The Australian Fishing Tackle Association (AFTA) and the Boating Industry Association of New South Wales (BIANSW) released an independent report today prepared by Ernst & Young which examines the reasons why Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are being established in Australia, the processes being followed to establish these MPAs and recommending a strategy for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of these MPAs.
Both AFTA and BIANSW believe the majority of land based and Boating based anglers do not object to the creation of Marine Protected Areas, However, recreational anglers are concerned that no-take 'sanctuary zones' are being created in some marine areas even when there is little or no evidence that recreational fishing in those areas is having an adverse effect on the marine environment.
As a result, rather than opposing the introduction of MPA's, we are seeking instead to develop a strategy that will help Australian governments with their task of achieving a more environmentally sustainable use of our marine resources.
Consistent with the recommendations of Ernst & Young's report, we believe governments need to:
1. Develop a National Marine Habitat Protection Strategy (NMHPS) to facilitate the creation of Australia's National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas.
We are seeking support from the Commonwealth, State and Northern Territory governments for a new joint initiative between the government agencies responsible for MPA and fisheries management, recreational angling associations, conservation groups and marine scientists.
2. Develop a better understanding of marine biodiversity and the impact of recreational fishing on biodiversity by properly studying the marine biodiversity that actuallye xists within each MPA. As a matter of urgency, before establishing any no-take sanctuary zones in popular recreational fishing areas, the State and Northern Territory governments should at least conduct workshops where marine scientists and recreational anglers are able to work together to determine the extent to which different fishing techniques are likely to impact on marine biodiversity in those areas.
3. Develop guidelines to assist officials with the application of the 'precautionary principle'. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity, which has been ratified by Australia, includes a 'weak' formulation of the 'precautionary principle'. The objective of this 'weak' formulation of the precautionary principle is to ensure that precautionary measures are taken to protect the environment only when there is a 'threat of serious or irreversible damage' to the environment. In practice, however, officials involved in MPA zoning often seem to be applying a 'strong' formulation of the 'precautionary principle'.
4. Create new 'special habitat protection zones'. We believe governments should:
a. create a new MPA protection zone - a 'special habitat protection zone', which would provide the second highest level of protection - second only to a 'no-take' or'sanctuary zone'; and
b. consider the use of such 'special habitat protection zones' before declaring any popular recreational fishing areas to be 'sanctuary zones',
The full independent study titled "Australia's Marine Protected Areas: Challenging Times Ahead" is available at http://www.bia.org.au/marine-parks
For further Information contact: Mr Doug Joyner, AFTA Executive Officer, Ph 02 9944 6210 or 0412 851 120 and
Mr Roy Privett, BIA General Manager, Ph 02 9438 2077 or 0414 382 077
