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THE AUSTRALIAN FISHING and LIFESTYLE PARTY POLICY POSITION

Issues on the South Australia proposed marine parks

Moreton Bay proposed Marine Parks

As to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park & RAP

In respect of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and associated zoning framework, it is the policy of AFLP that an overhaul of zonings implemented as at July 1st 2004 take place to lessen the burden on the recreational fishing community. Such overhaul to work within the framework of available evidence and opt for split reef systems rather than the current practice of whole reef green zones. That a clear distinction at legislative and enforcement level be recognised between the varied fisheries techniques used by recreational and commercial sectors and an adherence to the governing laws applicable to the GBR which both allow and encourage reasonable and sustainable use. As part of this review an increase in the number of Pink zones and directly contrasting reduction in Green zones in hard reef areas and other areas of particular and identifiable biological importance

Background Information

Hard reef systems in the GBR are in effect self-contained ecosystems. There is no spillover effect of domicile reef species (such as Coral trout & Red Throat..the 2 most important target species). These fish, each year during what is termed the spawning recruitment period, naturally replace what has been lost to the reef. This can be loss through predation by other fish or sharks, disease or fishing. The level of spawning recruitment is based on available habitat with that particular reef system. If there is a large amount of available habitat, there is in turn a large spawning recruitment and lots of baby fish find a niche and grow to maturity. If there is very little available habitat then the spawning recruitment is likewise very small.

Evidence gathered by the reef CRC proves that unfished reefs are in effect full. They have a steady population of large fish. A fished reef by comparison, actually has a higher population of target species (such as trout) but of a smaller average size. Research supports the view that large coral trout, all of which are males, are the major predator of small coral trout.

The basis by which AFLP has reached its split reef policy is by allowing the reef to remain unfished, a stable population of large trout can exist undisturbed while fishing the other side will at all times ensure adequate available habitat for each years potential spawning recruitment a perfectly sustainable fishery which satisfies both the objectives of the GBRMPA and provides a compromise which rec and pro fishers could work with.

There is no spillover from a closed reef. The studies on tagged coral trout on Sudbury reef confirms the research opinion that Coral trout and other target species do not travel between reefs.