As a passionate band of Pittwater locals push to turn Mona Vale’s Bongin Bongin Bay into an aquatic reserve, anglers and spearfishers argue that this will take away their right to the waters.
Nestled between the towering sandstone and shale cliffs of Bungan and Mona Vale heads, Bongin Bongin is one of the few beaches in the Peninsula that retains that undiscovered feel, due in part to steep, tricky access and lack of accessible parking. It is this Robinson Crusoe vibe that local group, the Friends of Bongin Bongin Bay (FBB), adore and what they are desperately seeking to protect for future generations. Evolved from the long-running ocean swimming group, the Mona Vale Dawnbusters, the FBB comprises a loyal band of swimmers, surfers and surf-life savers – many of whom swim across the bay every day – who are pushing to establish an aquatic reserve in the vein of Manly’s pristine Cabbage Tree Bay.
Known originally by its Aboriginal name, Bongin Bongin, or ‘Many Shells,’ Mona Vale Basin is stirring fierce debate amongst locals, some of whom fear for the future of the stunning surf beach and its rich marine life, while others protest that their rights to fish there, holds just as much water.
The FBB’s Greg Pride tells Peninsula Living Pittwater that his group is a ‘bunch of passionate locals who care about their environment.’ FBB has been pressuring Northern Beaches Council (NBC) to lobby the State Government to establish the reserve, which would draw a line under fishing-related activities. “This would protect local marine biodiversity now and into the future,” says Greg, a father-of-four who has lived in the area for 44 years.
“We strongly believe this unique environment is worthy of protection, as we regularly see stingrays, dolphins, sharks, octopus and even migrating whales.”
Keep Sydney Fishing’s Steve Collopy believes that the bay should be for everyone.
The group – which has no political affiliation and is self-funded – believes that fishing and the collection of crustaceans, shellfish and vegetation from the foreshore is having a ‘catastrophic impact’ on the bay’s biodiversity and the local ecosystem. Aside from the protection aspect, there are other positive ‘potential spin-offs’ to the reserve concept, adds Greg, highlighting Cabbage Tree Bay’s success. “From its conversion from a virtual marine desert 21 years ago, to now becoming a snorkelling hotspot and one of Trip Adviser’s ‘Top Ten Things to Do’ in Sydney, the tourist and educational benefits are clear,” he says.
The group also believes that the ‘spillover’ effect of dedicating the area as a strict ‘no-take zone,’ would in-turn boost adjacent fishing spots, allowing them to profit from the nearby over-production of fish.
This, however, is not a belief shared by everyone, including Steve Collopy from the Keep Sydney Fishing group, who argues that the vast majority of fishermen have huge respect for waterways. “The selective hunting method used by most is about taking what we need, and respecting where it came from,” he tells Peninsula Living Pittwater.
Steve, who has created a 2,000-strong Change.org petition railing against the reserve, argues that there ‘was no consultation or consideration’. The proposal has ‘no scientific merit,’ he says, and paints fishermen as the problem, ‘locking us out on the basis of protection, despite there being no evidence or proof’ it is having a negative impact’.
“Why are we, as fee-paying anglers, subject to such discrimination?”
Steve Collopy, Keep Sydney Fishing
“The bay’s environment is thriving despite recreational line and spearfishing. Why are we, as fee-paying anglers who pay to support their environment, subject to such discrimination?” he asks.
One of the signatories of the Keep Sydney Fishing petition is long-time local, Paul Welsh, who helped to found the original Dawnbusters club in 1979, along with a fishing club, the Dawnprawns. Paul says that the club he loves has ‘now come to haunt him.’ “I have lived in Mona Vale for 35 years and the club was a great success – swimmers and fishermen in unison. I have long fished the bay to feed my family and now, ill-informed decisions are being made and dividing a community,” he says.
But the Friends of Bongin Bongin Bay say that they have ‘made repeated efforts to address concerns with those not in favour, particularly local small businessmen reliant on recreational fishing for their livelihoods. The friends claim they have been told there is ‘no common ground to discuss’. The FBB’s 2,900-strong petition led to a submission in favour of the reserve and was handed to the NBC in May.
There is little doubt that the bay is tightly held, by the swimmers striking out against the rising sun, the surfers chasing that break of dreams and the fishermen casting for the perfect catch. While the Friends of Bongin Bongin look to preserve this enclave by drawing a line in the sand for some, the fishing community believes it is making use of the waters as its original Garigal inhabitants intended.
By Catherine Lewis