Our Commitment

At Nelson Bay Boat Hire & Watersports, we believe that unforgettable experiences on the water come with a responsibility to protect the marine environment that makes them possible.

Operating in the pristine waters of Port Stephens, we are committed to minimising our environmental impact, promoting responsible boating and fishing practices, supporting our local community, and preserving the natural beauty of our waterways for future generations.

Sustainability is embedded throughout the customer journey— from online booking and pre-arrival information to on-water safety briefings— ensuring every guest understands how they can help protect the unique marine environment they are exploring.

Green is Our Gold

Nelson Bay Boat Hire & Watersports proudly supports Tourism Australia's Green is Our Gold Promise, recognising that tourism businesses have a shared responsibility to care for the natural environments, communities, cultures, wildlife, and people that make Australia such a special destination.

We are committed to promoting the Green and Gold Principles throughout our operations, empowering our team and our guests to protect Port Stephens through responsible boating, fishing, and recreation.

Protecting the Marine Environment

We are committed to preserving the health of Port Stephens' marine ecosystems by:

• Operating our vessels responsibly to minimise impacts on the marine environment.

• Progressively replacing older two-stroke outboard motors with modern four-stroke outboard motors across our fleet.

• Supporting responsible boating practices that protect sensitive marine habitats.

• Managing waste responsibly and preventing pollution from entering our waterways.

• Encouraging guests to respect marine wildlife and their natural habitats.

Fleet Improvement

As part of our ongoing environmental commitment, we are progressively phasing out older two-stroke outboard motors and replacing them with modern four-stroke engines.

Four-stroke engines provide significant environmental benefits, including:

• Lower fuel consumption, reducing overall fuel use.

• Reduced exhaust emissions, contributing to improved air quality.

• Lower hydrocarbon emissions released into the water, helping protect marine ecosystems.

• Quieter operation, reducing noise disturbance for marine wildlife and enhancing the visitor experience.

• Improved engine efficiency and reliability.

Supporting Sustainable Fishing

We recognise the importance of protecting marine life and reducing pollution associated with recreational fishing.

To support responsible fishing practices, we are committed to:

• Installing a Fishing Line Recovery Station by 1 November 2026, providing guests with a dedicated location to dispose of used fishing line responsibly.

• Encouraging responsible fishing practices through customer education.

• Helping prevent discarded fishing line from harming marine wildlife, seabirds, and sensitive marine habitats.

• Promoting responsible disposal of bait, tackle, and other fishing-related waste.

Reducing Our Environmental Footprint

We actively seek opportunities to reduce waste and resource consumption by:

• Reducing unnecessary printing across our business.

• Reviewing operational practices to identify more sustainable alternatives.

• Encouraging responsible waste management throughout our facilities.

Educating and Inspiring Responsible Visitors

We believe every visitor can play a role in protecting Port Stephens.

We will:

• Share eco-awareness and Green is Our Gold messaging throughout our website, social media accounts, booking journey, and customer communications.

• Incorporate Green is Our Gold principles into our mandatory pre-departure safety briefing, encouraging responsible boating, sustainable fishing, respect for marine wildlife, proper waste disposal, and safe enjoyment of our waterways.

• Encourage guests to leave no trace while on the water.

• Promote respectful behaviour around dolphins, seabirds, seals, and other marine wildlife.

• Provide practical information that empowers visitors to make environmentally responsible decisions throughout their experience.

Supporting Our Community

As a locally owned and operated business, we are committed to strengthening the Port Stephens community by:

• Supporting local tourism and encouraging visitors to experience other local businesses.

• Working collaboratively with tourism organisations, local councils, and environmental groups.

• Creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for visitors, staff, and the wider community.

• Contributing positively to the long-term sustainability of Port Stephens as a world-class marine destination.

Our People

All staff share responsibility for supporting this policy and are expected to:

• Follow environmentally responsible work practices.

• Assist in reducing waste and conserving resources.

• Promote and reinforce the Green is Our Gold principles through guest interactions, safety briefings, and daily operations.

• Encourage responsible boating, fishing, and environmental stewardship.

• Identify opportunities to improve sustainability outcomes.

• Report environmental concerns or incidents promptly.

Continuous Improvement

Sustainability is an ongoing commitment.

Nelson Bay Boat Hire & Watersports will regularly review its operations, fleet, environmental initiatives, and customer education programs to identify opportunities for improvement and ensure we continue to operate responsibly within the unique marine environment of Port Stephens.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains relevant, effective, and aligned with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.

Last Reviewed: June 2026