House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-10-17 Daily Xml

Contents

MARINE PARKS

Mr TRELOAR (Flinders) (14:51): My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation. Does the minister concede that the introduction of no-take sanctuary zones around Kangaroo Island and the West Coast will result in a loss of exports of sustainably fished abalone and rock lobster which currently bring in over $180 million a year through exports to China alone?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:51): No, I don't subscribe to that view. The view I do subscribe to, of course, is that the establishment of marine parks and associated sanctuary zones is going to actually be a benefit to the export potential of South Australia for those who market that produce as being that that is caught, and sustainably caught, out of South Australia's marine park system.

What I would say is that I don't believe that we will see any difference with respect to the 88 per cent of seafood that currently finds its way out of this state and out of this nation that is caught here in South Australia. In fact, as we have said, and as I will continue to say, the benefits of marine parks are multiple benefits, and those benefits will accrue not only to recreational anglers but commercial fishermen. They will benefit regional South Australia, they will benefit this state and, as a consequence of that, will benefit our nation.