Territory's unique fishing lifestyle protected under Coalition
Territorians who delight in dropping a line in should vote for the Coalition in the Federal election, following this week’s announcement that a Coalition Government will immediately suspend the marine bioregional planning process.
Country Liberals Senator Nigel Scullion said he welcomed the Coalition’s plan to properly consult with recreational fishing groups and industry so that sensible and balanced marine park boundaries and management plans could be developed.
“Under the Coalition, the Marine Protected Areas will be based on science with all evidence of threats to marine biodiversity made available to all stakeholders in a fair and balanced consultation process,” Senator Scullion said.
“Under Labor, fishermen should be concerned about what’s in store for commercial and recreational fishing, as a result of Labor's secret preference deal with the Greens, and complete lack of consultation.
“Labor has not ruled out large no-take zones within Marine Protected Areas, which would result in serious damage to our fishing industry, loss of jobs and major restrictions on one of Territorians’ favourite recreational pastimes.
“A recent consultant's report has recommended minimum compensation for a limited group of displaced stakeholders including mining permit holders, Indigenous communities and some commercial fishing businesses. This report has only increased uncertainty across the fishing sector.
“This is a lifestyle issue. Fishing is a healthy activity and the average fisherman loves the environment, loves to experience it, and believes in managing our fisheries responsibly so that they can continue to be enjoyed by our kids.
“Territorians want a balanced approach to marine conservation. They don’t believe in large no-take zones which will make very little difference to fish stocks and which limit their ability to responsibly enjoy our unique environment.”
