Coalition protects fishing industry and environment
27th July, 2010
A Coalition Government will immediately suspend the marine bioregional planning process, Federal Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss said today. “We will take immediate action to protect Australian fishing communities and the marine environment. A Coalition Government will establish sensible and balanced marine park boundaries and management plans in full consultation with industry,” Mr Truss said.
“Fishing is worth millions of dollars to the Wide Bay and the Sunshine Coast economies every year and supports countless jobs in local communities.
“But Labor, supported by its secret preference deal with The Greens Party, is proposing to close down more fishing areas off our coast, threatening the livelihoods of families and businesses who earn their living from fishing.”
More than 13,000 square kilometres of water is under consideration for closure. The Labor Government will not say how much it wants to lock up until after the election.
“Labor’s plans could devastate the commercial and recreational fishing industries which help to underpin the tourism and hospitality sectors. If fishing is excluded from the zone, businesses that supply the fleet will lose a sizable portion of their income,” Mr Truss said.
“The fishing industry understands the importance of maintaining environmentally sustainable fisheries but is desperately anxious about the economic and environmental risks of Labor’s proposal. The Coalition’s position gives the industry clarity and certainty.
“If the Labor Government is allowed to proceed with its planned fishery closures, our fish will need to be imported from countries where there are no management schemes in place, endangering fish species in other parts of the world.
“Any disruption to the fishing industry will cost jobs and destroy the lifestyle attraction of the region for many people,” Mr Truss said.
“The Marine Protected Areas will be based on science with all evidence of threats to marine biodiversity made available to all stakeholders in a fair and balanced consultation process.
“The Coalition supports a balanced approach to marine conservation. We will balance environmental and cultural preservation with the needs of fishing industries and local communities.”
“The only way to stop Labor closing down the fishing industry is to change the Government,” Mr Truss added.
