Fishing industry calls for ALP and Greens to rule out massive water grab

2 August 2010

The WA fishing industry is seeking clear and unequivocal commitments from the Australian Labor Party and the Greens that the design, location and size of all Commonwealth marine parks will be based on sound science not on sweeping percentages of marine territory.

“We are very alarmed by the Greens’ election policy which seeks that 30 per cent of marine area reserves be locked up preventing commercial fishing and other activities,” said WAFIC Chair, Kim Colero.

“We are also concerned about speculation that the Australian Labor Party has agreed to this objective as part of its preference deal with the Greens.”

Mr Colero has written today to the Australian Labor Party and the Greens seeking commitments that marine planning will be based on transparent, science based assessments not on target percentages.

Mr Colero also warned the general public to be wary of the ‘bigger is better’ argument that pervades the debate about marine parks.

“What we have seen in the past with the establishment of large no take zones is that fishing effort is shifted and as a result, becomes more concentrated in other areas, putting fish stocks and the environment in these areas under increasing pressure,” Mr Colero said.

Industry’s view is that it is imperative that marine planning be based on clear objectives, sound science and credible risk assessments rather than on set percentages.

The Greens and some environment groups are advocating this massive water grab based on sweeping misrepresentations which portray the fishing industry as a threat to fish stocks and marine life. 

Unlike minerals and petroleum, fisheries, if managed properly, are a renewable resource.

“Commercial fishers in Australia were some of the first in the world to recognise that the resources they harvest are by no means inexhaustible and that fishers depend on their sustainability.  That’s why our commercial fisheries in Australia are carefully managed through a whole suite of controls, often adopted at the initiative of fishers to ensure sustainability,” said Mr Colero.

“Given the renewable nature of fisheries, the environmental quality of our practices and benefit of supplying local and sustainable seafood to the Australian public, the Australian commercial fishing industry should be supported by the Greens, not unfairly targeted,” he said.

“The imperative in marine planning is to be clear about its objectives and to ensure that there is minimal disruption to industry and coastal communities in establishing marine parks,” Mr Colero said.

“It is also vital that engagement with all stakeholders, including the fishing industry, is thorough and robust.  That is why we welcomed the approach to consultation taken by the Liberal and National Parties in their marine park policy, announced last week.

“The establishment of marine parks has the potential to put fishing families out of business, threaten coastal communities and to impact negatively on the Australian economy.  It also puts at risk the ability of consumers to buy locally caught and sustainable seafood.

“If our industry is displaced or shut down through the establishment of large marine parks, then it is only fair that fishers and their families are fairly acknowledged and recompensed.  

“Clearly the funding allocation for displacement depends on the extent of the marine parks, which should be the outcome of sound science and meaningful consultation with all affected industries.

“Nonetheless we are still seeking a clear displacement funding commitment from all of the political parties,” said Mr Colero.

“At the end of the day, it is not just the fishers and their families who face the risk of losing their livelihoods. It is also coastal communities that are supported by the fishing industry as well as the seafood consuming public who are affected.

“If commercial fisheries are closed through the establishment of large marine parks, the public needs to understand that the supply of local, fresh seafood will be at risk,” said Mr Colero.

For further information:

Kim Colero, Chairman, WAFIC, 0419 271 950