Boswell: Pew's no-take agenda alive & well

The agenda of US based environmental group Pew Charitable Trust to turn 972,000 square kilometres of the Coral Sea into a "no-take" zone is alive and well, according to Nationals Senator Ron Boswell. In November last year the Coral Sea Conservation Zone was declared after a disallowance motion was defeated.

“The twisted analysis by Pew of the cost of policing a no-take zone versus a 30 percent zone only proves that their plan for the destruction of fishing is still in play.”

“Pew has consistently stated that they would like to see the Coral Sea turned into a no-take zone and the research they have released attempts to move the debate in that direction,” Boswell said.

“This continual interference by Pew in pushing their extremist agenda is undermining the confidence of stakeholders in the Bioregional planning process put in place by the Howard Government to profile the entire Eastern Bio-region.”

“The price of policing a no-take zone in the Coral Sea is nothing compared to the cost to the community from the loss of the fishing industry to the Coral Sea region.”

Boswell refers to a media release from Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett in May last year when he stated "Acknowledging the concerns of stakeholders, the Conservation Zone I am announcing today will not impact on existing commercial, recreational or traditional indigenous fishing, or cruise and merchant shipping in the area.?

“It will be interesting to see how the Minister reacts to this latest research from Pew so that we will see whether he is taking his riding instructions from the extremist green movement on this issue.” said Boswell.

The fishing communities affected by Coral Sea Conservation Zone should rightly be suspicious of Pew?s figures that hide a more sinister agenda.”

“A no-take zone will not only hurt recreational and commercial fishing, but also the charter boat industry that relies heavily on the Coral Sea region.”

“This latest development shows that you cannot give a group like Pew an inch without them trying to take a yard.”

• The Pew foundation is an offshoot of the Sunoco oil group. This groups record of despoiling the enviroment in the South Americas is disgusting. They are now simply showing what a hypocritical bunch they are. Stay in the states and get outa here
  john dunphy on 11-Feb-10 12:39 PM

• Agreed Barry. When Garrett stops the whaling then there is a slim chance that we might listen to his proposals. But i doubt whether either of these things will happen in my lifetime. How about we send Garrett over to USA on a one way flight seeing as he loves the americans so much.
  Al on 10-Feb-10 09:22 PM

• Senator Boswell! Well done for standing up for Australia! You have earnt my vote!!! The stronger you push the better it will be for all fisho's and it will be reflected at crunch time!
  Craig Bellchambers on 09-Feb-10 10:29 PM

• I have to agree with Barry, why is it too hard to stop whaling, but so easy to upset 99% of the fishing PUBLIC. Did they help fund your campaign or vote. Like the name suggests (pew) something stinks around here.
  David White on 09-Feb-10 02:54 PM

• well i love midnight oil but garrett is certainly leaving me with a bad taste in my mouth !!!!
  henry on 06-Feb-10 06:41 PM

• I agree John
  david campbell on 06-Feb-10 03:53 PM

• I could not agree more John. To parachute a green, newly elected person into a ministerial position was the first big mistake of this labour government.
  Mel Brown on 05-Feb-10 08:57 PM

• Pity they dont stay in their own back yard. Then again the present govt. are only worried about the radical green vote
  Greg Carrison on 05-Feb-10 07:08 PM

• What the hell is Pew telling Australians what to do with their playground. Let these Americans screw their own country as they do and are doing right now.Leave Australia to Australians and Garret is only a puppet for them anyway.
  Zac on 05-Feb-10 05:34 PM

• It is a lot easier for Garrett to ride along with STINK than do anything about the Japanese Whalers.
  Barry Law on 05-Feb-10 05:28 PM

• A SIMPLE POLITICAL STATEMENT GARRETT MUST GO
  John McConkey on 05-Feb-10 10:46 AM