New Marine Park management plans recognise rec fishing rights

The Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF), the national organisation representing the interests of Australia’s recreational fishing community, has welcomed the recent announcement by the Turnbull Government of new and improved management plans for Australia’s network of Marine Parks. The new plans follow years of consultation, review and public submissions.

“These new plans not only recognise recreational fishing as being largely compatible with the conservation objectives of marine parks they also finally recognise recreational fishing as a key value of Marine Parks,” said the Chairman of ARFF, Brett Cleary

“These new evidence-based management plans strike a good balance between the needs of all stakeholders and they are definitely a vast improvement on the previous plans which locked recreational fishers out of hundreds of thousands of square kilometres of Australians oceans with no scientific justification.”

Clearly said the new plans ensure fishers will retain access to some of their most beloved and important fishing areas such as the Coral Sea in the Northeast and Geographe Bay in the Southwest of Australia, locations which have provided generations of Australians with great and sustainable fishing experiences.

“ARFF are pleased the Expert Scientific Panel who reviewed the former Management Plans and Minister Frydenberg listened and addressed our concerns. The voice of reason, the voice of fishing families, and the voice of all reasonable stakeholders has been heard,” he said

GREEN BACKLASH
ARFF says they are not surprised that the usual groups are once again making outrageous and unsubstantiated claims about inadequate levels of protection, even though these new plans provide 200,000 square kilometres more protection than the previous plans.

It is worth noting some of these extreme, vocal and well-funded green groups won’t be satisfied until all fishing is stopped or until the political party they identify with is the one to introduce management plans.

“ARFF has no political affiliation and support these plans solely based on their merit.” Mr Cleary said.

ARFF’s members and supporters represent the estimated 5 million Australians who fish Australian waters and generate an estimated $10 billion annually in economic contribution for our local, regional and national economies.

This makes Australia’s recreational fishers the largest stakeholder user group affected by Marine Parks

SUPPORT SENSIBLE NEW PLANS
ARFF are now urging all politicians to put aside their political differences and support these new Marine Park management plans.

“It is time for Australia to finally have a National Network of Marine Parks that has something for everyone.”

“These plans provide our marine environment with a high level of protection while satisfying the needs of all reasonable stakeholders. After years of uncertainty it is now time for our marine environment to stop being treated as a political football.” Mr Cleary said.

ARFF urge people to check out the Marine Park Management Plans for themselves and to note the rational response to allow fishing in a sustainable manner in marine parks as indeed is the status quo in other marine parks around the world.

GOOD NEWS OUTCOME FOR COMMONWEALTH FISHERIES, TOO
On Thursday, March 29, the Commonwealth Fisheries Association (CFA) welcomed the passing of the Federal Government’s Marine Park Management Plans in the Senate, which establish the agreed usage of marine parks and secures the future of the $3.2 billion commercial fishing industry.

"This has been a long time coming, and for our Commonwealth wild-catch fishers it provides certainty. We have been united in standing strong for our fishing rights, whilst advocating for the conservation of marine habitats. We, just like the public want to see fish for the future,” CFA Chair Anthony Ciconte said.

The Marine Park management plans received the support of the Coalition and the entire Senate cross bench.

“Senator the Hon. Anne Ruston, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources and responsible for fisheries, over the 18 months has encouraged all stakeholders to conserve, protect whilst providing access to sustainable fish resources. This decision to implement Australian Marine Parks ensures we continue to provide fresh Australian seafood to everyday Australians. The announcement by Minister for the Environment, the Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP of the marine protected area management plans was welcomed not only by the CFA, but by our members," Mr Ciconte stated,

Many industry groups have worked to achieve the outcome we see today, but still some of our industry will be impacted under these plans. The CFA are supportive of our representative peak body Seafood Industry Australia working together with fishers that may still be negatively impacted by these plans to receive fair and adequate compensation," Ciconte said

“The plans in place means we can get back to fishing and allow our businesses to invest for the future, in the knowledge that our resource is secured and managed in a sustainable and responsible way,” he added.