Opposition to marine parks

By Bridget Cook
RECREATIONAL and commercial fishermen from coastal villages are outraged at a proposal for 20 new marine parks, which would see a ban on recreational fishing in those areas.
The Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) has put out a proposal highlighting 20 priority areas for the State Government to create or expand marine parks.
A meeting was held in Tooradin on Tuesday night, called by concerned Tooradin, Warneet and Blind Bight foreshore committees, which was attended by more than 50 local fishing and boating clubs.
The unaffiliated representative for the South Eastern Metropolitan region for VRFish, Victorian’s peak recreational fishing body, Trevor Buck, spoke at the meeting and said the general consensus from fishermen was that they were against the proposal.
“They would dramatically, negatively affect the recreational fishing industry and recreational fishing community,” Cranbourne resident Mr Buck said.
“We don’t believe that introducing marine parks, which would lock out recreational fishing from 30 per cent of marine and coastal waters, is the proper and practical solution for marine conservation.”
Marine parks are highly protected areas that preserve marine habitats in there natural state and provide insurance against environmental impacts.
The VNPA has highlighted areas including French Island, North Arm of Western Port, Yaringa National Marine Park and Crawfish Rock as priorities areas for new or expanded marine parks.
VNPA marine and coastal protect officer Simon Branigan said the areas identified are high conservation areas.
“The areas can have a range of impacts that are affecting the areas including climate change, introduced pests, pollution and some fishing activity,” he said.
Mr Branigan said the main purpose for marine parks was to protect marine biodiversity.
He said fishermen needed to realise that the creation of the parks would have long term and immediate benefits for the recreational and commercial fishing industries as they promote healthier and more productive oceans.
Mr Branigan said, however, that before any marine parks get the go ahead they would have to go through a transparent and vigorous process that would involve all stakeholders including recreational and commercial fishing activities.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Gavin Jennings said last week that the State Government had not accepted the proposal to increase the number of marine parks in Victoria.
“The Brumby Labor Government has ruled out creating more marine parks and will not amend the current marine national parks before the election or during the next term of government,” Mr Jennings said.
“Victoria’s marine national parks were established in 2002 in consultation with all stakeholders to protect marine life in those designated areas.
“Victoria has a world class system of 13 marine national parks and 11 smaller marine sanctuaries, protecting 5.3 per cent of our coastal waters.
“Our Government established those marine national parks in consultation with all stakeholders to protect marine life in those designated areas – and we are not changing these arrangements.”
Tooradin recreational fisherman Lindsay Mitchell said there was total opposition to the proposed marine parks at Tuesday night’s meeting.
“While the State Government has ruled out the introduction of more marine parks, it could certainly come up in the future,” he said.
“And we have total opposition to it.”