Australia’s Government has given the country’s marine users just 30 days to consult on its management plans for the newly created Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network, but there is a worry over the impact it will have on the commerical fishing sector.
The Government's new network will add more than 2.3m sq km to Australia's marine reserve estate, making it the world's largest marine reserve.
Industry groups are asking for an extended consultation period of 90 days to properly review and contribute to the network plans.
The new plans, which will add an extra 20 reserves, will result in 3.1m sq km of ocean being managed primarily for biodiversity conservation which will change the management and operation of Australian's oceans - including how they are fished.
Trixi Madon, CEO, CFA, said: "This is the biggest change to how Australia’s marine areas will be managed likely to be experienced by most Australians in their lifetime. Marine industries and the community expect to be given a proper opportunity to consider the draft management plans and provide the Government with feedback. Thirty days, over a period that for many is the holiday season is inappropriate and unacceptable.”
She added: “We are talking about how 40% of the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone and how the myriad of new marine reserves will be managed. This includes how fishing operations will be impacted and managed and how experienced and knowledgeable fishers will participate in implementing the management plans.”
Since its creation in 1998, the Commonwealth and state and territory governments have set up 40 new marine reserves around Australia to create a National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas in order to contribute to the long-term conservation of marine ecosystems and to protect marine biodiversity.
