“Recent claims by WA miner Andrew Forrest, that approach to Commonwealth Marine Parks Plans will benefit recreational fishing in WA are simply misleading” said Tim Carter Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) WA representative.
According to Andrew Forrest, years of consultation and scientific research are no match for his plan.
The fishing community have worked together for nearly two decades on the Marine Park planning process and AFTA believe the current plans provide a balanced approach to the needs of both recreational anglers and true conservation outcomes.
The current plans were developed after enormous levels of consultation with all parties, using best science available. This has not changed.
Mr Forrest would have the Australian community believe that the total area under protection is simply going to vanish. The numbers remain the same.
The only difference is that instead of everything being locked up, some Australian’s will be able to use them. This a reasonable outcome for Australia.
The value of recreational fishing has been recognised by the federal government in the current plan, which AFTA feels strikes good balance between community fishing access and the environment.
Areas Mr Forrest would close to anglers in his anti-fishing campaign include large tracts of water on the western side of the Exmouth peninsular, vital to WA regional community’s livelihoods.
Mr Forrest would also like to see much of the Rottnest Trench closed to fishermen along with nearly half of Geographe Bay.
It is not all bad news however, some of what Mr Forrest says is common sense. Plastic and rubbish denigrate our oceans and environment and need to be addressed. Fishers around the country would welcome working with Mr Forrest on addressing this issue.
The recreational fishing community are champions of the aquatic environment – we too support plastic free oceans. Angling groups around the country continually invest in projects focused on habitat protection, restoration & enhancement (restocking), rejuvenating our waterways and environmental stewardship.
It is important for everyone to remember and note again today, that in what is believed to be an historic first, Australia’s peak national fishing bodies Australian Recreational Fishing Federation, Seafood Industry Australia, Game Fishing Association Australia & the Australian Fishing Trade Association have reconfirmed their united support of the Government’s plans for Commonwealth Marine Reserves.
ARFF calls on all of the senate crossbench to uphold their original support of the Government’s plans for Commonwealth Marine Reserves supporting the right of Australians to fish.