I strongly believe that we should object to this proposal. The reasons are listed below:

1: 50 ha (122 acres) of submerged cable structure presents a real danger to recreational users of Jervis Bay. Entanglements of marine mammals (e.g. whales, dolphins) in aquaculture infrastructure are also known to occur.

2: There will be visual pollution presented by 50 ha (122 acres) of floating buoys.

3: NSW Fisheries indicated that commercial aquaculture on this scale was not financially viable. Therefore the developer, which will eventually hold these leases, will seek to maximise the leases to the full 440 ha (1087 acres).

4: When Jervis Bay became a Marine Park, there was an allocation of 440 ha (1087 acres) for commercial aquacultureleases. It is obvious that any lease holder will seek to maximise their production. If we allow this 50 ha (122 acre) development, there is a real risk that we will end up with 440 ha (1087 acres) of aquaculture in the Bay within this decade.

5: Jervis Bay is a well known international sailing venue and has been for approx. 30 years. Sailing and other recreational water-based activities such as scuba diving and kayaking, contribute significantly to the local and regional economy. For instance in February 2014 it is estimated that sailing events alone, such as the Hobie World Titles, will contribute more than $1,000,000 to the local economy. The estimated gross turn over of the commercial aquaculture proposal of 50 ha, is a mere $173,000!!! Not only will the proposal contribute little to the local and regional economy, it may compromise attracting future national and international events such as the Hobie World Titles.

6: Jervis Bay has the "whitest sand in the world" and a number of the beaches have been recognised with "clean beach" awards. The Bay's beaches are one of our major tourism drawcards and the pride of all that have the opportunity to enjoy them. Foreshore and beach litter is known to occur as a result of aquaculture activities. Our clean and white beaches should be preserved.

7: Jervis Bay is the last body of water in proximity to Sydney that has no commercial aquaculture leases in place. The Bay is well known for its high water quality. The community, and governments, have fought for generations to protect Jervis Bay and keep it free from primary industry.

I object to this proposal as it will change the sealife, quality of life in a place that I plan to settle when I retire in the next few years. The wonderful sea life we have in Jervis Bay but also attract undesirable sea life and pollution. Callala Beach is never cleaned by our local council as it is pollution free except for sea weed and occasional dead fish and by adding more trawlers into our bay it will change the structure of a very beautiful beach which is basically unspoilt by mankind. Our town has already lost its post office, local shop and it will certainly not be bringing in any further business to the area, so I am sure that there must be another place in New South Wales that this can go. We also have to contend with the possibility of losing part of our beach to soil erosion and if this happens these aquacultural leases will not be just 1.5km and 1.9 km from the shore but closer. It will be a sad day to see no dolphins swimming passed Callala Beach and the bird life diving into the sea around this 7 km beach because of leases that will only employ a few people and the food from them will be propably be taken out of the area and not help the local community.

The below reasons are significant cause for concern for me:

1: 50 ha (122 acres) of submerged cable structure presents a real danger to recreational users of Jervis Bay. Entanglements of marine mammals (e.g. whales, dolphins) in aquaculture infrastructure are also known to occur.

2: There will be visual pollution presented by 50 ha (122 acres) of floating buoys.

3: NSW Fisheries indicated that commercial aquaculture on this scale was not financially viable. Therefore the developer, which will eventually hold these leases, will seek to maximise the leases to the full 440 ha (1087 acres). This is about 4 times the size of the whole Bayswood Vincentia development.

4: When Jervis Bay became a Marine Park, there was an allocation of 440 ha (1087 acres) for commercial aquacultureleases. It is obvious that any lease holder will seek to maximise their production. If we allow this 50 ha (122 acre) development, there is a real risk that we will end up with 440 ha (1087 acres) of aquaculture in the Bay within this decade.

5: Jervis Bay is a well known international sailing venue and has been for approx. 30 years. Sailing and other recreational water-based activities such as scuba diving and kayaking, contribute significantly to the local and regional economy. For instance in February 2014 it is estimated that sailing events alone, such as the Hobie World Titles, will contribute more than $1,000,000 to the local economy. The estimated gross turn over of the commercial aquaculture proposal of 50 ha, is a mere $173,000!!! Not only will the proposal contribute little to the local and regional economy, it may compromise attracting future national and international events such as the Hobie World Titles.

6: Jervis Bay has the "whitest sand in the world" and a number of the beaches have been recognised with "clean beach" awards. The Bay's beaches are one of our major tourism drawcards and the pride of all that have the opportunity to enjoy them. Foreshore and beach litter is known to occur as a result of aquaculture activities. Our clean and white beaches should be preserved.

7: Jervis Bay is the last body of water in proximity to Sydney that has no commercial aquaculture leases in place. The Bay is well known for its high water quality. The community, and governments, have fought for generations to protect Jervis Bay and keep it free from primary industry.

As I write this submission from my Callala Beach property, I am watching a family of dolphins swim by - so graceful and completely unaware of the intrusion about to potentially take place in their home. The dolphins will not be familiar with the new aquaculture farms, no doubt get tangled and be harmed. The large pod of dolphins currently living in the bay will surely want to relocate to safer waters. How dare man invade their home like this?

I am also watching the tourist boats and recreational boats go by; free to travel over the proposed aquaculture lease sites as they please. With the approval of these leases, this will be no longer. Their usual routes of travel will now need to be reviewed. They will need to renavigate their way through this area of Jervis Bay to avoid the heavy congestion caused by the aquaculture farm.

Callala Beach is said to have the whitest sand in the world. All year around it is clean and bright white with only the exception of shells and some occasional light sea weed. What will this aquaculture bring to the shores of the incredibly beautiful beaches surrounding Jervis Bay?

