7/30/2019 RFSA Gulf St Vincent Media Release - MP14 SZ M (3)

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RecFish SA Marine House300 Morphett StAdelaide 5000

MEDIA RELEASE

RecFish SA supports marine park sanctuary zone in Gulf St Vincent

A marine park sanctuary zone around Pt Clinton to Pt Wakefield has been supportedby RecFish SA.

RecFish SA which is the peak body representing the interests of recreational fishersthroughout South Australia, said they had carefully considered the scientific evidencewhich supported establishing a sanctuary zone in the region and believed it wasvalid.

RecFish SA Chairman Brenton Schahinger said RecFish SA had been involved withthe process to establish marine parks and dedicated sanctuary zones within the

parks, for many years to help guide and influence sound decision making.

During that time, the overwhelming concern conveyed to us by rec fishers has beenrelated to the adverse impact that marine parks - and in particular, sanctuary zones -will have on fishing access, MrSchahinger said,

Consequently RecFish SA has been working tirelessly to minimise the impact ofsanctuary zones will have on rec fishing. However, RecFish SA does not have apolicy of blanket opposition to sanctuary zones and believe that they can havebenefits for all community members, including fishers.

He said a sanctuary zone at the top of Gulf St Vincent was an example of where thebenefits could be well established.

For rec fishers, this is a crucial bio unit. Firstly, it is a rare inverse estuary, andimportantly this unusual environment results in an extremely valuable eco system,which is a major nursery area to a whole range of species important to rec (andcommercial) fishers such as garfish, King George whiting, yellow fin whiting, andprawns. It is also a spawning area for garfish and snapper, MrSchahinger said.

Its extensive tidal channels are important habitats for fish, crustaceans and bird life.

The area is also of international importance for shorebirds and is home to 38 speciesof waterbirdssome threatened and 11 listed under international treaties.

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Mr Schahinger said RecFish SA appreciated that it was not always easy for somecommunity members to accept the loss of access to something that been taken forgranted for over a hundred years.

If sound scientific evidence is presented which supports the closure of any particulararea then we do consider it on its merits, as we want to make sure our members cancontinue to enjoy fishing for generations to come. That means that the protection ofbreeding areas can be justified in some regions, he said.

For this reason, RecFish SA accepts that from a recreational fishing perspective, onbalance, the benefits of declaring a sanctuary zone around Pt Clinton to Pt Wakefieldfar outweigh the disadvantages and strongly supports its implementation. However,a case can be made for maintaining minimal shore access, particularly at locationslike Port Arthur, which has been an iconic camping and crabbing spot for travellersfor many years and would have virtually zero environmental impact.