THE INTRODUCTION OF MARINE PARKS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA
WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?
THE ISSUE
The South Australia government is about to pass the "Marine Parks Bill 2007" that will lead to the introduction of 19 marine parks in South Australia by 2010. At present all sections of the S.A. coastline are being examined to determine where the exact boundaries for the Marine Parks will be and where the marine protected areas (MPA's) should go within each Marine Park. Up to 15% of each Marine Park will most likely be sanctuary zones, MPA's, where nobody will be able to fish. The reason for this is to preserve marine biodiversity. The SA government is saying, as did the QLD and NSW governments, that we will be allowed to fish 85% of each Marine Park, but this area will probably be devoid fish, as most fishers know it is predominantly structure and gutters that hold fish. This process has already been carried out and implemented in Queensland and New South Wales with devastating results. The introduction of Marine Parks is a federal govt initiative to be carried out by all state and territory governments in Australia. Each state or territory seems to have some discretion as to where the Marine Parks are established and more particularly where the MPA's are established. By the time this is fully implemented throughout Australia we will have an estimated 50% of the World's marine parks. Good old Australia, the social conscience of the world! WHAT HAPPENED IN QUEENSLAND?
The MPA's were introduced several years ago with devastating results. There are now a large proportion of coastal and offshore waters that can now not be fished by recreational or professional fishermen. Because of the complexity of the MPA boundaries and the size of the sanctuary zones many Queenslander's gave up, sold their boats/caravans and have taken up other activities. In some coastal areas recreational fishing fell by 42% according to the Dept of Fisheries. The cost to industry supporting both recreational and professional fishing has been huge. The Federal Govt. has, so far, paid out over $200 million in restructuring grants to businesses directly affected by the introduction of the Marine Parks and this is still ongoing. This is "restructuring" to help people get back on their feet: its not full compensation that would have cost much, much more. And no money can pay for the lost businesses and broken lives that resulted. This money was federal money. The state government of S.A. has no obligation to pay any compensation. It has indicated that some compensation will be available to some commercial fishermen that are displaced by the MPA's, however; those land-based businesses supporting both recreational and commercial fishers would not be included. (Sunday Mail 30/9/07). This has also been confirmed in amendments passed by the upper house in SA on Tuesday 16/10/07. That's not surprising as the real cost has been estimated at over $1 billion. If this kind of "fair" compensation was paid it could bankrupt the State. In the first two years in Qld. 324 fishermen copped fines of about $2,500 and criminal records for fishing in the green zones of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Parks. These fishermen are our "Average Folk" and simply through ignorance or lack of navigation skills, found themselves in the wrong place. Now with criminal records, these anglers are denied jobs, visas and even insurance. Compare that to the penalty for exceeding the speed limit in a school zone? The Federal govt, in December last year, admitted its mistake and downgraded the offence to an infringement with an $1100 fine. Those 324 fishermen with criminal convictions have not had their convictions overturned, despite the efforts Senator Ron Boswell of the National Party who has been working on this issue for years and more recently of Senator Steve Fielding for Family First. The battle is still on with calls now establish yet another Marine Park, in Moreton Bay, on the doorstep of Brisbane.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA?
