Marine park survey launched

Federal Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson MP has stepped into the community consultation breach created by WA Labor over the controversial South Coast Marine Park by launching a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ survey for the public.

“My federal electorate encompasses the entire 1000-plus-kilometre coastline where Labor and its WA Greens mates wish to lock up large areas in a ban on commercial and recreational fishing,” Mr Wilson said.

“To date, the State has pumped out a load of gobbledygook to the people of Esperance, Ravensthorpe and surrounding areas with regard to its plans.

“That’s why I’m conducting a survey – in plain English.”

On April 28 at Esperance, about 1000 south coast locals protested against the planned large-scale fishing ban.

“Members of the public, including commercial and recreational fishers, say they have not been properly consulted, and they fear likely impacts on the local community and economy have not been adequately addressed,” Mr Wilson said.

“This community angst has been reflected by the Shire of Esperance, which has criticised the State’s consultation as being full of government-speak, and slammed the scant socio‑economic work that has been done.

“The Shire says the general public has been expected to digest about 300 management plans without on‑ground expert advice from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.”

By contrast, Mr Wilson’s survey will simply ask whether the south coast community supports the marine park in its current form, or not, and provide space for further comments.

“If members of the public, who generally do not have PhDs in marine science or resource management, do not understand the material that DBCA has published, it reflects DBCA’s inept communication practices rather than any education deficit in the community,” Mr Wilson said.

“I will use the results of my survey to argue in federal parliament, and alongside my Liberal WA colleagues, for a far better deal for recreational and commercial fishers and the south coast community-at-large.”

Members of the public can complete Mr Wilson’s survey at https://d5ahu1ahh97.typeform.com/marinepark

Media contact: Chris Thomson (08) 9842 2777; [email protected]