Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Wednesday 18th August
Coalition’s Real Action Plan for Fisheries
The Coalition has today unveiled its real action plan to support Australia's commercial and recreational fishing sectors.
The real action plan recognises the important role fishing plays to hundreds of coastal and river communities in bringing enjoyment to millions of Australians and to the national economy.
A Coalition Government will give greater representation to the fishing sector, increased investment in promoting our sustainable seafood industry, provide more funding for fisheries research and commit to resourcing the fight against illegal foreign fishing.
And we will bring the balance back to Labor's flawed marine park planning process. We will suspend the process, allow for it to be restructured and increase consultation with the fishing sector.
Labor has forgotten Australia's recreational and commercial fishing sectors.
Labor has taken for granted the massive social, economic and environmental benefits that fishing has to our nation.
The commercial fishing sector has a value of more than $2.1 billion, making it the sixth largest primary producing sector.
In addition, it is estimated that 3.5 million Australians participate in recreational fishing, contributing well over $3 billion a year to the economy."
1. Appoint a Minister with direct responsibility for Fisheries
The Coalition will re-establish separate ministerial responsibilities for fisheries, giving greater focus and representation for Australia’s commercial and recreational fishing sectors.
2. Assist the fisheries industry to adapt to climate change
The Coalition will provide $5 million to assess the potential impact of changing ocean environments on the sustainability of fisheries and help individual businesses respond to this challenge.
3. Increase research and development for the fishing sector
The Coalition will increase matching contribution of $1 for every $1 raised by industry to $1.25. It will also fund grants of up to $50,000 for specialised research, mentoring or further study for scientists concerned with the fisheries sector.
4. Establish an Aquaculture Industry Development Fund
This $10 million fund will invest in industry or sector-wide projects that support the sustainable growth of aquaculture in Australia.
5. Promote a sustainable Australian seafood industry
The Coalition will provide $3 million to industry bodies to promote sustainable Australian seafood.
6. Consider the Hawke Review of the EPBC Act with specific focus on fisheries and sea issues
The Coalition will review the EPBC Act ensuring its suitability for marine issues.
7. Assist commercial and recreational organisations play a role in developing national maritime safety standards
The Coalition will provide up to $100,000 to assist relevant commercial and recreational organisations meet the costs of active participation in these deliberations.
8. Promote the environmental, health and social benefits of recreational fishing
The Coalition will provide $1.2 million for grants of up to $20,000 to recreational fishing clubs and organisations to promote the benefits of recreational fishing.
9. Conduct recreational fishing surveys every five years
The Coalition will collect data on the social and economic impact of recreational fishing as well as obtain catch data to help assess stock levels.
10. Form a Recreational Fishing Ministerial Advisory Council
The Coalition will form an Advisory Council comprising the Minister for Fisheries and the Minister for the Environment along with representatives of the recreational fishing sector.
11. Support a national peak body for recreational fishing and its participation in national consultations on the establishment of marine parks
The Coalition will provide $500,000 to a national peak body for recreational fishing and investigate longer term funding options.
12. Immediately put on hold the Marine Bioregional Planning process to allow for its restructure
The Coalition will immediately restructure the process to address concerns over Labor’s mismanagement of declaring Marine Protected Areas.
13. Provide a fair and balanced Displaced Effort Policy
The Coalition will place responsibility for the displacement policy with a Ministerial panel
jointly chaired by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and Arts.
14. Base Marine Protected Areas on science
The Coalition will require peer reviewed scientific evidence of threats to marine biodiversity be made available to all stakeholders, including affected communities and industries, before any decision is made on future Marine Protected Areas (particularly any no-take zone).
15. Establish sensible and balanced Marine Park boundaries and develop management plans in consultation with industry
The Coalition will consult closely with those people and industries that use the marine environment, including the recreational and commercial fishing sectors, to determine Marine
Protected Area management plans in accordance with relevant legislation and other regulatory frameworks.
16. Commit to fighting illegal foreign fishing
The Coalition is committed to maintaining all resources currently devoted to patrolling
Australia’s fishing zones.
Media Contact: Patrick Clancy 0402 641 170
posted 18 August 2010