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Thread: AFTA, media release. Nov 2012

  1. #1

    AFTA, media release. Nov 2012

    Australian Fishing Trade Association
    Protecting Australia’s Fishing Future


    Marine Park Plan - Australian Recreational Fishing Community the Big Losers

    The Australian recreational fishing community is the big losers out of the Marine Park Plan announced on Friday. The Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) Chief Executive Allan Hansard said “that the Government’s Marine Plan will hurt recreational fishing communities all around Australia.

    “Not only is the Government locking recreational fishers out of over 1.3 million square kilometres of Marine Park, without a valid scientific reason, but recreational fishers and the communities and businesses that support them will not be compensated.

    “The Government is providing $100 million to commercial fishing operations based on a Government economic assessment that excluded the impacts of Marine Parks on the recreational fishing community and focused only on the commercial fishing sector.

     Australia’s recreational fishers will not be compensated for the lost opportunity to fish some of the most iconic fishing spots in the world - some areas described as the recreational fisher’s Mt. Everest;

     The Charter operators that take recreational fishers to these areas will not be compensated;

     The corner store that sells fishing gear and bait will not be compensated;

     The other businesses in the affected communities, the caravan park and hotel owners, the supermarkets and petrol stations will not be compensated.

    “What is perplexing about the Government’s stance on this is that recreational fishers will be banned from Marine Parks yet divers, tourist charter operators, container ship and even Defence Force activities will be allowed in.

    “We ask the Government to review its Marine Park Plan and base the decision to allow activities into Marine Parks on sound science. We also ask the Government to recognise that this decision will hurt local communities and they will not be compensated for their loss.”

    ENDS
    Media Contact: Alice Logan Edwards
    Mob: 0419 464 270
    Email: alice.loganedwards@afta.net.au
    Kingfisher Painting Solutions:- Domestic and Commercial.

    For further information, contact details, quotes or advice - Click Here





  2. #2

    Re: AFTA, media release. Nov 2012

    Keep Australia Fishing
    Media Release

    PO Box 5207, Kingston ACT 2604
    www.keepaustraliafishing.com.au
    ABN: 52 158 557 521

    16 November 2012

    Burke Sells Out Aussie Anglers

    Keep Australia Fishing (KAF) is the peak advocacy group representing 5 million anglers.

    “Environment Minister, Tony Burke, has caved into pressure from environmental lobbyists to create a flawed and uninspiring marine parks plan,” KAF Managing Director, Jim Harnwell, said today.

    “He had the chance to create marine protected areas that achieved key conservation goals yet recognised the unique socio-economic benefits of a sustainable recreational fishing sector.

    “However, it is clear with the announcement today that Minister Burke has simply toed the line given to him by the environmental lobby.

    “Minister Burke had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create an inspiring and visionary marine parks network. But he’s followed the same old line of locking it all up and throwing away the key.

    “This lock-up agenda is exactly what green and anti-fishing groups have demanded for the past several years. Today Minister Burke has delivered exactly what these groups have required from him. It is now crystal clear that the Minister and his Government have been hogtied on the marine parks issue by the Greens and other anti-fishing groups.

    “There was no scientific rationale behind the Government’s moves to lock anglers out of 1.3 million square kilometres of ocean. We’ve been asking for years why we need to be locked out. However, Minister Burke has never yet answered our questions. All we can do is keep asking, ‘why are you doing this to us?’

    KAF questioned the Minister’s decision to reward the commercial fishing sector with $100 million in compensation. “Why is the commercial fishing industry getting millions in taxpayer-funded compensation yet nothing is being provided for the rec-fishing communities?

    “Minister Burke’s decisions today are a slap in the face for our nation’s millions of recreational anglers. We’re the only user group getting locked out for no reason and with no compensation. Anglers won’t forget that our Federal Government has this day treated us with contempt.

    KAF and other rec-fishing organisations will now lobby hard to ensure the management plans governing the commonwealth marine parks allowed for well-managed recreational fishing activities.

    “Our Environment Minister should have rejected the extremist views espoused by anti-fishing groups and instead would have worked with anglers and other reasonable environmental groups to create an efficient and effective marine parks system.

    “Since the Minister has failed to do this, we’ll now push hard to ensure the management plans governing these new marine parks do not exclude anglers without good reason.
    “KAF and other angling organisations are committed to ensuring fishing rights for future generations of Aussie anglers.” Harnwell said.

    Media enquiries:
    Jim Harnwell - Director
    Email: jim@keepaustraliafishing.com.au
    Tel: 0412 546 832
    Kingfisher Painting Solutions:- Domestic and Commercial.

    For further information, contact details, quotes or advice - Click Here





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