Please send this email to Martin hamilton-smith [email protected] Geoff Brock [email protected] Can somebody, anybody, show me credible science that shows that what South Australian recreational fishers are doing is having an undue effect on our marine environment in the areas that will become sanctuary zones? Recreational fishers are the first to support good conservation measures, including appropriate protection of breeding and nursery sites for key fish species. But what makes the Government’s lock out decision smell, is that they will still allow oil and gas exploration, commercial shark burleying, large-scale tourist operations and diving in, and around, these areas. If these areas are so environmentally sensitive that they warrant mum, dad and the kids being locked out from recreational fishing, then how are these other activities still allowed to occur? Given that these zones are in reality just no fishing zones, unfortunately the only management option recreational fishers are being given involves locking us out. I don’t need to tell you that SA’s unemployment rate is now the highest in the nation at 7.4% Nationally, recreational fishers spend over $10 billion a year to go fishing. In SA, this equates to around $720 million a year. On this basis, the impact of locking recreational fishers out of 6 percent of our waters is equivalent to about $43 million a year - money that goes to support local businesses and jobs that will be gone forever. Recreational anglers want to be responsible and sustainable users of marine resources. Fishing in an unsustainable manner is not in our long-term interests – nor is it good for the marine environment and the fish we love. Australian, particularly South Australian, recreational fisheries are extremely tightly managed. The marine environment in SA waters is already protected through a series of fishing seasonal closures plus aquatic reserve provisions in the state Fisheries Management Act. All fishers are subject to strict size and bag limits, as well as other management protocols including tackle restrictions and so on. Many, if not all, of these rules and regulations were instigated by fishers as a demonstration of our commitment to the sustainability of the marine environment. There is something seriously wrong with what has happened with marine parks in SA. Instead of locking anglers out of our oceans, why don’t politicians recognise recreational fishers’ track record as a reliable economic engine (in many cases with minimal extraction), and as stewards of the habitat and resources. However you look at it, this is bad public policy that does nothing in regards to supporting or implementing meaningful marine conservation measures. By moving to ban recreational fishers, the current Government - and supporters such as Mark Parnell MLC - are also sending a clear message that SA is not a recreational fishing friendly state. With over 200,000 South Australian’s wetting a line every year, SA deserves a government that understands and supports recreational fishers and the tremendous social and economic benefits they bring to communities in this state. I simply ask that you base future decisions on marine conservation on genuine science and consultation. https://facebook/groups/655209411215059/
Posted on: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 12:04:14 +0000
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