Marine parks opposition 'a greedy sea grab'

ABC (Australia) News: Marine parks opposition 'a greedy sea grab'

Conservationists and the tuna industry are at loggerheads over proposed Commonwealth marine parks in South Australia's west.

The industry says jobs will be lost under current plans.

Michelle Grady from the Save Our Marine Life Alliance says the proposal does not affect tuna fishing grounds.

"They are opposing marine sanctuaries that will protect all the marine life in this important region," she said.

"This is an ambit claim, it's a greedy sea grab."

However, industry spokesman Brian Jeffriess says climate change is changing fish migration patterns.

"Quite clearly Michelle hasn't seen the 2011 fishing area and most importantly where the fish are," he said.

Mr Jeffriess says the industry supports marine parks and has suggested alternative "win-win" sites for both the industry and environment.