SCIENCE

Background

As many of you know the science underpinning decisions with the Marine Bio-Regional Planning Process and Coral Sea closure is appalling. Moreover, serious tensions exists and questions are being asked with regard to the science used in SA, VIC and NSW to substantiate large scale marine reserves all in the name of marine bio-diversity.

Perhaps more alarming is the lack of disclosure by so called 'eminent' scientists in terms of who pays their bills and where their funding comes from. Add to this a distinct lack of independent peer review and is it any wonder the commercial and recreational sectors have lost faith in the profession of marine science.

 

The Umpire

Industry, fishos. pros, amateurs, mums and dads and kids will always accept the umpires decision so long as there is transparency and accountability. But this isn't occurring especially with the Gillard Federal Government. As an example in two years of work with the Marine Bio-Regional Planning process we have not met a single government science and apparently according to Tony Burke, the entire MBPP is a science driven process!

 

Research

We have an extensive array of scientific information on our site. Most of this is available online but if it isn't then call us. We keep some information off our site so the rabid green NGO's don't get their hands on it. If you'd like specific research or contacts for the most respected and independent marine scientists around the world, then give our national office a call.

State of World Fisheries - Dr Ray Hilborn

Listen to Professor Ray Hilborn about the state of world fisheries. Ray Hilborn is a Professor in the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington. This is his video presentation at the New Zealand Seafood Industry Conference 2010.

State of the World Fisheries - Part 1 Click State of the World Fisheries - Part 2 Click State of the World Fisheries - Part 3 Click

 

Resources

 

Fishery Statistics / Papers
	Australian Fisheries Statistics 2008		Australian Fisheries Statistics 2009
	Australian Fisheries Statistics 2010		Australian Fisheries Statistics 2011
	Orange Roughy - Stock assessment and future developments		Is Tuna Fishing Sustainable - With BlueWater
	The National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey
Economic Papers
	Australian Recreational Marine Industry Statistics		AMA submission to the Coral Sea Marine Reserve Proposal
	Seafood Industry Summit, 2050 and Food Security, Canberra		Economic Study of Recreational Fishing in Victoria
	Australian Boating Usage Study		USA Fish Habitat Act
	Recreational fishing in Australia - 2011 and beyond: a national industry development strategy
Scientific Papers
	Commonwealth Marine Protected Areas Displaced Activities Analysis - MAXimus Solutions		Ben Diggles submission to the Senate Enquiry pointing out that Australia has already fulfilled our international obligations in terms of representative and comprehensive network of marine reserves.
	Digfish Services report that blows the lid on the Coral Sea science		Science and Marine Parks in New South Wales: the hoodwinking continues
	Lesson Learned Paper		Australia’s Out-Dated Concern over Fishing Threatens Wise Marine Conservation and Ecologically Sustainable Seafood Supply
http://www.reefbase.org/gefll/pdf/mpa%20case%20studies.pdf The Global Environment Facility (GEF) was established in 1991 as a $1 billion pilot program from the World Bank to assist in the protection of the global environment and to promote environmental sustainable development
http://www.thegef.org/gef/Areas_work This paper is a distillation of lessons they have learned from 20 years of implementing Marine Protected Areas in developing countries, a total of 65 different projects. The brief and the first 5 pages of the complete paper are priceless. We can only hope that the Government will take note of the GEFs hard won lessons on what marine parks can and can't do, based on 20 years of experience, but at the moment it looks like they are intent on reinventing the wheel and making the same mistakes.