Fishing ban would crush business
Don”t stop fishing: Anderson Inlet Angling Club members Malcolm Marshall, Peter Knigge and president June Laycock do not want new marine parks established that would see an end to recreational fishing at Inverloch.
By Helen Bowering and Brad Lester
FISHING would be banned in Anderson Inlet under a proposal to establish a marine national park, stripping thousands of dollars from the South Gippsland economy.
The Victorian National Parks Association wants more marine parks around the state, and has proposed to establish a marine park in Anderson Inlet and extend the nearby Bunurong Marine and Coastal Park between Inverloch and Cape Paterson.
Such a move would devastate the economy of Inverloch, as fishing is a major attraction for locals and tourists alike, said Peter Knigge of the Anderson Inlet Angling Club.
“If a government wants to be out of office, introducing these new marine parks would be a sure fire way of being voted out,” he said.
“There is no way the State Government would be introducing these parks before the election but it remains to be seen what happens after the election and into the future.
“Obviously these plans are on the books and if this comes up again, the government would have strong opposition from our local angling club and indeed many angling clubs around the coast.
“Fishing draws hundreds of visitors to Inverloch and the local area. During the peak summer holiday period there would be at least 80 boats out on the inlet.”
Club president June Laycock has been fishing since she was a child and would like see the tradition continue.
“It helps keep the kids off the streets and builds a love of the outdoors, the fresh air and promotes exercise. I just couldn’t believe it when we heard news of the proposed new marine parks that could threaten fishing in the inlet,” she said.
“It would be devastation for the town, our club and our members.”
Ms Laycock said the club was established in 1953 and people had enjoyed fishing the local waters for generations.
“Fishing would contribute about 85 per cent to tourism in Inverloch and a marine park would be a real blow to the town. It would be hard to know what percentage (of people) would still come to town if they couldn’t fish,” she said.
“A lot of people have been attracted to Inverloch because of the fishing and have ended up staying in the town.
“If these new marine parks were ever to be introduced that would mean an end to our club and we certainly wouldn’t want that.”
The State Government was quick to rule out any consideration of more marine parks in Victoria and the Coalition has also opposed further parks.
But the national parks association’s executive director Matt Ruchel labelled the government’s rejection of its plan as a “knee-jerk decision”.
“The Brumby Government has caved in at the first sign of debate and deception from the anti park lobby,” he said.
“This step shows clear contempt for the importance of protecting Victoria’s unique marine environment, and is an insult to the millions of Victorians who want to see the state’s precious marine jewels protected.
“It’s also a miscalculation, as the government’s own research shows the vast majority of the Victorian public supports marine parks.
“VNPA will continue to push for marine parks as a key strategy to ensure our ocean environment, and the rich biodiversity of the underwater world is protected for future generations.”
A report released by the association on Saturday cited Anderson Inlet as having “important sandflat and saltmarsh habitat” and being a feeding and breeding ground for birds. The report states the Bunurong coast is home to a threatened sea cucumber.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Gavin Jennings, said the government would not act on the association’s proposal.
“The Brumby Labor Government has ruled out creating more marine parks and will not amend the current marine national parks before the election or during the next term of government. This is similar to the moratorium introduced recently in New South Wales,” Mr Jennings said.
“While independent groups like the Victorian National Parks Association are free to put forward their views, this is not a proposal that the Brumby Labor Government is entertaining.”
Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Mary Wooldridge, also rejected the proposal, saying a Coalition Government would instead focus on addressing Labor’s neglect of Victoria’s existing marine national parks and sanctuaries.
When the Labor Government created marine parks, it promised to fund an extra 26 fisheries officers to ensure they were properly managed, Ms Wooldridge said.
“However, the number of fisheries officers has declined during Labor’s time in government and Victoria now has 14 fewer fisheries officers than it did six years ago,” she said.
Short URL: http://www.thestar.com.au/?p=225
Posted by 
