According to the Queensland industry representative body the marine park zones could affect the seafood production in a big way. Winston Harris, CEO of the Queensland seafood Industry Association (QSIA), informed that the marine park zones covered most of the waters off the State’s west coast, which include all of the Australian 200 mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) outside the existing Great Barrier Reef Marine Park plus and area stretching from Double Island Point must of the way up Fraser Island.
He also explained that the QSIA will take the matter with the fishermen in these regions to assess the likely impacts of marine parks that potentially will be declared in these waters, which will include some ‘no-fishing’ zones. Ban on fishing in these regions could have major impacts on boat owners and other seafood businesses.
Harris said that any fishing ban in these regions would have impacts well beyond the immediate coast. He added that there was already major economic harm done to regional economies from the fishing bans in the GBR Marine Park rezoning in 2004 and no-one wants to see that happen again. He also told that the government has assured to minimise impacts on industry because the industry cannot afford to lose assess to the grounds and nor can seafood consumers.
