Fishing bans fait accompli in Marine Parks

Here's independent Rob Oakshott's rationale for last night (June 4) voting against the Federal Opposition's disallowance motion on recreational fishing and to therefore lend his support to the Federal Government's management plans that will forever lock-out anglers from the huge and imminent Commonwealth Marine Reserve network.

"Recreational fishing has an important place in community life and is to be encouraged.

"The creation of marine parks in Commonwealth waters, if done correctly, can lead to more fish for recreational fishers.

"Two questions have been answered today. The first is one of process. I am satisfied the process has been extensive and ample opportunity for input has been allowed. The second is the question of land-based fishing off beaches, in rivers and estuaries. Families will still be able to fish in coastal waters, beaches, estuaries and rivers.

"Marine park management plans are not all about recreational fishing – they are about protecting our unique marine areas from mining and commercial activity. Today I did not get to vote only on whether or not recreational fishing be allowed. I had to vote on maintaining marine park management plans or not. If the regulations were disallowed for recreational fishing, no protections could be put in place for at least six months. That would put us in a new 44th parliament. I believe mining companies and other activities would be exploring these areas at the expense of recreational fishing.

"I have supported the management plans but I ask government to please look at and address the concerns of recreational fishers, back your decisions up with science and make sure this sensible protection does not stop reasonable activity by Australia’s anglers in these areas. Four per cent of our deep sea areas are affected by these plans; they are more than 5.5km from shore. There is plenty of space around these areas, and recreational fishers can cross over these areas. I do understand that recreational fishers pride themselves on their sustainable practice, are participating in a sport, and are not trying to destroy an area of significance for profit or great personal gain.

"To the fishers who have contacted my office, as someone who believes in the motto ‘I fish and I vote’ put pressure on your local MP to stand in their party room and on the floor of parliament for your interests to make sensible changes to improve sustainable recreational and commercial fishing in Australia -- changes that recognise the recreational fishers’ contribution to sustainability and marine environment but keep these areas protected from the activities that threaten them is the balance I hope we all seek."