VICTORIAN anglers cannot afford to take politicians at their word.
A case in point is their promises the state's marine parks network will not be expanded in response to green demands.
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As East Gippsland independent Craig Ingram argues, the recreational and commercial fishing industries must ensure both sides of politics commit to legislated moratoriums on the expansion and creation of new marine parks along the state's coastline.
The NSW Government has already thrown its support behind a five-year moratorium and nothing less will do here in Victoria.
Existing marine parks and sanctuaries cover 5.3 per cent of the state's marine environment and the Victorian National Parks Association wants that figure raised to 25 per cent.
Locking up a quarter of the state's coastline will simply put greater pressure on the remaining fisheries, cripple small coastal communities and create a paradise for poachers.
History has shown green groups such as the VNPA doggedly persist with, and often win, their demands. The ban on alpine grazing and the locking up of box-ironbark and red gum forests are a case in point.
The losers are always the small towns whose economies rely on these natural resources.
Yes, it's true governments offer compensation and assistance to these towns, but short-term aid fails to cover such gaping economic wounds.
The VNPA argues eco-tourism, such as diving and sea kayaking can offset the loss of dollars flowing into small coastal towns from recreational anglers.
But such simplistic arguments fail to recognise 721,000 Victorians went fishing in 2008-09 due to ease of access.
There is a strong chance the Greens will gain the balance of power in the Victorian Lower House after November 27.
The Coalition holds 32 seats and must win 13 more to gain the 45 seats needed for a clear majority. Anything less and the Greens and independent Craig Ingram hold the cards.
That means Labor or the Coalition may well be forced to cut deals on marine parks and other green demands to form government.
It's time for anglers and the commercial fishing industry to ensure our political leaders draw a line in the sand in response to the latest VNPA demands and promise to implement legislated moratoriums on more marine parks.
