AS Fisho reported late last week, federal Environment Minister Tony Burke has revealed plans for the introduction of a massive marine park off Australia’s east coast. The affected area, known as the Temperate East Marine Region, extends from the edge of Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to Bermagui on the NSW South Coast. Read the press release from the Minister’s office outlining his plans.
The press release states that “Mr Burke said the Government had worked with environment groups, the fishing industry, recreational fishing groups and other marine users in the development of a draft bioregional plan and proposed marine reserves network for the temperate east”.
The announcement of the Government’s plans for the Temperate East Marine Region come largely as a surprise to many in the rec fishing sector. Rec fishing leaders contacted by Fisho today had no idea the Government’s plans were so far advanced.
Fisho today contacted the Minister’s office for clarification of the recreational fishing groups consulted during the process. We received the following response from Mr Burke:
“Throughout the whole marine bioregional planning process I have been speaking with interested groups including recreational and commercial fisher organisations.
“The Department of Sustainability also consulted with a number of stakeholder groups in the development of the draft maps that are now open for public comment.”
Following this statement, Fisho again contacted Mr Burke’s office to clarify if rec fishing groups were among these “stakeholder” groups. If so, we also asked to be informed of exactly which group or groups were consulted and what their level of input to the draft maps was. We’ll let you know the Minister’s response when we get it.
Below is a list of recreational fishing industry groups/related bodies – provided by Minister Burke’s office – which the Minister’s spokeswoman said have been “part of the consultation on the Temperate East Marine Region over a long period, beginning with the release of the Areas for Further Assessment in March 2010”.
Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) NSW; Advisory Council on Recreational Fishing (ACoRF) NSW; Sunfish Queensland; Marine Queensland; Game Fishing Association of Australia (GFAA); Lord Howe Island recreational fishers; Norfolk Island Fishing Association; Recfish Australia; NSW Game Fishing Association (NSW GFA); Ecofishers NSW; Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA); Australian National Sportsfishing Association (ANSA); Queensland Charter Vessels Association (QCVA); Queensland and NSW recreational fishing and game fishing clubs (numerous clubs); Underwater Skindivers and Fishermen’s Association (USFA); Boating Industries Alliance Australia (BIAA); Australian Underwater Federation.
If any individuals or spokesmen associated with these groups would like to detail the level of “consultation” the Government has had with them, especially in regard to the detail and development of the planned park, including the formation of maps, then please feel free to outline your comments and statements about that consultation process below.
Members of the public will be able to comment on Mr Burke’s planned mega marine park. Click HERE to find out how to make your voice heard.
