NATIONALS Senator Ron Boswell is urging fishos to voice concerns over the Federal Government’s Marine Bioregional Planning process by sending a submission to a Senate Committee investigating the issue.
The Marine Bioregional Planning process focuses on Commonwealth waters that start outside state/territory waters (usually 3 nautical miles from the coast) and extend to the outer limits of Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone around 200 nautical miles from shore.
“It is vital that all peak bodies and groups representing professional and amateur fisherman, the charter boat industry, the bait and tackle industry and super yachts send in submissions on behalf of your members and supporters,” said Senator Boswell.
“You can be assured that all the ‘green’ groups will be mobilised and ready to send a deluge of anti-fishing propaganda to the Inquiry. Marine and fishing industries must hit back with strong arguments outlining the potential detrimental effects marine closures will have on businesses and the industry in general.”
Greens Senator Rachel Siewert referred the matter to Committee after the Coalition introduced a Private Members Bill seeking to make the Environment Protection Biodiversity and Conservation (EPBC) Act a disallowable instrument – that is – to give all MPs and Senators a say on the Marine Bioregional Planning Process. Currently the Minister for the Environment has all the power to declare Marine Protected Areas and no one else has a say.
Submissions can be emailed to ec.sen@aph.gov.au or written submissions sent to:
Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
The deadline for submissions is 24 March 2011 and hearings are expected to commence in Mid April. The Committee is due to report by 13 May 2011.
More information about the Inquiry can be found HERE
