News
A series of community information sessions have been held along WA's south coast to discuss the state government's plans to establish a marine park in the region. A marine park is a type of protected marine area to help conserve marine habitats and biodiversity, while at the same time allowing a range of sustainable activities including fishing, diving, boating and tourism. At this stage the marine park will be located somewhere along the coast between Bremer Bay and the South Australian border. The Esperance Professional Fisherman's Association is worried the process is being rushed through in order to keep a promise made by the Premier to increase marine parks in WA. A growing number of Indonesian fishing boats operating within the Rowley Shoals Marine Park, 300 kilometres off the coast of Broome, has prompted outrage from local fishermen and tour operations. WA Fisheries minister Don Punch says the commonwealth needs to do more in Australia's northern waters.