Archived page, Submission Shoalwater Islands Marine Park Management Plan

Submitted to the Department of Fisheries 30th January 2002

Whilst Recfishwest continues to be supportive of the thrust of the proposed management plan we offer the following comments for consideration:

1. Recfishwest remains critical of the compromise to reduce the size of the Becher Point Sanctuary Zone. We note that the larger zone was the preferred position from an ecological perspective and believe that this should not have been compromised due to one stakeholder's unwillingness to forgo one relatively small area.

Our broader concern is that this concession, at the expense of scientific integrity, may be seen as precedent to a series of similar concessions during the planning processes for other marine reserves along the WA coast.

Indeed this has already shown to be the case and unfortunately has been a significant factor in Recfishwest's rejection of the planning outcomes for the Jurien Bay Marine Reserve. This is highlighted by the following excerpt from our submission to the Jurien Bay Marine Park Indicative Plan:

"We wish to express our deep concern that the deliberations of the Advisory Committee process have led, thus far, to outcomes that do not meet the requirements of all stakeholders and that the interests of commercial rock lobster fishers have been allowed to dominate recreational, environmental and scientific interests in the proposed Park."

2. Recfishwest has previously supported the proposed locations of each of the three sanctuary zones. Notwithstanding this we have since been informed that the most southern sanctuary zone encompasses a very popular tailor fishing location. It has been suggested to Recfishwest that if the sanctuary zone was relocated further northward, immediately adjacent the Sister Rocks themselves, then this concern would be alleviated without compromising the values of the sanctuary zone itself.

3. We note the proposal to prohibit spearfishing within the Park using any means of compressed air for respiration.

Recfishwest believes that we all need to have better information on the impact of air-assisted spearfishing. If CALM has this information we believe it should present it, or the references. We are genuinely at a loss to know what is both right and fair in this situation; but in the absence of data we are reluctant to support this part of the Plan as it stands.

In conclusion we note the proposal to initiate the statutory process to extend the boundaries of the Marine Park. We take this opportunity to register our interest in being formally involved in this process.

See also later withdrawal of support



This page last updated on 30 December 2003.