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Park could slow tourism

02 Jul, 2009 12:30 AM
LOCAL anglers are fearful of fishing grounds they might lose if marine park boundaries are kept at the original proposed size.

Eyre Peninsula Recreational Fisheries Committee chairman Gary Flack said recreational fishers were always the ones losing access to water though aquaculture, land development and now marine parks.

Mr Flack has suggested that it might be time to consider the introduction of recreational fishing zones to ensure a future for the tourism drawcard.

He is one of many Eyre Peninsula stakeholders who want the State Government to scale back its outer boundaries of Marine Park 6, which includes popular fishing waters near Tumby Bay and the islands of Sir Joseph Banks Group, to lessen the impact on the multi-million-dollar commercial and recreational fishing sectors.

Local government, recreational and commercial fishers sent a proposal to the State Government earlier this month that recommended the boundaries be reduced.

Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen's Association spokesperson Greg Palmer said the government's outer boundaries had already been declared and Minister Jay Weatherill had until July 31 to make any adjustments.

He said the minister had indicated he would make a decision this Friday on which way the process was headed. Whether he would stick with the original boundaries or go with the scaled back local government and fishermen's proposal, but a spokesperson for Mr Weatherill said on Tuesday the minister was still considering advice from working groups and other public submissions.

"The government has made a commitment that marine parks will be designed in a way to minimise economic impact," the spokesperson said.

But the spokesperson could not commit to a specific date when a decision would be made public.

Tourism is the third biggest industry on Eyre Peninsula, estimated to be worth $190 million to the region, and one of the main reasons for this is the coastal and fishing experiences, according to Eyre Regional Development Board chief executive officer Mark Cant.

"Tumby Bay has a focus on tourism and as a retirement destination ... and we have seen significant growth in the Tumby Bay area in the last 10 years," he said.

"A marine park in the immediate area could have a dramatic affect to the tourism and investment attraction to the area in terms of housing and accommodation."

It is estimated more than 6000 people per annum come to Tumby Bay to fish the coast with business turnover about 100 per cent higher between December and April.

Tumby Bay District Council mayor Graeme Stirling said the council was concerned about many impacts the marine park could have to the town if the boundaries stayed at the larger size.

The council has concerns for tourism, local business, employment opportunities, land development and housing prices and social impact.

Mr Stirling said the council had this week approached the minister about attending a public meeting in the town sometime over the next fortnight.

South Australian Sardine Industry Association president Christian Pyke said the minister had claimed in writing that the marine parks would avoid even a five per cent economic impact on the fishing industry of South Australia.

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