In yet another move demonstrating its complete lack of green credentials, the Coalition has decided to put plans for what would have been the world’s largest marine reserve on hold.
A network of marine protected areas (MPAs) around the Australian coast had been agreed on by the previous government, and critical zones were closed to fishing, recreational and commercial.
Now the Coalition is backtracking on those management plans and plans to open the exclusion zones to fishing. This basically means they are not actually protected areas at all.
Marine biodiversity and the long-term future of the fishing industries themselves depend on the existence of these sanctuaries. The short-term satisfaction of recreational and commercial fishing interests should never come first.
Tell Greg Hunt to stop, for once, putting industry before the environment and the future, and stick to the previously agreed management plans.
We the undersigned insist that you stick to the previously agreed management plans for the new marine reserves and parks. No-take zones were closed to fishing, and to be in any way effective in preserving biodiversity and fish stocks they must remain so.
We are tired of this government always putting industry and its short-term profits before the environment, the future, and the Australian people. Kindly do not let our marine wildlife be decimated.
Thank you for your attention.
