Scientists push Reef fishing ban

[erron]

From today's Australian Newspaper:

Scientists push Reef fishing ban

By environment writer Amanda Hodge
November 01, 2003

Marine scientists have backed a plan to ban fishing across one third of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park amid fears a campaign by the commercial fishing lobby had succeeded in diluting the plan.

A statement issued by the Great Barrier Reef Research Foundation and signed by 15 scientists yesterday said the reef was already suffering from overfishing, trawling damage, turtle and dugong population declines and increased nutrient and sediments from land runoff.

It follows an admission by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority last month that the original draft plan had been drastically altered to appease the concerns of powerful fishing groups.

Australian Institute of Marine Science lead scientist Terry Done said he was concerned the driving principle behind the rezone - to preserve the biodiversity of the reef - was getting lost in the debate over fishing.

"There are rumours around that in the redraft this plan may be watered down and we think that would be a big mistake," Professor Done said.

The rezoning plan, based on years of research and 12 months of consultations, divides the reef into 70 representative bioregions and commits to protecting at least 20 per cent of each within a "green" or no-take zone.

It proposes to expand the area under green zones, where all netting, fishing and shipping is banned, from the current 4.6 per cent to 32.5 per cent.

Commercial fishing lobbyists have attacked the science behind the rezoning plan and say it would devastate their industry by closing off fishing grounds and concentrating fishing efforts in smaller areas.

Federal Environment Minister David Kemp, in Cairns this week to meet again with fishing lobbyists, denied the plan had been watered down.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/co ... 17,00.html