Recreational Fishing

The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:03): When the reef project does happen and is established, can the minister guarantee fishing will be allowed on the artificial reefs and that they will not solely be used as habitat protection zones?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (15:03): Mr President, you can see where the honourable member is trying to go with this fear campaign and scare campaign, just like they did with marine parks. And how flat did that fall for them, with over 80 per cent of our South Australians supporting marine parks, because we don't trust the Liberal Party in this state with their hands on the environment. That is what South Australians are saying, and that is what they say consistently: you cannot trust the Liberal Party in this state or at a federal level with their hands on the environment.

In terms of the recreational fishing reef, of course it will be available for recreational fishing. That is what the grant program was set up to do. Because it is enhancing a shellfish reef which has been long absent in the gulf, that will also enhance seaweeds and grasses growing. This is the important habitat that recreational fish need in order to thrive and reproduce. It is not that hard; as the Hon. Michelle Lensink said, you just need to think a little bit.