CREATING more marine parks is another attack on fishing, writes STEVE COOPER
The Victorian National Parks Association wants the State Government to create 20 more marine parks, a 20 per cent increase in area, by 2012.
Any move to further disenfranchise Victoria's more than 721,000 anglers is fraught with political and economic risks.
Recreational fishing is worth $2.3 billion to Victoria's economy, according to a report by Ernst & Young earlier this year.
The report was commissioned by Victoria's peak fishing body, VRFish, and chairman Geoff Cramer had some harsh words for the VNPA marine park grab.
"Frankly, it's an act of betrayal that the VNPA can be working with the recreational fishing community, through a fisheries co-management framework on one hand, while secretly compiling this study, and not consulting with us on this issue," Mr Cramer said.
"How the VNPA thinks creating conflict with the recreational fishing community will benefit marine biodiversity is beyond me.
"The VNPA's document would have you believe that recreational fishing has a far bigger impact on the environment than a catastrophic oil spill."
To support its case, the VNPA commissioned Australian Marine Ecology Pty Ltd to produce a Marine and Coastal Issues Paper.
However, rather than support the VNPA, the document's overall theme promotes the need for research and, if necessary, a secure form of marine parks where fishing can continue.
The document states: "This conservation review and gap analysis identified important knowledge gaps, with the habitats and biodiversity of considerable areas being unknown to science. It would be prudent to expedite surveys in such areas prior to any changes or additions to the MPA."
The VNPA has called for a comprehensive investigation of the state's marine environment through a Victorian Environmental Assessment Council study or similar transparent process where all parties have opportunity for input. Perhaps the VNPA would like to pay for this research? Anglers won't mind.
No-take marine parks are of no benefit and we already foot the bill for fisheries research previously met by state coffers.
The VNPA shopping list includes areas of the Gippsland Lakes, Mallacoota Inlet, Bemm River and the only reef system available to anglers fishing Corio Bay's outer harbour.
Victoria's existing MPAs are an unknown quantity. No research has proven they are environmentally beneficial.
Existing MPAs are not secure - an example being the Brumby Government's decision to allow construction of a pipeline from the desalination plant in South Gippsland through Bunurong Marine Park to discharge saline water into the sea.
Ten years ago, during the marine parks debate, green group activists attacked recreational fishers, claiming that angling was a privilege not a right.
Anglers remain the only group who pay, through the Recreational Fishing Licence, to use the marine environment and anglers remain the only recreational group specifically excluded from pursuing their chosen discipline in MPAs.
To care for the marine environment requires evidence-based research and input from all users, not just a green minority.
- Steve Cooper is The Weekly Times fishing writer
