Australia’s peak national fishing bodies continue to be united in their support of the Government’s plans for Commonwealth Marine Parks.
Seafood Industry Australia (SIA), Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA), Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF) and Game Fishing Association of Australia (GFAA) have reviewed the Government’s updated Marine Park Plans and agree that they achieve an acceptable balance between sustainability and Australians’ right to catch fish, eat fish and make a living from the ocean.
Collectively, all of the representative organisations support and endorse the revised Marine Parks plan proposed by the Government this week.
“It’s taken the threat of broad loss access to fishing areas to bring the commercial and recreational sides of fishing together. Our oceans are a shared resource – for professional, recreational and indigenous fishers, the community and the environment,” said AFTA President, Colin Tannahill from Shimano Australia.
“The commercial industry provides over a billion meals to Australian families each year. This is about the right for Australians to fish and to eat Australian seafood from now and into the future,” said Jane Lovell, CEO of the SIA.
“State governments have recognized the benefits of recreational fishing as an important leisure activity with health, social and economic value to the community. Many individuals are totally reliant on it for their livelihood and more than 5 million recreational fishers currently enjoy our oceans,” said ARFF and GFAA representative, Doug Sanderson.
Marine Parks currently cover 36% of all Australian Commonwealth waters, significantly more than the international benchmark of 10%. The Government’s current plans protect 40% more ecological features than the plans proposed in 2012.
“The current plans recognise the conservation, social and economic importance of this vital part of the Commonwealth estate,” Jane concluded.