Neil Jones from the Ploughmans Wetlands Group has had enough of the damage being caused at the wetlands by what he said was a small group of fishers aged in their late teens and early 20s.
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He said vegetation was being trampled, temporary mesh fencing pulled down and rubbish - including empty bottles and cans of alcoholic drinks, and fishing line - strewn about the site.
The wetlands preservation group has assisted Orange City Council at working bees to nuture the wetlands environment.
Among the tasks undertaken were planting around the edges of the dam and erecting the mesh fencing to limit where fishing can occur so as to protect plantings.
"There are two places for fishing, one near the pump shed and one on Ploughmans Lane," said Mr Jones.
"Those two areas have been created to allow fishing in such a way that damage does not concur to the sedges [grass-like plants] and reeds around edge of dam."
Fishing at the wetlands was given the green light by Orange City Council midway through 2020, and Mr Jones said most people were respectful of the environment.
However he said there were members of one demographic - older teenagers and those in their early 20s - who were disrespecting the wetlands.
"The last straw was [Thursday January 14] where the section on the eastern side near Ploughmans Lane was totally trashed.
"We're at a loss for words over how to deal with this."
Mr Jones said the temporary mesh fencing and a sign had been "torn down", and that "litter and fishing lines were left discarded".
"It has occurred on either side in the past, and we go in and repair the damage and transplant new plants.
"We believe there needs to be an education campaign about how to fish responsibly in the wetlands and ensure there is no damage to the existing vegetation."
When fishing was approved about seven months ago, Mr Jones said, "councillors rejected the proposal at the time for a fishing platform".
"But we believe if fishing is to continue the most sensible environmental way to do this is to fish off a platform."
He said that ducks and other birds inhabiting the wetlands were at risk of becoming tangled in the fishing line left behind.
"This vandalism has to stop; they are destroying what is a wonderful wetland area with great wildlife and thriving nesting areas."
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