20 February 2007

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) urged fishermen to ignore misguided advice they could now fish in Green Zone.

The statement follows a court decision yesterday about the reliability of a GPS device used in a case against two fishermen.   

Executive Director John Tanzer said GBRMPA would continue to use GPS as a tool to assist with the enforcement of zoning in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

He said GBRMPA used reliable enforcement procedures and took great care to ensure any decisions to fine fishermen were based on sound evidence collection.

“Yesterday’s court decision relates to the circumstances of a specific case, and we understand the Director of Public Prosecutions is considering an appeal,” he said.

“We will be examining the decision closely and if there are ways we can tighten our procedures based on the outcomes, we will.    

“However we are disappointed by the mischievous claims that the decision calls into question the policing of the zones.

“These unhelpful statements are just confusing recreational anglers. Thousands of people fish on the Reef each year and they manage to successfully avoid going in to Green Zones.   

“It is misleading to suggest that fishermen who have been fined for illegal fishing on the Reef in the past were all convicted on the basis of navigational errors, particularly when very few pleaded not guilty.

“GPS is used by shipping and aviation industries throughout the world as a reliable device for navigation and enforcement.”  

Mr Tanzer said the court decision did not relate to the accuracy of Green Zone boundaries.

“The Marine Park authority used the exact same coordinate-based mapping tools that are used throughout the world,” he said.

“Claims that GPS was used in the development of the Zones are a nonsense.  

“Zoning is recognised as a very effective way to ensure the Great Barrier Reef’s marine life can stay healthy long into the future for everyone to enjoy.”

Mr Tanzer said the vast majority of fishermen did the right thing when out on the Reef.

“Scientific research shows ‘no take’ areas are improving the Great Barrier Reef’s fisheries,” he said.

“Coral trout and stripey sea perch have been found to have increased as much as two times in Green Zones since July 2004. 

“It’s important future generations are given the chance to enjoy fishing on the Reef as well.

“Everyone understands this is dependent on stopping poaching.”