Marine park named in Taylors' honour
A network of 19 marine parks has now taken effect across South Australia, despite opponents campaigning to protect fishing industries.
Premier Jay Weatherill said the zones would be in immediate operation, but the effects on fishing would be phased in.
"Our oceans have more diversity than the Great Barrier Reef and many of the marine plants and animals living in southern Australian waters can't be found anywhere else," he said.
The Premier said implementation of the parks came after a long public consultation phase.
"This process has been one of the most consultative and collaborative processes that we've seen in our state's history on any public policy issue," he said. Photo: One park named after marine experts Ron and Valerie Taylor (Facebook)
"We have engaged tens of thousands of South Australians in this discussion about the future of our marine environment."
The Government has decided the Neptune Islands marine park on the state's west coast will be named after the conservationists and film-makers Ron and Valerie Taylor.
"The Taylors have had a long association with SA and their films have been used around the world to educate people about the beauty and importance of our remarkable marine environment," Mr Weatherill said.
Ron Taylor died this year and his wife Valerie continues to be an advocate for marine protection.
The SA Government said the marine parks accounted for about 6 per cent of state waters.Phased restrictions Photo: Valerie Taylor attended the park launch
SA Fisheries Minister Gail Gago said changes to recreational and commercial fishing would be phased in, with trawler restrictions taking effect from next March and other fishing restrictions
Golden Goose Sneakers from October 2014.
The Recreational Fishing Advisory Council said it thought the Government had finally struck the right balance with its 19 designated parks.
Chairman Brenton Schahinger said most recreational anglers were satisfied because the number of marine zones had been trimmed.
"Eighteen months ago it was a very different story but a lot of work's been done since then and most rec fishers tell us they can live with the current arrangements but of course some rec fishers won't be happy, but majority tell us they can live with it," he said. Sorry, this video has expired Video: Recreational Fishing Advisory Council chairman Brenton Schahinger(ABC News)
Abalone Industry Association president Jonas Woolford said he expected some crews to leave the industry due to new restrictions.
"[Of] the no-take zones that were released for public
Golden Goose consultation, there is practically no change so it makes you wonder whether the consultation period was actually a useful exercise or just a token effort," he said.
Wilderness Society campaign manager Peter Owen says it was satisfied with the zones which had been declared.
"We would obviously have liked to have seen some more areas put aside as sanctuary but what has been put up today is very significant," he said.
"Some of the most important areas of the state are going to be protected as sanctuaries for the future, so we're right behind the proposal. It's a very significant day for South Australia."
SA Opposition environment speaker Vickie Chapman claimed the Premier lacked any widespread public support for the marine parks.
"He clearly understands that this is a problem for him if he were to attempt to implement this prior to the [2014] election," she said.
"That is why today's announcement just confirms it is an act of cowardice that he should implement this plan but not start it until well after the next election."
The chair of a parliamentary select committee on marine parks, Dennis Hood of Family First, said the Government had changed the proposed sanctuary zones after much of the committee's evidence was taken.
Mr Hood said the committee now wanted to supplement its interim report with further evidence about the likely impact of the changes.
