Australia plans to open more marine parks to commercial fishing

Australia recommended opening more of its marine parks, including near the Great Barrier Reef, to commercial fishing on Wednesday in a decision slammed as the worst downgrading of a protected area in the world. The government said the move, affecting 44 parks, was made after an independent scientific review and allowed a more balanced approach to ocean protection, maintaining sustainable fishing while promoting ecotourism.

“By being more targeted with restrictions and integrating marine park management with world-class fisheries management, we have not only increased conservation protection, but also ensured regional economies are supported,” said Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg.

Australia is home to the second largest area (3.3 million square kilometres) of marine parks in the world, with 36 per cent of its waters protected. This compares to the international benchmark “Aichi target” of 10 per cent by 2020. Under the proposals, which must go to parliament, 17 per cent more of the total area would be open to commercial fishing, while zones where recreational fishing is permitted will also increase.

But the area where miners can operate will shrink by four per cent with protected seafloor boosted by 200,000 square kilometres. WWF-Australia called it “the largest protected area downgrading in the world”, saying more than 35 million hectares will be removed from Australia’s marine sanctuary network.