Updated | Council waters down response to spearing of Gus the Blue Groper

A mayoral minute calling on the state government to extend the "no spearfishing' area at Cronulla and create a new aquatic reserve underwent two drastic revisions following a wave of protests.

More than 100 spearfishers and anglers, who packed the public gallery and an overflow area at the council meeting on Monday night, applauded when the council adopted a more measured response.

Mayor Carmelo Pesce dropped his proposal for an aquatic reserve and extension of the boundary of the area where spearfishing is banned.

Instead, the NSW Department of Primary Industries will simply be asked to review the boundary for spearfishing closures in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to include the waters from Shelly Beach to Bass and Flinders Point in light of concerns regarding ambiguity.

The final motion retained a request that Fisheries NSW review the fine given to the spearfisherman who killed the Blue Groper known as Gus and recommended the maximum penalty be applied.

Fisheries NSW will also be asked to implement an educational campaign, including additional signage and QR code link for translation into multiple languages.

Charl De Villiers, president of St George Spearfishing Club, told the meeting the mayoral minute was "a knee jerk reaction" and suggested it could have been for "broader political gain".

Cr Pesce said the mayoral minute followed a community outcry over the spearing of the Blue Groper.