All
I'll add this into the fray too!
Greens silenced
Roger Dickson
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
? The Cairns Post
GREEN groups have been told they will not be allowed to speak at a public meeting to organise opposition to the proposed closure to fishing of one million sq km of the Coral Sea outside of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
The proposal bankrolled by the US-based Pew Environment Group and supported by the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre aims to create the world largest "no-take" marine park in the world.
Fishermen fear the closure of the Coral Sea would not only impinge on their rights but would lead to more green zones and the eventual closure of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to the shoreline.
Hooking up for a fight
Cairns and Far North Environment Centre campaigner Steve Ryan, who is also a fisherman, said he approached organisers of next Wednesday night?s meeting but had been rebuffed.
FNQ chairman of Marine Queensland and boat shop owner Wayne Bayne confirmed that Mr Ryan was entitled to his views but would not be taking to the podium among speakers including former Fishing Party candidate Dr Mike Mansfield and Australian Fishing Tackle Association boss Doug Joiner.
"There are two issues with a CAFNEC presentation," Mr Bayne said.
"One is that the speakers have been organised for some period of time.
"The other is until now they have made no attempt to publicise the issue any more than they had to and have made no attempt to until this week to engage the fishing and wider community."
However, Mr Ryan denied this was the case saying the issue had led the organisation?s website for months.
He said it was vital CAFNEC speak at the meeting to clear up misconceptions in the fishing community including the "conspiracy theory" that any closure of the Coral Sea would lead to more green zones in the inshore marine park.
"That is incorrect, they are completely separate areas and will be managed as such," Mr Ryan said.
"If our proposal gets up it may well take some of the pressure off any moves to create more green zones in the marine park."
Mr Ryan said while the only people likely to be affected were those with boats capable of travelling at least 80km offshore, some concessions to game and recreational fishing could be made.
Visit
www.cafnec.org.au to view the full Coral Sea Heritage Park proposal.
