12 March 2013

MEDIA RELEASE NSW GOVERNMENT PROVES THAT AN INDEPENDENT SCEINCE DRIVEN MARINE PARK PLANNING PROCESS CAN BE ACHIEVED TO PROTECT BOTH JOBS AND THE ENVIRONMENT The Australian Marine Alliance (AMA) today applauded the decision by NSW Ministers Katrina Hodginson (Primary Industries) and Robyn Parker (Environment) to deliver a sensible scientific policy outcome around fishing, marine management and environmental protection. Dean Logan, AMA CEO, This is an outstanding development in policy making that delivers for the environment by essentially taking the scientific argument out of the political gutter. The establishment of the Marine Estate Management Authority and Expert Knowledge Panel should silence the environmental lobby and Greens for good. Industry has always asked for independence and robust peer reviewed science and they now have it in NSW. Today we see the environment win. In contrast environmental NGOs, the Greens and Labor Governments in SA and at the Federal level, have consistently refused to embrace sound science and a robust independent process toward fisheries management and marine conservation. The NSW decision though sets the tone for policy reform at the federal level and a concerted effort to stop and ultimately reverse the draconian Tony Burke led marine reserve process. What we want to see is policy that builds capacity not strips away the very important role commercial and recreational fishermen play in managing and protecting the marine environment. Thanks to the courage of the NSW Government, and might we add the Shooters and Fishers Party, commonsense has finally prevailed, ended Mr Logan. Australian Marine Alliance - www.australianmarinealliance.com.au NSW | ACT | SA | NT | WA | VIC | TAS | QLD For further media information, please contact: Dean Logan 0403 195 798