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Additional comments from Senator Barnaby Joyce, Leader of the Nationals in
the Senate, on behalf of the National Party.
In brief, the caveats this
legislation places on fishing are excessive and onerous and the development in
the applications of the terms of fishing and the precautionary principle have
become, as such, unacceptable to many that live in the North Queensland
area. We are now defining not only the act of fishing as an offence but also
the consideration of the act as an offence. This step in law is a dangerous one
in all facets, but is particularly peculiar when applied to something as
generally minor as fishing.
I believe the definition of
fishing proposed in Schedule 6 item 9 of the bill creates a dangerous
precedent, and warrants the pursuit of mitigating amendments.
Furthermore, I believe there
are issues with the definition and application of the precautionary principle
as stated in Schedule 1 item12 of the bill. Although in other areas of
conservation this may be custom and practice, it has proved an unnecessary
vagary in the recreational and commercial fishing community. The precautionary
principle should not take precedence over valid environmental studies and
socioeconomic impact studies. Noting that the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is one of
the most studied areas of ocean in the world it would be reasonable to expect
that there should not be an excessive requirement for a precautionary principle
in an area where so much has already been tabulated.
I share the concerns of many
submitters, such as the Queensland Game Fishing Association, who wrote:
As an organisation committed to the collection,
dissemination and analysis of scientific information as the basis of sound
marine resource conservation and management we are distressed by what appears
to be a disturbing trend by organisations and governments to institute
management and zoning arrangements based more on political pressure, lobbying
and public perception rather than science. Unfortunately the precautionary
principle is often used in place of committing sufficient resources, without
scientific bias, to obtaining the required information to enable proper
management.
The Great Barrier Reef
must be acknowledged to have multiple usages as a conservation area, a resource
and a recreational venue.
The process over time is that
this is becoming more of a conservation area. The lifestyles and livelihoods of
those who live adjacent to the park have been unduly curtailed.
This remains an ongoing
concern for the National party and our advocacy for a more balanced approach
will continue.
Senator Barnaby
Joyce
NATS, Queensland
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