Ms Gago spoke to stakeholders from the Natural Resources Management Board, Department for Environment and Heritage, and representatives from the fishing and aquaculture industries during a three-day visit.

“Any angst I have had in terms of feedback, nine out of 10 is because someone has received misinformation so once I'm able to provide them with correct information all say ‘oh that's not so bad’; most people are positive,” she said on the last day of her visit.

The South Australian Government is creating 19 marine parks in state waters by 2010.

The outer boundaries of these marine parks are due to be released for public comment in the second half of this year and zones within the parks will be developed with the help of local communities by the end of 2010.

“My message is that these 19 marine parks are most important for the conservation of our marine environment but also that we are approaching the planning of these parks in a very pragmatic way,” Ms Gago said.

She said the State Government would be taking into account the current use of the marine environment and it was important to use local knowledge to help decide the park boundaries.

Changes to the Marine Parks Bill before it passed parliament in November included a commitment to develop impact statements to accompany each draft management plan to identify any possible social, environmental and economic effects on local communities.

“Commercial fishing and aquaculture operations are an important part of South Australia's economy and this is recognised in the Marine Parks Bill, which includes displaced effort arrangements,” Ms Gago said.

“Marine parks will be a win, win for everyone; a win for the environment and a win for local industry and not just fishing, tourism as well.”

South Australian Sardine Industry Association president Christian Pyke said as the industry had voiced its concerns about marine parks earlier on, and Thursday was a “good relationship building exercise”.