Fisheries fear new marine parks

TheWest.com.au: Fisheries fear new marine parks
Federal Government plans for a network of marine parks around WA's south west could force dozens of commercial fishermen on the south coast out of business, the State Government has claimed.

Outlining for the first time the possible impact of marine park plans for Commonwealth waters between Kalbarri and Kangaroo Island in South Australia, the Department of Fisheries has warned the changes could make several fisheries "economically unviable".

The department said shark fishermen on the south coast were likely to be among those hardest hit. Other commercial fishing activities, including trawling, could also be affected.

The warnings emerged just days before Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke is set to announce the draft boundaries.

"It is likely that the marine reserves along the south coast could exclude all fishing of the demersal gillnet and demersal long-line managed (shark) fishery, potentially making the fishery unviable," the department wrote.

With the Federal Government facing potential payout claims of millions of dollars, the fisheries department also noted that Canberra had yet to release details about how it would compensate displaced fishers.

Mr Burke would not be drawn on the State Government's claims, saying it was premature.

"There has been extensive consultation and draft plans for the south-west region will be released soon (and) that will be followed by a further period of consultation," Mr Burke said.

Conservation Council marine co-ordinator Tim Nicol said it was "inevitable that some fishing will have to be displaced in some areas" and there was evidence that shark species on the south coast were being overfished.

Jeff Cooke, an Augustashark fisherman for most of his life, said the sector had been given little information about how the marine parks would affect it.

"I can't really say too much until I see what areas they're talking about but we're certainly concerned - it's my livelihood and my two boys' livelihood," Mr Cooke said.