MEDIA RELEASE
Immediate release: Wednesday 28 August 2013
Coalition Policy on marine parks renews
confidence for 5 million boaters and fishers
The Boating Industries Alliance Australia welcomes the Coalition’s Policy for a more
competitive and sustainable fisheries sector, announced at the Australian Fishing
Trade Association trade show earlier this week. As the first major party to make a
direct commitment to the sector, the Coalition has shown that the message of the
joint BIAA and ARFF “I fish, I boat and I vote” campaign has been heard and will be
acted upon.
Speaking ahead of the AFTA Trade Show Awards Dinner, BIAA Chairman Darren Vaux
said “the boating industry has been calling for the process of marine park
development to be transparent, to engage the community and most importantly to be
based on science. The announcement by the Leader of the Opposition on Monday is
very welcome news and will be well received by the boating industry and the five
million Aussies who boat and fish every year”.
BIAA industry data suggests that over 80% of boat owners have an intention to fish,
with more than 850,000 boats registered in Australia, plus thousands more
unpowered craft being used for the most popular recreational pastime in the country.
The announcement by the Coalition that, if elected, they will suspend and review the
Management Plans for Marine Protected Areas provides boaters and fishers with
renewed confidence about the future of fishing and will be a boost to the sector at the
start of the Spring boating season.
Vaux concluded “we value the commitment made by Tony Abbott and we will ensure
our boaters, right across the country, understand what this means to them when
considering their options on 7 September. We fish, we boat and right now, Mr Abbott
has our vote”.
Contacts:
Darren Vaux – Chairman BIAA 02 9457 9011
Nik Parker – General Manager BIAA 08 8212 6207
www.fishboatvote.com.au