State government accused of rushing Great Sandy Marine Park plan

A plan that “could end generations of commercial fishing” has been “rushed through” by the state government, a seafood industry advocate said after demanding answers from the local member.

Queensland Seafood Industry Association Vice President Shane Snow said the plan had allowed little time for consultation, saying that after six years of reworking the scheme, industry and seafood consumers had been given just one month to assess its impacts.

The state government has been accused of “rushing through” plans to rezone the Great Sandy Marine Park, with Hervey Bay MP Adrian Tantari called upon to explain the impacts of the scheme.

Queensland Seafood Industry Association vice president Shane Snow said the plan had allowed little time for consultation, saying that after six years of reworking the scheme, industry and seafood consumers had been given just one month to assess its impacts.

“This plan will rob local seafood consumers of 80 per cent or more of fish and put hundreds of fishermen and onshore staff out of work,” he said.

“We have seen nothing from the government analysing the impact of the plan and we call on Mr Tantari to explain what it will mean to fishermen, seafood industry workers and seafood consumers.

“If he cannot tell us the impacts of his government’s plan, the process should be immediately suspended until an assessment of its impacts can be developed.”

Great Sandy Marine Park

Mr Snow said it was “outrageous” that generations of commercial fishing could be brought to an end in a month.

“A draft plan was released on September 23, lacking significant details and impacts, and public submissions must be sent to the government by October 23,” he said.

“Why the rush? What is the government trying to hide? What aren’t people being told?

“Mr Tantari needs to be open and transparent about the impact of the zoning plan.”

Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Tantari said as soon as he was made aware that the draft plan may impact commercial fishers, he “fought hard to make sure that government listens and provides fair compensation for impacted fishers and post-harvest seafood businesses”.

“During the consultation period, I have met with local fishers and I’ve made sure local fishers have had the opportunity to meet with the department directly to give their feedback, including on a fair compensation package,” he said.

“Those consultation meetings have given fishers the opportunity to ask the department directly about the draft plan.

“The draft plan clearly indicates that commercial fishing – like tunnel netting, set pocket netting, bait netting and crabbing – will continue to be allowed in the marine park and any statement saying otherwise is misleading.

“The draft plan focuses on more intensive gill netting, which has shown to harmful to other marine life in the park.”

A petition launched last week by Urangan resident Karl Adolfsen, is urging the state government to stop the consultation process until an independent investigation is carried out into the creation of the draft plan.

It has reached more than 1000 signatures.