The introduction of MPA's similar to those in other states is about to take place in SA, being fully implemented by 2010. The bill has passed through the upper house and will be passed shortly by the lower house making this legislation law. Up to 15% of waters in Marine Parks will be placed off limits to all fishermen. Family First Member for the Upper House in SA, The Hon. D.G.E Hood proposed an amendment to the bill allowing recreational fishermen to use rod and line in all parts of any marine parks which was defeated. If a fisherman strays into an MPA (sanctuary zone) they will get one written warning. Do it a second time and the maximum penalty could be $100,000 or 2 years imprisonment. At this time the SA govt is not releasing any information concerning the location and size of Marine Parks in SA. The only information released has been a draft map outlining the Encounter Marine Park covering from the Murray mouth, including Victor Harbor, to Kangaroo Island and up to Carrickalinga, covering some 2400 sq km. This is a large area for 1 marine park and contains around 13 MPAs (sanctuary zones) where no fishing is to take place; these are where some of the best fishing is to be had. Several Councils are very concerned and I refer to article by Nigel Hunt in Sunday Mail (2/9/07), which reads "West Coast councils fear a series of marine parks will have significant social and economic impacts on many coastal towns" We feel they have need to be afraid, very , afraid. The bill gives the minister far reaching powers. Whilst the outer boundaries of each marine park must be passed by a resolution by the lower and upper houses, the implementation of a management plan which includes the establishment of MPAs (sanctuary zones) within the Marine Park appears, even after amendments to the bill, to be at the discretion of the minister making the marine parks political. Also to quote an example from the proposed bill: - Part 4 - Administration, Division 1, 21 - Functions and powers of minister. Clause 3: "Quote" Without limiting subsection (2), the minister may, subject to and in accordance with, the Land Acquisition Act 1969, acquire land for the purposes of the act. This could be very scary! We will leave this with you to interpret what this means. We feel shack owners on the foreshore of proposed marine parks need to ask the South Australian government what their intentions are with reference to this piece of legislation. Finally, in an interview on ABC radio by Matthew Abraham on morning talk back, the Minister for Environment and Heritage claimed that there would only be a small area of the 19 marine parks where recreational fisherman could not fish. As fishermen, we are being lulled into, we believe, a false sense of security by the SA government. They are simply not releasing any information about what the effects of the introduction of marine parks are likely to be even though they know what the impacts in QLD and NSW were, economically and socially. Make no mistake; the effects of this potentially horrendous piece of legislation will almost certainly be the same here. Amendments made to the bill in the upper house on Tuesday 16/10/07 makes the question of compensation to land based businesses, such as bait and tackle shops, marine repairers, caravan parks, seafood wholesalers (the list goes on) affected by the introduction of MPA's quite clear. Only professional fishermen displaced by the marine parks will be compensated. THERE WILL BE NO COMPENSATION FOR LAND BASED BUSINESSES WHO SUPPORT BOTH THE PROFESSIONAL OR RECREATIONAL FISHING INDUSTRY . We will make this point that the object of the marine parks is to conserve marine biodiversity. To preserve biodiversity means protecting those bottom structures that attract and hold fish. We would suggest that the small areas touted by the minister would be those areas that are targeted by fishermen because of their bottom structures. Those areas left to recreational and professional fishermen would be areas devoid of fish. South Australian's wake up!! We believe our rights to enjoy our country both on land and at sea are being eroded by horrific pieces of legislation such as the marine parks bill. THE AUSTRALIAN FISHING AND LIFESTYLE PARTY The AFLP was formed to battle ongoing issues relating to the introduction of Marine Parks in Queensland. They ran in the last election and in some seats polled up to 8.2% of the primary vote and were instrumental in increasing compensation to those businesses affected by the MPA's. A core of avid fishermen and lovers of the outdoors formed a branch of the party in SA, where 2 candidates for the Senate are running in the forthcoming Federal Election in an attempt to stop from happening in SA what has happened in Qld and NSW. Our position statement for SA and mission policy are outlined on the website. The Bill currently being passed by the SA parliament gives the environment Minister far reaching powers, which we feel, are excessive. Neil Armstrong and Paul Tippins are running for the Senate in the Federal election for the Australian Fishing and Lifestyle Party to point out to both the federal and state governments that there is massive of concern about the introduction of the MPA's and the continuing introduction of restrictive legislation. We are also running to represent outdoors activities, which have been hampered by punitive legislation, by both state and federal governments. We care about the environment. It needs to be protected and used responsibly, not just locked up by an over zealous green agenda both on land and at sea. We are a party in its infancy but are amazed by the overwhelming support we have received. We would urge any South Australian who values their right to the outdoors to contact us and lend support in the federal election. We are here for the long haul and will stand candidates in the next South Australian state election to protect all South Australians' rights to enjoy their state/country. Contacts are: Neil neil.aflp@hotmail.com Paul paul.aflp@hotmail.com
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