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NEWS
Is this the model marine park?
Obama leads the way with recreational fishing in marine parks, says national rec' fishing groupThe Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF), the peak body representing Australia’s recreational fishing community, has asked Prime Minister Tony Abbott and State and Territory leaders to follow the example set by US President Barak Obama and create marine protected areas that encourage recreational activities including recreational fishing, yet ban industrial activities such as mining and commercial fishing that are harmful to the marine environment.
The call comes after President Obama just decalred the world's largest marine park by expanding the existing Remote Pacific Islands Marine National Monument. This offshore marine-protected area prohibits commercial extraction activities such as industrial fishing and mining but encourages recreational use and access for anglers, divers and other community groups interested in the marine environment.
Last year, the Abbott Government repealed the disastrous marine park policy of the previous Labour Government that would have resulted in recreational fishers being locked out of over 1.3 million square kilometres of Australian seas.
We now ask the Abbott Government as well as all State Governments to follow this lead and implement marine park policies that recognise the economic, social and environmental benefits of recreational fishing, rather than one based on the 'lock out’ mantra preached by extremist anti-fishing groups," ARFF Managing Director Allan Hansard said.
"The fact is that well-managed recreational fishing is completely compatible with marine conservation initiatives in the same manner as other recreational activities such as diving and tourism activities. The US Government has recognised this — we ask our Governments to also recognise this."
ARFF looks forward to working with the Commonwealth Government, State Governments and other stakeholders to achieve a marine-park network that is balanced and one all Australians can be proud of.
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Written byBoatsales Staff
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