The Brumby Labor Government has not accepted a proposal to increase the number of marine parks in Victoria, the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Gavin Jennings, said today.
Jennings said the proposal contained in a report by the independent Victorian National Parks Association would not be acted on by the Brumby Labor Government.
See more on this proposal HERE.
“The Brumby Labor Government has ruled out creating more marine parks and will not amend the current marine national parks before the election or during the next term of government. This is similar to the moratorium introduced recently in New South Wales,” Jennings said.
“While independent groups like the Victorian National Parks Association are free to put forward their views, this is not a proposal that the Brumby Labor Government is entertaining.
“Victoria’s marine national parks were established in 2002 in consultation with all stakeholders to protect marine life in those designated areas. Victoria has a world class system of 13 marine national parks and 11 smaller marine sanctuaries, protecting 5.3 per cent of our coastal waters.
“Our Government established those marine national parks in consultation with all stakeholders to protect marine life in those designated areas – and we are not changing these arrangements.”
The Minister Responsible for Fisheries, Joe Helper, said it was deeply disappointing that the Liberal and National parties had sought to deceive anglers by politically hijacking the issue and misrepresenting the Victorian Government’s position on the report.
Helper said the Brumby Labor Government had a strong track record supporting recreational fishing.
“We are investing heavily in recreational fishing and are not going to close down those opportunities all Victorians are now enjoying,” he said.
The Victorian Government says it has committed:
- $13.5 million for an Enhanced Recreational Fishing Program which includes the target to increase fish stocks by 30 per cent;
- $1.3 million to build a new native fish hatchery at Snobs Creek;
- $5 million to buy back licences in the Western Zone Rock Lobster industry to ensure that particular fishery remained sustainable; and
- $3.2 million to the Go Fishing in Victoria initiative to improve fishing infrastructure around the state and encourage Victorian families to go fishing.
“The Brumby Labor Government will continue to work with organisations such as the Futurefish Foundation, VRFish, the Australian Trout Foundation, Native Fish Australia and the Victorian Recreational Fishing roundtable to grow participation in recreational fishing and deliver enhanced recreational fishing opportunities for all Victorians to enjoy,” Helper said.
