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Report finds eco-tourism could benefit from marine parks

'The pristine waters of southern WA are home to all manner of sealife - and crucial to the livelihoods of fishermen and lobstermen.' MIAA

A new report has found there would be significant economic benefits associated with the creation of large marine sanctuaries in Western Australia's south.

The lobby group 'Save Our Marine Life' commissioned the report, which looks at the benefits of establishing sanctuaries in the region stretching from Geraldton in WA to Kangaroo Island in South Australia.

It found the eco-tourism industry, including businesses like whale watching, could expect a 20 per cent increase in profits.

The landmark study was conducted by the Allen Consulting Group and described how extending marine sanctuaries in the region could boost the WA economy by $55 million annually.

The Economics of Marine Protected Areas also found that marine sanctuaries would generate long term economic prosperity with a more diverse economy and healthier fish stocks outweighing the short term costs of establishing sanctuaries.

The Report’s release was supported by author Dr Martin Van Bueren and WA businessmen Mr John Poynton and Mr Jock Clough. They were also joined by Curtin University Sustainable Tourism researcher Dr Tod Jones.

“As this important report highlights, there are many economic benefits for WA that flow from protecting areas of our unique marine environment. I believe this report should now encourage the Federal and State governments to work together to create large new marine sanctuaries in the south west” said John Poynton at the launch last week.

Whale sharks are among the species unique to the west coast. - MIAA

Tim Nicol from 'Save Our Marine Life' said the report also found that there would be long-term economic benefits for recreational and charter fishing.

'A network of marine sanctuaries would result in healthier fish stocks, which has a spillover benefit for fisheries, so whilst there'd be an initial cost for fisheries there will be longer term benefits,' he said.

And commercial fishers could expect a 5 per cent increase in catch due to larger fish stocks, he added.

'The study shows that there could well be a cost upfront for the industries like the rock lobster industry. That cost may not be as big as previously expected and the long-term industries across the Australian economy would benefit from a network of marine sanctuaries,' he said.

A group representing the rock lobster fishing industry says it is in favour of small marine sanctuaries in the south west. But Dexter Davies from the Western Rock Lobster Council says larger sanctuaries, like those in the report, could devastate the industry.

'Certainly, if there's large marine parks established over big fishing grounds, especially in the current climate when it's at very difficult times, it's got the capacity to have a huge effect and we certainly won't be in favour of that.'

More at www.saveourmarinelife.org.au

The full report can be downloaded here: http://www.saveourmarinelife.org.au/Media/The_Economics_of_Marine_Protected_Areas_Allen_Consulting.pdf

by Jeni Bone

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11:56 PM Sun 7 Mar 2010 GMT

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