Contentious marine park with 260,000ha sanctuary zones, ‘not about fishing sustainability’, Punch says

The contentious marine park set to bar fishing in about 260,000ha of water is “not about fishing sustainability”, according to WA Fisheries Minister Don Punch. The minister has urged the public to accept the final zoning of the South Coast Marine Park, which will span 1100km along WA’s southern coastline. “I just urge people to really accept that a decision has been made, and to now think about what opportunities might unfold from that decision,” he said. “I don’t think now is a time to dwell on all the negativities, but we are definitely working in a way that will support people into the future.” When asked whether fisheries might benefit from new sanctuary zones allowing the ocean to replenish, Mr Punch said fisheries in the region were already sustainable. “The fisheries themselves work at a very high standard, they are sustainable fisheries,” he said. “Marine parks are not about fishing sustainability, they’re about identifying important areas that need to be preserved for the future, for future generations. “We’re saying we want to keep this pristine and let it evolve naturally.” Final park plans released on Tuesday revealed sanctuary zones would be scaled back to include 20 per cent of the 1.3 million hectare park, down from the 25 per cent locked away in draft plans. These zones fell short of the 30 per cent recommended in a submission signed by more than 30 marine scientists but exceeded the WA Fishing Industry Council’s suggested cap of 10.7 per cent. WA Fishing Industry Council chief executive Melissa Haslam said the final plans would force some fisheries to leave the industry. Mr Punch said there would be compensation for those fishing businesses. “I recognise that there are people who are really worn out by the process to date, and if people want to leave the industry early, then the Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Schemes can support them to do that,” he said. “But for those who really want to look at the new opportunities, then we will work with people to look at how we can do that, both in terms of support and in terms of the regulatory framework.” Mr Punch said he would continue to explore how the marine park may offer “new opportunities“ for fisheries in the region. “We’ve found with marine parks elsewhere in the State, there’s always been anxiety when they’re first declared. There’s always been anxiety in the planning process,” he said. “But once they’re established, they’ve actually been incredibly successful in supporting — not only the fisheries community but also tourism . . . (and) marine research.”