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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-11-15 Daily Xml
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MARINE PARKS

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (15:15): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Leader of the Government, representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, questions regarding Marine Park 14.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: I understand that recently on two occasions the minister met with representatives of the Marine Park 14 Action Group. The action group is concerned about the impact that the minister's proposed marine park sanctuary zone will have on the town of Port Wakefield, which is heavily reliant upon recreational fishers and the associated income that the town derives from having a reputation as a premier recreational fishing location.

The Marine Park 14 Action Group has put together a comprehensive submission in response to the sanctuary zone. Included in this submission is their own proposal about where they believe the sanctuary zones will be best placed to minimise adverse impacts on the town. I understand that the minister's proposed zones cover 23 per cent of the marine park whilst the action group's proposal covers 18 per cent. My questions to the minister are:

1. Has an economic and social impact assessment been conducted with regard to the effect that the proposed sanctuary zones will have on the community of Port Wakefield?

2. Has the minister read the Marine Park 14 Action Group's submission?

3. Is the minister aware of the alternative proposal for the sanctuary zone and, if so, can the minister advise whether serious consideration has been given to this alternative?

4. If consideration has been given to the alternative sanctuary zone, could the minister provide details of why the alternative was not acceptable?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (15:16): I thank the honourable member for his most important questions and I am happy to refer those to the Minister for Environment in another place and bring back a response. However, in relation to the issue of the marine parks' impact on fisheries, the government has been working very closely with fishing industry representatives over several years to help minimise the potential impact of marine parks on fishing activities. South Australia's fishing industry has acknowledged the efforts of PIRSA to assist in minimising that impact, particularly in relation to commercial and recreational fishers.

PIRSA has worked with the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources to pursue pragmatic zoning to minimise impacts on aquaculture, commercial and recreational fishing activities which are environmentally, socially and economically sustainable and which are important providers for jobs and economic returns in regional South Australia. PIRSA is an active participant in the whole of government Marine Parks Steering Committee established by DEWNR to facilitate across-agency consultation and communication on the development of the marine park system.

The marine parks are not being developed to manage fisheries or aquaculture, which continue to be managed through the Fisheries Management Act and Aquaculture Act. Detailed draft marine management plans and impact statements are currently (as we know) out for public review, and the community and fishing industry have until a particular date to feed back their comments. This government does listen to that feedback, and we continue to do that. PIRSA has been working with SARDI and DEWNR to meet with all industry sectors that have made submissions, working on helping to assess the displaced catch costs or estimates value. Until the management plans are implemented, current activities within the marine park boundaries will continue.

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