The Boating Industry requests your immediate action

The Boating Industry requests your immediate action to support its response to the final consultation on the Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network – better known as Marine Parks.

A proclamation by Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke is resting on the outcome of the consultation and the only way to halt this is to register your objection .

RESPOND BY SUNDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 3PM

Dear Minister
I would like to make comment on the Commonwealth Marine Reserves Proclamation consultation to record that I do not support the Government’s proposals. The Marine Reserves Network, if implemented as proposed, will not achieve the objectives of protecting the marine environment of Australia and will in fact severely impact Australian’s enjoyment of the oceans surrounding our nation and our ability to utilise the resources of the seas in a sustainable way.

My objection to the proposals is based on the following key facts. • The process does not fulfil the requirements stated in the original conservation proclamation: it is not
relevant to the stated environmental threats and does not address the environmental protection
requirements; • The Federal Government released a very poor Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) and final ABARES
assessment some weeks after the Draft Marine Reserve Network was announced; • The Federal Government implemented a very loose ABARES socio-economic assessment that was primarily based on contemporaneous notes as there was not a detailed process implemented for the entire assessment process for what is the largest wholesale change in the commonwealth marine
environment since Federation;
• Compensation is set at $100 million for literally millions of sq kms of ocean and associated economic
and community displacement. The Draft Marine Reserve Network abuts 6 States and 1 territory. By contrast, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) is only 345,000 sq kms and abuts one state. Current compensation payments for the GBRMP stand at $240 million from the projected $10 million at the outset;• The Federal Government has allocated a meagre amount – $9.7M – for State Government enforcement of Commonwealth marine closures. Appropriate management of the proposals will not be possible on the proposed budget;• The Federal Government had not, prior to the release of the Draft Marine Reserve Network, prepared a Draft Management Plan for the South East, even after six years: this does not inspire confidence that the proposed new reserves will be managed in a timely and appropriate way;• The consultation process does not uphold the guidelines set out in the OECD code for public consultations, particularly with regard to transparent negotiations and sufficient and effective community engagement.

Unless the planned Proclamation is halted, these most important issues will not be addressed appropriately, setting back the process of creating a lasting legacy for the future of our marine environment that is supported by myself and millions of fellow Australians, be they boaters, fishers or ‘simply’ Australians who enjoy and respect the marine environment.

We can and must do better to protect and sustain our seas and I urge you to rethink the proposals you have made available for consultation.

ADD YOUR NAME TO THIS LETTER HERE