Fishing industry has expressed their concern over the growing benefits of marine parks in South Australia. The fishing groups have called for clear examination of these benefits. The fishermen believe that SA’s 19 marine parks economy could be suffering unnecessarily because of restrictions on fishing and commercial activities.
According to the information three fishing groups are calling for an independent scientific assessment to determine the benefits of the conservation areas. They also questioned the cost and efficacy of marine parks at the state parliamentary inquiry on Thursday. Protected sanctuary zones prohibit fishing and commercial activities.
The SA Rock Lobster Advisory Council, SA Blue Crab Pot Fishers Association and SA Gulf St Vincent Prawn Industry all spoke in a submission to the government raising question that Why should industry, regional South Australia and the SA economy in general suffer significant impacts if the marine parks network, through lack of management, will be ineffectual in providing any real community benefit?
The SA Rock Lobster Advisory Council said it was not the purpose of the Marine Parks Act 2007 to manage recreational or commercial fisheries. It also said that the fisheries management arrangements in SA have been recognised internationally as among the best in the world for achieving sustainability of fish resources.
