“The World Wildlife Fund’s call to close 30% of Australia’s waters to fishing, oil and gas, would be the end of Australia’s fishing industry,” said LNP Senator Ron Boswell today.

After meeting with fishermen in Gladstone, Senator Boswell expressed disgust at the WWF’s “irresponsible demands that would decimate the livelihood of thousands of fishing families and support businesses”.

“Extreme green and environmental groups are muscling up before the election to see which party will make the highest bid for their vote.”

“The WWF has called on all political parties to support ‘a comprehensive system of linked marine sanctuaries over at least 30% of Commonwealth waters - all fully closed to oil, gas and fishing’.”

“Closures of fishing grounds of this magnitude would render the fishing industry totally unviable. They are already struggling under the weight of closures, restructuring and restrictions.”

Senator Boswell said that the ocean environment was being well looked after by existing policies and was already heavily weighted against the fishing industry.

“People have a right to live and work in sustainable fisheries. A lot of research and expense is undertaken to ensure our fisheries are looked after carefully for the future. Australia takes very little product out of the seas compared with the rest of the world.”

“If we don’t fish and we don’t farm and we don’t mine, how do we eat, work and trade – let alone be able to afford costly marine and land sanctuaries?”

“The Labor government won’t stand up to these green bullies who dictate so much of Labor’s state and federal agenda. Only the LNP will fight for fishing families.”

ENDS