House of Assembly: Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Contents

MARINE PARKS

Mr PENGILLY (Finniss) (16:24): My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation. Why is the minister claiming that only $4 million will be lost from the South Australian professional fishing sector under the government marine park sanctuary zones? The Kangaroo Island fishing industry has calculated that it will lose just under $4 million on Kangaroo Island alone through the rock lobster and scale fishing sectors. This does not include what will be lost through the abalone sector. When they met yesterday with the KI Futures Authority, a government authority charged and funded by the government to increase and enhance primary production, they were absolutely horrified.

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (16:24): I am not quite sure where the assertion being made by the member for Finniss is coming from, but the state government made numerous commitments to the commercial sector throughout this marine park process. We have reinforced those commitments every stage of the way, and one is that we will pay for displaced effort

In addition to that, on the preliminary calculations that have been undertaken by the government, the commitment previously was—and that commitment still remains—no more than 5 per cent of GVP across the state with respect to impact on the fishing industry. Preliminary analysis is that it will be well under that. Of course, that will be confirmed through the process of the development of the impact statements and draft management plans.

We never suggested that it will not have an impact on commercial fishing in those areas of highest level conservation, but we have also underpinned this process by a four-step process, which says: avoid displacement where we can; zone in such a way that, where displacement occurs, you can fish nearby; buy out displaced effort; and finally, one that we hope we will not have to use at all (and I am confident that we will not), which is to compulsorily acquire. I am very happy with the process that has been undertaken to date. As I said—

Mr Pengilly: Consult and ignore.

The SPEAKER: Member for Finniss, order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: —the introduction of marine parks with sound sanctuary zone proposals in them will enhance this state's capacity and be of economic, social and environmental advantage for future generations, and indeed this generation.