THE Abbott Government’s decision to repeal marine park management plans which would have seen anglers locked out of large areas of ocean around Australia, has been lauded in the US.
In an article in the March edition of American game fishing magazine Marlin, titled “Good News Down Under” John Frazier praises the newly elected federal government’s position on marine parks.
In the article Frazier writes: “The global recreational fishing community should take a moment to appreciate this landmark move by the Australian government to correct the ill-conceived decision to close public waters to recreational fishing”.
American Sportfishing Association (ASA) President and CEO Mike Nussman was also welcoming of the marine parks wind back saying, “Australia’s efforts to establish a massive network of marine parks did not sufficiently recognize the social, economic and conservation benefits of recreational fishing, causing great concern to everyone involved in recreational fishing.”
“Through many frustrating years working to ensure anglers and the recreational fishing industry had a voice in California’s process to establish an unwarranted network of closures to prime sport fishing waters, it’s heartening to see a government recognize the value of maintaining public access to marine waters,” added Mike Leonard, ASA’s ocean resource policy director.
“Marine reserves are the most restrictive tool in the fisheries management toolbox, but far too often, they are proposed as one-size-fits-all management. Conservation-minded anglers are wrongly penalized for problems that either don’t exist or for which they are not responsible,” said Leonard.
