Opposition MP Michelle Lensink introduces legislation to downgrade fishing restrictions in South Australia marine parks
COMMERCIAL and recreational fishers are calling on the State Government to support an Opposition push to scrap 12 no-fishing zones planned for the state’s waters.
COMMERCIAL and recreational fishers are calling on the State Government to support an Opposition push to scrap 12 no-fishing zones planned for the state’s waters.
From October, 19 new marine parks will take effect to protect fish stocks and special underwater environments.
Within those parks there will be more than 80 small sanctuary zones where fishing will not be allowed.
Liberal MP Michelle Lensink has introduced legislation that would downgrade restrictions in 12 of those 80 zones to allow fishing. The zones are around Kangaroo Island, Eyre Peninsula and the top of Gulf St Vincent.
Commercial and recreational fishers yesterday lobbied new Regional Development Minister Geoff Brock to support the Bill, saying the no-fish zones would lead to reduced income and job losses.
Some fishers said they were already reducing or moving their operations and the looming restrictions were creating uncertainty that was putting others off expanding or entering the industry.
However, Mr Brock – the independent MP who helped Labor form government – will not take a position until he receives a further briefing.
Trade Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith, the other independent MP in the Government, will also attend. Their support in the Lower House is needed for the Bill to pass.
Ms Lensink, who sits in the Upper House, said she had chosen the 12 zones based on data provided by commercial and recreational fishers.
“We don’t believe that the marine park zoning is based on science because they (the Government) never did a threat assessment,” she said.
Rock lobster fisher Andrew Ferguson said he had moved a third of his boats away from KI fishing grounds, which would be affected by sanctuary zones. He said “much uncertainty has crept into our fishery”, devaluing licences.
Other fishers said harm to fisheries could be negated by lifting fishing restrictions in just a handful of sanctuary zones.
Environment Minister Ian Hunter said the final marine park boundaries were decided after 10 years of consultation involving 35,000 people.
The consultation resulted in more than 50 changes, which reduced the impact on the commercial fishing industry from 2.1 to 1.67 per cent of its annual gross value of production, he told Parliament yesterday.
“There were also changes to accommodate popular recreational fishing spots,” he said.
“This Government remains committed to ensuring these (sanctuary) areas are protected.”
Conservation Council SA chief executive Craig Wilkins said it made “no sense to scrap a system before it even starts”.
“Why not give it a chance to see if it will work?” he said.