According to the national spokesperson for the Boating and Fishing Council of Australia (BFCA), Dean Logan, the recent Weekend Australian article (Dec 5-6 “Marine Park Battle of the Coral Sea”) signals a defining moment for Peter Garrett’s environmental leadership of Australia’s marine environment.
“The unilateral decision to declare the Coral Sea a Conservation Zone and side with the USA funded Pew Environment Group (a division of The Pew Charitable Trusts), was done without any consultation. As a result Peter Garrett has single handedly lost the respect of the entire Australian recreational marine, boating, outboard and fishing sectors and is causing deep divisions within the Australian environmental lobby.”
Logan went on to say, “Make no mistake that some of Australia’s largest companies are watching this very ssue with great concern.
“In our view the environment will benefit more through a collaborative co-management approach where both industry and community views are respected and taken into consideration. We have some of the best marine environmental policies in the world for this very reason.”
The BFCA and the Federal Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage & the Arts have convened a meeting this Friday in Canberra on this issue. Fisho will keep you updated on any outcomes.
