Myall River Action Group members said the 29-year-old’s death highlighted the dangers of the area between Winda Woppa and Corrie Island, where his body was discovered on Monday.

Water Police are examining the circumstances of the death.

Long-time Tea Gardens resident and group member Dave Glynn said the area had become a minefield for navigators since it lost the ability to clear into the bay after rain.

He held concerns for skippers visiting at Easter.

‘‘It’s a maze of sandbars made invisible by the filthy water that can’t get into the bay,’’ Mr Glynn said.

The Newcastle Herald had previously reported the Myall River group had been lobbying to have the river dredged for about four years.

Port Stephens MP Craig Baumann expressed his condolences over Mr Forster’s death but said it was premature to speculate on whether the dredging issue had any links.

He said he was working closely with Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson and Environment Minister Robyn Parker to ‘‘work out how we’re going to get this dredging done’’.

‘‘This is the top priority on my agenda for Port Stephens,’’ he said.