I am absolutely appalled and disgusted that this commercial shellfish aquaculture lease may actually proceed in one of NSW's, or perhaps the entire country's, most beautiful marine parks - a marine park which we thought was protected from such insensitive proposals.

What will happen to the tourism in Jervis Bay? Sure the lease is only proposed for 50ha but I'm am sure this is just the beginning and with time, should this proceed, the entire 440ha of zoned area available for commercial fishing will be utilised. This will be an absolute disaster.

50ha of farm aside, as I understand it, once this farm is in place there will be up to 3 (THREE!!) return boat trips to the farms per day. How will this be anything but negative for the bay? These service boats will greatly impact the bay - the animals living in it, the tourist and recreational boats, the kite surfers, paddle boarders, kayakers, and so on... Where will these service boats depart from? Another interruption to current activities at the nearby boat access points.

What will happen to the value of our beach front properties?

I am disgusted that we are being told the reason for this is because 'we are eating more shellfish and need a local source'.This is simply a money making scheme - one which will ruin this incredibly beautiful and pure marine park.

I was also extremely offended that NSW Fisheries displayed a huge platter of fresh shellfish at their recent 'drop-in session' at the Callala Beach Community Hall. Their bribing tactic did nothing but infuriate me.

I have read through the Environmental Impacts Statement and other related material on this site but I am yet to see an independent feasibility statement. Where is this and why has it not been developed yet?

Take this proposal elsewhere and leave the Jervis Bay Marine Park as it is - beautiful, pure and natural.

Jervis Bay deserves the highest level of environmental protection. The proposed aquaculture projects would be at odds with this. The EIS points to unacceptable negative impact on water quality. There would also be a health risk from the movement of shells to the beaches. The degrading of the amenity would affect tourism and property values. And for what benefit? I understand there would be insignificant economic gain from the proposed leases. Don't do it. Put protection of this unique place first.

I oppose the aquaculture lease off callala beach.
I believe our natural ecosystem which already exists will be altered due to the introduction of foreign materials.
Our dolphins can become easily tangled in nets.

A mussel farm was established in Twofold Bay in 1998. To date, there have been no records of whale, dolphin or seal entanglements despite the whale numbers increasing annually. There has been some episodes of mussel farm infrastructure (mainly buoys) washing onto local beaches after storm events. There has been no report of changes to shark numbers, shellfish faeces or similar on beaches. Eden Mussels are now marketed as such around the region and during the recent Eden Whale Festival, a number of people learnt how to cook recipes using local mussels. As far as our organisation is aware, there is no scientific or empirical evidence of any major negative impact on the environment or to the tourism industry in the Eden/Twofold Bay region as a result of mussel farming in the bay.

I wish to object to the proposed commercial shellfish aquaculture proposal in Jervis Bay.
I have grown up in the Jervis Bay area and adore the pristine waters.
As well as being a member of the Vincentia Sailing Club, I surf, snorkel, run along the beaches and fish.
The proposal for the aquaculture would pose many limitations to the hobbies I enjoy.
It would interfere with our sailing courses, interfere with snorkelling and fishing and I imagine it to be quite a disturbing scent at times, something as unattractive as a commercial shellfish aquaculture would not suit the beautiful bay, it would be an eyesore. I strongly object to the proposal and am sure many other members of the Jervis Bay community have the same opinion. I hope you consider my judgement and take into account the consequences it will pose on the beautiful area of Jervis bay.

Although our community needs development;
- it must not conflict with of the beauty of Jervis Bay.
- It must draw people to the area who spend, enjoy, leave and recommend it
- the proceeds of the development must largely stay within the community

It appears the proposal only meets the last point and therefore should not be allowed.

If this proposal goes ahead it will have a detrimental effect on Jervis Bay forever.
My reasons for objecting to this proposal are listed below:

1: 50 ha (122 acres) of submerged cable structure presents a real danger to recreational users of Jervis Bay.
Entanglements of marine mammals (e.g. whales, and the 80-odd dolphins who use the bay) in aquaculture infrastructure are also known to occur.

2: There will be visual pollution presented by 50 ha (122 acres) of floating buoys.

3: NSW Fisheries indicated that commercial aquaculture on this scale was not financially viable. Therefore the developer, which will eventually hold these leases, will seek to maximise the leases to the full 440 ha (1087 acres).

4: When Jervis Bay became a Marine Park, there was an allocation of 440 ha (1087 acres) for commercial aquaculture leases. It is obvious that any lease holder will seek to maximise their production. If we allow this 50 ha (122 acre) development, there is a real risk that we will end up with 440 ha (1087 acres) of aquaculture in the Bay within this decade.
5: Jervis Bay is a well known international sailing venue and has been for approximately 30 years. Sailing and other recreational water-based activities such as scuba diving and kayaking, contribute significantly to the local and regional economy. For instance in February 2014 it is estimated that sailing events alone, such as the Hobie World Titles, will contribute more than $1,000,000 to the local economy. The estimated gross turn over of the commercial aquaculture proposal of 50 ha, is a mere $173,000. Not only will the proposal contribute little to the local and regional economy, it may compromise attracting future national and international events such as the Hobie World Titles.

6: Jervis Bay has the "whitest sand in the world" and a number of the beaches have been recognised with "clean beach" awards. The Bay's beaches are one of our major tourism drawcards and the pride of all that have the opportunity to enjoy them. Foreshore and beach litter is known to occur as a result of aquaculture activities. Our clean and white beaches should be preserved.

7: Jervis Bay is the last body of water in proximity to Sydney that has no commercial aquaculture leases in place. The Bay is well known for its high water quality. The community, and governments, have fought for generations to protect Jervis Bay and keep it free from primary industry. Please reject this threat to our valuable, pristine environment, which offers so much to so many in its current state.