Petition launched over impact of Labor’s marine reserves on fishing and tourism

April 28, 2010

Federal MP Luke Hartsuyker has called on the North Coast community to support a petition which registers concerns over plans to restrict recreational and commercial fishing off the New South Wales North Coast.

Mr Hartsuyker said the petition, which is being launched across the region this week, was in response to moves by both the Federal and State Labor Governments to further restrict fishing off the coast. In recent weeks the Rudd Government has identified an area from Brooms Head to Hat Head for further assessment under a plan to create a marine reserve in Commonwealth waters. Last week the New South Wales Labor Government also released a new plan of management for the Solitary Islands Marine Park which will ban prawn trawling and expand the no fishing sanctuary zone.

“Last week’s announcement by the State Government to blanket ban prawn trawling in the Solitary marine park highlights why the fishing and tourism sectors are so concerned about the proposed new marine reserve in Commonwealth waters,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

“The area identified for the new Commonwealth marine reserves stretches 80 kilometres off shore. If Peter Garrett’s ideologically driven department locks up this area it will have a devastating impact on both our commercial and recreational fishing industries. It will also mean consumers will no longer be able to purchase fresh local seafood. The flow through effect on tourism would be disastrous. Each year tens of thousands of people visit the North Coast to fish. If you lock up these areas, those people will just holiday somewhere else.”

Mr Hartsuyker said the problem was not so much the process to establish marine reserves but rather what Governments do once the areas are declared. “Last week’s announcement by the NSW Government is widely viewed as a grab for Green preferences in the lead up to next year’s State election. If Federal Labor takes the same approach then it could be devastating for coastal economies. It is essential the future management of our waters is based on comprehensive scientific data. A sustainable fishing sector is in everyone’s best interests but it is essential that marine protection is balanced against community needs.  That is the message I intend to take to Canberra.”

The petition will be widely circulated in the Clarence Valley, Coffs Coast, Nambucca and Macleay Valleys. Anyone who would like copies should contact Mr Hartsuyker’s office on 66 52 62 33.