In November 2001 the NSW Marine Parks Authority sought community feedback on a proposal to establish a large multiple-use marine park in the waters around Byron Bay.

The waters of the Byron Bay region contain examples of habitats that are not protected elsewhere in NSW waters. The proposed marine park would conserve samples of the marine biodiversity, marine ecosystems and special marine features of the Byron Bay region for the benefit of existing and future generations.

NPA fully supports the marine park proposal and also makes the following recommendations:

• The majority of the Marine Park to be protected in no-take marine sanctuary. Marine sanctuaries provide our best chance for a sustainable marine environment and are needed to ensure the protection of marine biodiversity and maintenance of productivity.
• The Park's boundaries be extended to the north to include the northern boundary of the Billinudgel Nature Reserve; and

• The Park's boundaries be extended to the south to include the Richmond River estuary and South Ballina Nature Reserve.