GREENS MP and environment spokesperson Cate Faehrmann says the government is delaying its response to its long awaited marine science audit because it tells us what it doesn’t want to hear: that marine parks work and we need more.
The Independent Scientific Audit of Marine Parks was established by the NSW Government in June last year. One recommendation suggests new protections are necessary in two key gap areas – the Hawkesbury and Twofold Shelf marine bioregions.
“Now that its long-awaited report is telling them the ‘inconvenient truth’ that the science behind marine parks is justified we see more stalling tactics from the government. This is nothing short of disgraceful,” said Ms Faehrmann.
“Ever since the election the government has been attacking the science behind marine parks.
“Now that its independent scientific audit has finally been released, it’s hardly surprising that it has found that marine parks are valuable and they work and we need more of them. What is surprising is the government’s refusal to acknowledge that the report states this without question.
“To now put this report out to another public consultation until June is a disgraceful move by the government and designed to delay the inevitable – the lifting of the moratorium on marine parks.
“The government must immediately overturn the moratorium and instead focus on how they can guarantee a sustainable future for NSW marine areas.
“This is not an issue we can afford to delay on anymore. If we want a viable recreational and commercial fishing industry into the future we need to protect key areas to maintain healthy fish stocks,” said Ms Faehrmann.
