Greens are plain wrong on fisheries

The article says the government has proposed a national network of marine parks that would cover more than a third of Commonwealth waters. It's controversial because opponents — including Coalition spokesman Richard Colbeck, angling lobby groups and many commercial fishers — argue the parks would “lock Australians out,” deny families and fishing businesses access to fish stocks, and lack a scientific foundation. Supporters and environment groups back the parks, and the proposal was in a final consultation period with fewer than 60 days remaining.

Yes. The article cites the Australian Fish Management Authority (AFMA), reporting that, using sound science, Australia’s fisheries are already sustainable, healthy and productive and are touted as a sustainable model before the world.

The article reports that evidence presented at the International Coral Reef Symposium suggests marine protected areas can provide a 'baby bonus' to neighbouring fisheries. A DNA-based study in the Keppel Island group tracked larvae and found a large proportion of juveniles settled in nearby areas open to fishing, which supporters of MPAs cite as a benefit.

Scientists used DNA samples to track dispersal pathways of juvenile coral trout and stripey snapper larvae around the Keppel Island group. They found that about 65% of juveniles settled in nearby areas that are open to fishing, indicating substantial larval export from protected to fished areas.

According to the article, anglers and commercial fishers favour targeted management tools such as size limits, bag limits and tackle restrictions rather than large-scale lock-outs (no-take zones) imposed by marine parks.

Opponents quoted in the article argue that the proposed parks would deny access to abundant fish stocks and harm families and fishing businesses by restricting where people can fish. Those critics say the parks are being driven by Greens and environment groups rather than by science.

The article describes west to north-westerly winds with little swell — generally good for sitting on anchor near shallow reefs. Reported species and hotspots include snapper (up to 5 kg at Long Reef), kingfish along the wall, trevally, morwong, pigfish, calamari on close reefs, Aussie salmon around headlands, tailor and bonito for lure trollers, tailor and salmon from beaches, luderick and jewfish in the Hawkesbury/Brisbane Water area, hairtail in Cowan Creek, John Dory at Newport moorings, bream and flathead in Narrabeen Lake, and a strong Southern bluefin run off Sydney.

The article states there were fewer than 60 days remaining in the final consultation period, and the proposed national network of marine parks would cover more than one-third of Commonwealth waters.