their efforts to customers and visitors,” Andrew said.

Matt Hundleby CMM, Marina Manager at Gladesville Bridge Marina (GBM) said the initiative is an important development and has particular significance for the western harbour and Parramatta River marine environment.“With years of heavy industry polluting their habitat, it is great to see man-made structures such as marinas become home to all sorts of marine life. The ‘Fish Friendly’ initiative helps to educate both the boater, and those that work on the water, about the importance of providing habitat, protecting and promoting fish stocks, and identifying marine pests.”

Bill Talbot, Director Aquaculture & Aquatic Environment, Primary Industries NSW, congratulated the four marinas for their 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.”

John Bradshaw CMM at d’Albora Marinas Nelson Bay said “we are proud to be accredited with this exciting initiative which supports our already active environmental program guided by Fisheries NSW. Together with The Anchorage Port Stephens 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.” Mr Bradshaw said.