Duncan Gay has a say

Dear Fishers,

Firstly a quick update on Federal issues as I know many of you have been very concerned about Labor's proposed Commonwealth Marine Parks.

Today I was happy to see my Federal colleagues standing up to Federal Labor and Peter Garrett's proposal for a network of marine parks covering 38 per cent of Australia's fishing zone.

The Federal Liberals & Nationals Coalition announced an immediate hold on the Marine Bioregional Planning process so that the proper consultation can be done with fishing industries and coastal communities.

It seems, whether it's State or Federal, Labor is up to the same old tricks of no consultation and a focus on gaining Greens votes to the detriment of fishing and coastal communities.

Back to State issues...

I hope most of you have put in submissions to the Solitary Islands and Jervis Bay Marine Park Review Reports, if not there is still time, the deadline is 17 September 2010.

Lately I have been even more fed up than usual with the Government and I recently spoke out against the absolute hypocrisy within State Labor.

Steve Whan issued a media release calling on the public to visit a new website advising people to buy NSW seafood. See the quote from the press release below;

?By choosing NSW seafood, the public can be assured of some of the best seafood in the world, a premium quality product that is fresh to eat and enjoy... Buying local seafood helps maintain this important industry and supports regional economies and employment.?
Steve Whan Press Release July 5 2010

It's a shame Cabinet Ministers in the Keneally Labor Government don't actually talk to one another.

If they did Mr Whan would be aware his colleague and Minister for the Environment, Frank Sartor, has proposed zoning changes to the Solitary Islands and Jervis Bay Marine Parks which would decrease the amount of seafood available to the NSW public!

I totally agree with Mr Whan in that local seafood is vital to industry and regional economies and I have challenged him to come out and support the local fishing communities up and down the coast who have suffered under Labor's Marine Park zoning plans.

Happy Fishing,

Duncan