Fishery Bay Surf reserve dedication 2025

The following is a copy of the speech presented at the dedication by National Surfing Reserve board member Andy Short.

Fishery Bay source: google images

Good morning distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen and fellow surfers and thank you Ngahuia. My name is Andy Short and I'm here representing National Surfing Reserves, of which I am a board member and was a co-founder along with my colleagues Brad Farmer back in 2005. Also representing the NSR here is another board member Susan Tracey. Since 2005 NSR has guided the dedication of 23 surfing reserves around Australia- in Queensland NSW Victoria WA and of course here in South Australia Fishery Bay is the fifth dedicated in this state, joining Daly Head at the tip of the Yorke Peninsula, Point Sinclair out in the Wild West, mid-coast just South of Adelaide and the Encounter Coast on the Fleurieu Peninsula, and South Australia second only to NSW in the number of reserves. Given that there are over 12,000 beaches around the coast becoming a reserve highlights its special status for surfing and for surfers.

So what does this mean becoming a surfing reserve. To become a surfing reserve a location must satisfy the following four criteria.

1. A location with consistent good surf.

2. A place considered `sacred’ by the local surfers and wider community.

3.  Longterm usage of the beach and wave environment by the local community

4. Strong support from the local community and land managers

In addition, the following are desirable

·         A site that is contributed to the broader Australian surfing culture

·         A location with significant geological marine and cultural features

·         Desire to protect and enhance the integrity of coastal environment and its recreational resources

Since I first travelled to serve the South Australian coast nearly 60 years ago I have returned to your long and beautiful coast many times and first visited Fishery Bay more than 40 years ago. When we receive the Fishery Bay surfing reserve nomination, I already knew immediately that this was a special place. With the wild Sleaford beach and massive dunes to the east and the stunning cliffs of Whalers Way to the West, the Bay is a somewhat sheltered gem in the middle of this rugged and wild and dangerous coast, bookmarked by aptly named Cape Catastrophe and Point Avoid.

The nomination itself was outstanding, not just confirming the quality surf and natural beauty, but showing just how much the local and wider community love and utilised the Bay, a connection going back in surfing terms to the 1950s, when surf life saving competitions were held in the Bay, with the Fishery Bay Surf Riders Club established in 1962 one of the first in Australia and of course an indigenous connection going back millennium. Fishery Bay more than satisfies all the criteria and more in becoming a surf reserve.

Reserve   status bring brings both formal recognition to the Bay as a surfing icon and also provides a platform through which the local stewardship committee can provide advice on the future management and protection of the Bay and its environment, to ensure it is preserved for future generations to share and enjoy. Today's dedication will lock in Fishery Bay as a very special part of the South Australian and Australian coast, one that must be preserved in its natural state for all to enjoy. I would like to finish by acknowledging all the work and effort put in by Ngahuia and Matt and all those involved in reaching this stage in the reserve nomination and dedication, with of course the assistance of the Lower Eyre Council. Well done and congratulations to all.