Fishermen fear impact of marine park plan

The Queensland fishing industry says a Federal Government proposal for a national network of marine parks will hurt commercial fishermen.

The ABC has obtained a map of the latest Environment Department proposal which would make up the biggest marine park sanctuary in the world.
Environment Minister Tony Burke's upcoming announcement of a national network of Commonwealth marine parks has been described by environmentalists as a chance to leave a legacy as significant as the protection of the Great Barrier Reef or Kakadu.
The documents show a huge protected area in the Coral Sea off Queensland, stretching all the way along the state's coastline and a long way out to sea.
The President of the Queensland Seafood Industry Association (QSIA) Geoff Tilton says the proposed plan would be a major blow to the industry.
"If it excludes commercial fishing then it's going to have an impact on businesses, coastal communities, fisherman themselves," Mr Tilton said.
"I can't understand why we can't operate in a similar system to what happens in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park area where commercial fishing exists and we still have protection of the environment."
Marine Queensland (MQ) represents recreational as well as commercial fishermen.
It says the Federal Government is yet to present any "credible science" to justify extending protection zones in the Coral Sea.
MQ spokesman Wayne Bayne says he is concerned the plan is politically motivated and will hurt the charter boat industry.
"To all of a sudden have major areas like this just taken off them for no apparent reason - not only is it's unwarranted - it's unjustifiable and it's unconscionable on the part of the Government," Mr Baynne said.
Mr Bayne says the proposals threaten the viability of many businesses.
"There are a lot of support industries on land that service these people and service the commercial fishing industry," he said.
"A lot of them were hurt when the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was done and a lot of them are just hanging on by a knife edge.
"I think that this will tip a fair few of them over."
The Australian Conversation Foundation (ACF) says the maps used in the plan are relatively old.
ACF spokesman Chris Smyth says it is not clear whether the Government has increased or reduced areas of protection.
"We're pretty mindful that this is actually still very much a work in progress," Mr Smyth said.
"We've been working with the Government along with other stakeholders to try and get the best result in terms of a national marine reserve network.
"It is something we need to do under our international obligations but also something we need to do to actually look after our oceans."

Source : http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-11/fishermen-fear-impact-of-marine-park-plan/4064266?section=qld