Fishing community the big losers

The Australian recreational fishing community is the big loser out of the Marine Park Plan announced on Friday according  to the the Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA). Chief Executive Allan Hansard said: "The Government’s Marine Plan will hurt recreational fishing communities all around Australia.

"Not only is the Government locking recreational fishers out of over 1.3 million square kilometres of Marine Park, without a valid scientific reason, but recreational fishers and the communities and businesses that support them will not be compensated.

"The Government is providing $100 million to commercial fishing operations based on a Government economic assessment that excluded the impacts of Marine Parks on the recreational fishing community and focused only on the commercial fishing sector.

Mr Hansard went on to say that Australia’s recreational fishers will not be compensated for the lost opportunity to fish some of the most iconic fishing spots in the world. "The Charter operators that take recreational fishers to these areas will not be compensated. The corner store that sells fishing gear and bait will not be compensated. The other businesses in the affected communities such as the caravan park and hotel owners, the supermarkets and petrol stations will not be compensated," he added.

"What is perplexing about the Government’s stance on this is that recreational fishers will be banned from Marine Parks yet divers, tourist charter operators, container ships and even Defence Force activities will be allowed in.

"We ask the Government to review its Marine Park Plan and base the decision to allow activities into Marine Parks on sound science. We also ask the Government to recognise that this decision will hurt local communities and they will not be compensated for their loss."