Great Sandy Marine Park data skewed, review time too short: MP

LNP MPs Stephen Bennett and Tony Perrett have called on the State Government to extend the time allowed to review and make submissions on proposed changes to the Great Sandy Marine Park zoning. Here is what they said:

New zoning areas of the Great Sandy Marine Park have been released for review, unleashing an avalanche of backlash from the fishing industry and members of the tourism industry across the Fraser and Cooloola Coasts.

The State Government has allowed three weeks for commercial fishers, local fishers, tourism operators and other small businesses to consider or propose changes, a time frame that ha angered LNP Burnett MP Stephen Bennett.

Mr Bennett on Monday called for the three week period to be extended, citing some “serious red flags” in the 215 page document that he said would not have the chance to be addressed in such a short space of time.

“There won’t be a review for another ten years,” he said. “Any concerned stakeholders that want to make a submission need to get on with the job.”

Mr Bennett claimed that inaccurate data collected over the past 13 years may have skewed the results of the review, and put livelihoods at risk.

The State Government has allowed three weeks for commercial fishers, local fishers, tourism operators and other small businesses to consider or propose changes, a time frame that ha angered LNP Burnett MP Stephen Bennett.

With data coming from changing quotas and inaccurate biomass recordings of fish captured and released, Mr Bennett said the information did not match the reality of fish in the marine park.

“Fishermen are telling me there is an abundance of fish, and because of the reporting mechanisms used in this review it’s not really accurate data,” he said.

Among the affected businesses to express concern at the proposed changes was Barnacles, which runs the dolphin feeding attraction at Tin Can Bay.

“There’s been a huge volume of correspondence and people are deeply concerned,” Mr Bennett said.

“There’s a lot to absorb and I think three weeks is not long enough for us to really get into what this proposed draft looks like.”

The call for a delay came as proposed changes to the Great Sandy Marine Park fishing zones were predicted to disrupt fishing industry practices.

The changes will extend many of the green zones already in place across the Marine Park by 8.9 per cent and will include new boat ramps and the construction of artificial reefs.

The State Government has allowed three weeks for commercial fishers, local fishers, tourism operators and other small businesses to consider or propose changes, a time frame that ha angered LNP Burnett MP Stephen Bennett.

While beneficial to tourism operators and the existing marine life in the park, Gympie MP Tony Perrett said the changes would massively impact the livelihoods of commercial fisheries.

“The Government admits that 60 to 70 commercial fisheries will be impacted, and that number could go much higher,” Mr Perrett said.

Mr Bennett called on local fisheries to read and consider the proposed changes, and how they would affect everyone who enjoyed time on the water.

“Take the time if you have any interest in what marine activities mean to you, whether it’s just going out for a recreational activity with your family, you do need to be aware of the potential changes that are coming,” he said.

Originally published as Great Sandy Marine Park data skewed, review time too short: MP