The NSW government's decision to ditch its plans for expanding marine sanctuaries in the coastal waters around Sydney is politically inept and environmentally irresponsible. It is also not in the long-term interests of the fishers who have complained about it.

The proposal for a marine park in the shelf between Newcastle and Wollongong was the result of five years of analysis. Careful not to antagonise the tens of thousands of recreational fishers who use the so-called Hawkesbury coastal shelf, the government deliberately decided it would not create a huge contiguous marine park for the whole area as it had off Batemans Bay and Port Stephens. Instead the proposed marine park zones would cover small areas, only about 2.5 per cent of the coastal waters, compared to about a quarter of the area in the other parks.

MP for Coogee Bruce Notley-Smith, Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton launching the marine park concept. Credit:AAP

The idea was to protect only specific areas, such as Long Reef on Sydney's northern beaches, that were important for endangered species. The consultation left even the fate of those zones open and invited discussion of whether particular zones would be total no-go sanctuaries or face some lighter regulation.

Recreational anglers argue their actions are not the main threat to fish stocks. But there is good evidence that weekend anglers can add to strain on the sensitive intertidal zones and seagrass beds which are under threat from other causes.