Originally Posted by
PinHead
Derek..the conservationists are probably working on it and may succeed in some areas. We give them plenty of ammo....have a look at some of the boat ramps around...bunch of sloths these rec fishos...fish frames left above high water mark at a local ramp...pollution from motors etc..is there any conclusive scientific evidence that soft plastics DO NOT pollute the waterways...alas we give them a lot of their ammunition...catch and release will be another in the firing lines. They will quote the numbers of boat registrations as an unsustainable number of fishos (even though a great many do not fish or do not catch any fish)..but they will still lobby and be successful in some areas.
The following is taken from the Federal ALP National Platform and Consitution:
Marine Environment Protection
65.
Labor is committed to promoting the conservation and sustainable use of our marine and coastal environment. Labor will work with State, Territory and local authorities and agencies to ensure Australia's biologically diverse and fragile marine environment is monitored and sustainably managed.
66.
The Commonwealth government should provide leadership, policies and resources to ensure integrated regional ecosystem-based management across jurisdictions and maintain marine biodiversity.
67.
Labor supports a comprehensive assessment of offshore ecosystems to inform policy development and management of marine resources.
68.
A Labor Government will work towards the reduction of the serious threat to water quality from coastal shipping practices, sewage and stormwater disposal and thermal pollution, nutrient sedimentation, and introduction of exotic pests and diseases via ship ballast water.
69.
A Labor Government will work to mitigate noise pollution in the marine environment, and sonar and seismic activities harmful to cetaceans and other vulnerable marine species.
70.
Planning imperatives include the need to address unsuitable coastal development including all future canal developments, agricultural practices, pollution of estuary and coastal water, ship transport regulation, rig and pipeline developments and industry accountability for pollution.
71.
A Labor Government will promote the efficient and sustainable use of Australia's marine resources and will address unsustainable fishing practices.
72.
Labor supports the creation of marine national parks and 'no take' or 'green zones' in the Great Barrier Reef to sustain ecosystem health and sustain fish stocks.
73.
Labor will promote the conservation of key ecosystem health indicator species such as whales, dugong and turtles both in Australian waters and across the world's oceans.
74.
A Labor Government will support technological advances in fisheries to minimise bycatch of non-target species in fisheries and ensure this serious threat to a number of marine threatened species is eliminated.
75.
A Labor Government will develop strategies to mitigate the impact of marine debris in our coasts and oceans that poses a threat to many marine species.
76.
A Labor Government will work through international forums to address unsustainable fishing practices worldwide.
77.
A Labor Government will work with indigenous communities and recreational fishermen to ensure hunting of marine animals is sustainable and humane and threatened species are protected.
78.
A Labor Government will pursue a permanent end to all commercial and scientific whaling and the establishment of a global whale sanctuary.
79.
A Labor Government will pursue high seas marine protected areas to protect biodiversity and work to address the increasing problem of unregulated, unreported and illegal fishing through all appropriate legal instruments.
"
The above seems rather "green" to me without the input of any other conservation organisations.
But....lots of votes will go to the ALP due to Howard's IR reforms...bit of a catch 22 situation.
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