Original story at ABC News
A wild dolphin swim operator says a new marine finfish research lease approved for Port Stephens will be the start of the destruction of the area's pristine marine environment.
The State Government has approved the 20 hectare aquaculture lease near Hawks Nest to allow for research into species, such as the Yellowtail Kingfish.
Fisheries New South Wales has previously said it will have minimal effects on the environment.
But Andrew Parker from Dolphin Swim Australia says he has grave fears about antibiotic use, disease, an increase in sharks and water quality issues.
The operator of a Port Stephens dolphin swim business concerned about a finfish research lease. Supplied: Dolphin Swim Australia
"Look, I think it's just the start of the decline of what is a totally pristine marine environment up there at Port Stephens," he said.
"I think it's an absolutely poor use of such a marine asset.
"It's a five-year trial, it's on the back of an existing lease, add to the fin fish trial.
"It's going to start with Mulloway and Kingfish, but the ultimate goal is tuna.
"We all know it."
"It's a very, very wasteful and very environmentally costly way of making money for corporations.
"Chemicals, pharmaceuticals, disease, effluent, right down to of course the ubiquitous predators that will be attracted to the area.
"The possibility of disease getting out into that area is absolutely paramount."
But Port Stephens MP Craig Baumann says there is nothing to worry about.
"The scientists that we have at the Port Stephens Fisheries Research Centre are the best in the world.
"They're obviously very, very careful of anything they introduce into the environment.
"They're very, very knowledgable in their science and I have no real concerns that they'll allow anything, that would affect the environment adversely, to happen."
The Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson says the research is vital in the development of sustainable fisheries.
"By the year 2050 there's going to be nine billion hungry mouths to feed on this planet, all wanting protein.
"By doing the work now on how to breed sustainable species in a fish farm environment we can make sure that protein will be available en masse.
"We're developing diets, making sure we've got validated equipment and technology, we'll be conducting environmental monitoring around this research lease.
"So it is important work, it will take five years to complete, but we expect to have some very good information at the end of that period.
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