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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-10-16 Daily Xml
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Marine Parks

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:32): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation a question regarding ecotourism in marine parks.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: One of the arguments put forward by the government in favour of particular sanctuary zones is that ecotourism will provide alternative economic opportunities for people to interact with marine wildlife in regional South Australia. I note that clause 8(3)(h) of the Marine Parks (Zoning) Regulations 2012 outline that tourism operators within sanctuary zones would be liable to an expiation fee of $315 if:

A person must not, for fee or reward, conduct a tour of the zone or otherwise carry on a business comprising tourism in the zone.

My question is: given that interaction with native marine species is likely to change wild animal behaviour, as has been demonstrated by the CSIRO in relation to berleying associated with shark-cage diving, has the minister's department developed guidelines for tourism operators within marine parks and, if not, why not?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:33): I thank the honourable member for his most important question, and indeed it is very timely because, as I understand it, my department will be approaching the tourism commission to develop opportunities about ecotourism. Looking at the vast evidence that is available to us from Western Australia, New South Wales or indeed New Zealand, it shows big opportunities for regional communities and economies in terms of attracting tourists to our marine parks, particularly on the back of sanctuary zones, which is what tourism is all about. It is about looking at the preservation of wilderness and terrestrial parks, or our marine parks and our sanctuary zones.

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