Archived page, Submission Shoalwater Islands Marine Park Management Plan

Submitted to the Department of Fisheries 25th February 2003

The process to establish the Shoalwater Islands Marine Reserve had been underway for some considerable time. During this time Recfishwest has continued to gain significant experience in respect to the establishment and purpose of marine reserves and our views have developed and changed.

Importantly, there has been a fundamental change in the Recfishwest policy on marine reservation and no take areas. A copy of this policy is attached for your information.

In light of this change we have re-considered the proposed Shoalwater Islands Marine Park Management Plan. We have concluded that the reasons provided for the establishment of the Shoalwater Islands Marine Reserve exclusion zones are not sufficient to warrant their implementation.

That is, we now strongly feel that the very limited conservation gains that might accrue from the proposed sanctuary zones are heavily outweighed by the loss of amenity to recreational fishers, many of whom have since informed us that the areas involved are valued fishing locations.

Accordingly I wish to advise that Recfishwest withdraws its previous support for the exclusion zones.



This page last updated February 2003.