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Marine Parks |
Friday, 25 February 2011
The implementation of marine parks within South Australian waters is an issue that has caused much debate, particularly in recent months following the release of the details of proposed sanctuary zones, or no-take zones.
I am very much aware of the level of anger and frustration that exists within the communities of Goyder, in particular with the State Governments disregard to what is meant to be a consultation process to establish marine park boundaries.
After attending public meetings to hear the concerns of local recreational and commercial fishers, business owners and community groups I have and will continue to raise these concerns with the Minister for Environment and Conservation, the Hon Paul Caica MP.
In February the Liberal Oppostion moved a motion in State Parliament calling on the Minister for Environment and Conservation to place an immediate moratorium on the imposition of the draft sanctuary zones contained within the marine parks' outer boundaries for South Australia.
I have also met with David Pearce, Marine Parks Project Coordinator, to discuss the many issues that have been raised with me by members of the community and local industry. The same issues are high on the agenda around the State.
In total, 19 marine parks will be declared by the South Australian Government following the completion of “management planning” in 2012 and draft maps outlining marine park and sanctuary zone boundaries are currently available for the public to make comment.
There are four Marine Parks off the coastline of the Goyder Electorate; Park 11 (Eastern Spencer Gulf), Park 12 (Southern Spencer Gulf), Park 13 (Lower Yorke Peninsula) and Park 14 (Upper Gulf St Vincent). At 5,570km2, and representing 21% of South Australia’s marine park network, the four parks in our region cover a significant area.
The diverse stretch of coastline along Yorke Peninsula, including the Samphire Coast (Ardrossan to St Kilda), is extremely popular and recreational activities such as fishing, diving, camping, crab raking, bird watching and beach walking attract many tourists to our region each year.
The economic spin-off generated from such tourism is vital to regional communities along South Australia’s coastline and great concern has been raised about the possible affect marine parks and sanctuary zones will have on the tourism industry and the communities reliant on it. The livelihoods of professional fishers are also at risk due to the proposed restrictions.
I do not oppose the concept of marine parks as there is a very important need to protect our marine environment for future generations. However, they must be implemented properly. It is essential that environmental sustainability and economic impacts as a result of the new parks are considered very carefully.
Within each marine park boundary there are sites that have been earmarked as possible sanctuary zones. Much concern has been raised from people who in good faith were asked to and did provide the locations of where they fish and are now shocked to see that in many instances this is exactly where the sanctuary zones have been located.
The absence of any type of economic impact study to forecast the effect varying degrees of restricted recreational fishing legislation will have on the local community, businesses and visitor numbers to the region is also of great concern to people.
Last year the Liberal Opposition sought to amend the Marine Parks (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Amendment Bill so that all of the zones would be subject to greater parliamentary oversight. This was unfortunately opposed by the Labor Party and the Greens.
I encourage all interested persons to review the draft maps and provide feedback. Submissions are now welcome and the draft marine park management plans will be released for formal, state-wide consultation in the second half of 2011.
For interested persons a public meeting will be held on Tuesday, 5 April 2011 at the Burnside Town Hall from 7pm. A representitive from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will be in attendance and all concerned South Australian's are urged to attend. (WATCH VIDEO)
For information on South Australian marine parks visit www.environment.sa.gov.au/Coastal _Marine or contact the Goyder Electorate Office.
Read my grieve in Parliament on 22 February 2011 and the latest response from Minister Caica regarding Marine Parks.
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