Sanctuary zones a waste of space

To the Editor,

I have been following the debate about the spillover effect between the two Richards. (Echo, 6th and 13th December)
Richard McLachlan rightly points out that the effect is of little value to fishers if all the reef is off limits.
There are two other reasons for discounting the argument.
Firstly, almost all recreational species are migratory and spend little time in sanctuary zones on their travels.
Secondly, 10 years of extensive Queensland Government research has demonstrated that the spillover effect doesn't even work for sedentary species.
Both reasons are reflected in the findings of a world wide literature survey on the effectiveness of no take areas conducted by the CSIRO in 2001 that concluded "the fisheries benefits are theoretical and have not been demonstrated in practice".
NSW Fisheries Minister admitted this to anglers recently when he wrote "NSW marine parks are declared under the principle objective of biodiversity conservation. Marine parks in NSW are not declared as a fisheries management tool nor for the purpose of protecting or enhancing specific fisheries."
This leads us to the conservation of marine biodiversity. Another large-scale, long term Queensland Government study demonstrated that low impact line fishing had no effect on biodiversity or the integrity of the broader reef community. This work was conducted on fragile coral reef.
Richard's fears are real, we are using these arguments to our advantage all over the state. Not to discredit marine parks but to discredit user unfriendly no take zones.
Interestingly, not once has the government or any green group picked up on the science and attempted to debate the issue!

Rod Burston
Spokesman for the NSW Fishing Clubs Association