THE Greens are committed to strengthening the Batemans Marine Park to ensure that it works to restore fish stocks and protect marine life, according to Greens candidate for the Bega electorate, Margaret Perger.
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Ms Perger said that a strong Marine Park is good for tourism, fishing and the environment.
“While I am happy that 20 of the 30 ‘no take zones’ have been restored to their sanctuary status, this is not enough; and it is a pity that this set the program back 18 months. “
“It is an even bigger pity that the effectiveness of the Marine Park has been actively undermined by local Bega MP, Andrew Constance, who has subverted the beach sanctuary zones from day one.”
“Many of the sanctuary zones were in scientifically selected areas often adjacent to on-land National Parks. This protected the zones from the extra hazards of agricultural and urban run-off and deadly pollution such as plastic bags.
“Just 7% of the NSW coastline is in a National Park and of that shoreline just 4% is in sanctuary zones, so nobody could seriously claim that there a shortage of places for beach fishing,” Ms Perger said.
“The case for strong Marine Parks was backed up in 2012 by the Liberals’ own Independent Scientific Audit Report, which reaffirmed the crucial role that Marine Parks and sanctuaries play in protecting the unique marine life of NSW.
“It fairly and squarely demolished claims that Marine Parks and sanctuaries are based on ’voodoo science’,” she said.
“As if overfishing is not a big enough challenge for recovering fish stocks, local fishing inspectors [1] have recently caught and charged someone for using an illegal commercial fishing net in a coastal lake. Heavy penalties are needed to send a strong message that this kind of thing is not on.”
“The Greens stand for a full, immediate restoration and enforcement of all sanctuaries.”
“The scientific evidence certainly supports our position and opinion polls[2] show that we have overwhelming public support for it as well,” Ms Perger said.
Lib Dems want access restored
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrats Senator David Leyonhjelm, who is leading the campaign for the Outdoor Recreation Party to win the balance of power in the NSW Upper House says people of the South Coast should have access to the Batemans Marine Park fully restored to them for fishing and other outdoor activities.
“People choose to live on the South Coast because of its magnificent surroundings, only to be locked out by a few posturing decision makers in Sydney and their local cheerleaders who think the great outdoors is a reality television program,” Senator Leyonhjelm said. “Sanctuary zones or National Parks have no purpose if they are not accessible to the people who pay for them.”
“We are strongly opposed to locking up large areas so that only privileged public servants and politicians and permitted to enter them, and would repeal marine parks and open up and improve access to national parks around the south coast,” Senator Leyonhjelm said.
The Outdoor Recreation Party was formed by a coalition of anglers, horse-riders, four-wheel drivers, sporting shooters and others who love the outdoors but have been effectively not allowed to use public land.
Senator Leyonhjelm said that like the Liberal Democrats, the Outdoor Recreation Party was not a one issue party.
“The Outdoor Recreation Party shares the sensible policies of the Liberal Democrats based on classical liberal principles. That means low taxes, less regulation, free markets, individual liberty, and an end to the nanny state.”