The National Parks and Wildlife Service has imposed new daily visitor limits to Barunguba (Montague Island).
The move follows a consultation process in January 2024, which saw Eurobodalla Council and local charter operators object to the proposal.
Two Narooma boat charters are currently licenced by National Parks to land on the island, famously home to penguins, seals, and important European and Indigenous heritage.
Mayor Mathew Hatcher says the reduction in visitor numbers to the island confirmed last week could have implications for the viability of Narooma's boat charter operations.
"When the charters are impacted, so is Narooma's visitor economy. I'd like to see National Parks come to the table and work with the operators as they transition through this change," he said.
Mayor Hatcher said Council's submission to the National Parks and Wildlife Service addressed areas of concern within the plan, however these appear to have been ignored.
"Poor visitor behaviour and ensuring a positive visitor experience were posed as the rationale for reducing visitor numbers to the island," he said.
"We are not aware of the assessment methods used by National Parks to determine that a reduction in visitor numbers will improve behaviour or the experience."
"While I certainly support our environmental obligations to protect the island, the economic implications for long-term Eurobodalla businesses are significant, and I'm concerned the process has failed to work with the industry to transition through this change."
The new daily visitor limits will start from September of this year when current licences end. A maximum of 40 people will be permitted on any tour, and visitors to the island will be limited to 120 people within any 24-hour period.
Mayor Hatcher said over summer the two charters are running up to three tours per day, with one boat able to seat 60 passengers.
"The new arrangements mean these boats will not be able to operate anywhere near capacity, particularly during peak tourism season."
