Whose Environment Is It?

The recent Federal election or more to the point, the months and perhaps years of events leading to it has really brought a complex mosaic of issues front and centre on national marine environment policy. By Don Jones GM Marine Queensland

Reflecting on the key issues of the major parties during the 2010 election campaign it became evident that on many policy issues, the major parties have more in common than different.  Much of the debate on issues on health, broadband, education and the like were really argued at the fringes. 

But sadly when it came to marine policy the positions of the major parties were literally black or white.  There were stark differences on fundamental issues on access, marine protection regimes, economic and social impact assessments on regional communities and industries as well as the role of science in this debate.

How can this be and does it mean that to date the policy debate has been fundamentally flawed when it comes to marine environments?  And more to the point what is it that we are really trying to achieve anyway?

Bioregional Planning
Central to much of the national marine policy debate in the past three years has been the National Bioregional Planning process for Australian waters.  This would have to be one of the most important policy issues for this country, even though it has largely been characterised as a “green versus fishermen” issue. But of course it is not – far from it.

The oceans are very important for a broad range of activity including fishing, tourism, recreation, military activity, communication cables, mining, sea dumping, shipping, conservation, science, weather forecasting and many, many other activities.

Australia has around 60,000 kilometers of coastline and 15 million square kilometers of ocean.  As an island continent Australia has one of the largest exclusive economic zones of any country on the globe.

These simple facts alone quickly highlight why imbedded in Australian culture is a deep affinity with our oceans.  The Australian marine environments are also extremely diverse.  They encompass the tropical seas of the north to the Antarctic ice-shelves of the south. 

There is a vast array of diversity and biological richness in these waters. These facts alone would suggest that our oceans and the communities and industries that rely on them should be one of the most important policy issues for this country.

Under the Howard Government the national Bioregional Planning process was initiated.  When it was launched its mission was to understand the Australian waters and provide a detailed profile so that governments could make informed decisions on the multiple and increasing demands on our oceans as well as ensure that they were sustainable and appropriately protected. 

This process was welcomed by the marine industry. After all, critical to the future sustainability and success of the marine industry is clean, well managed environments.

Election 2010
Election 2010 saw possibly for the first time in its history marine policy on the national agenda for the campaign 2010 election.  On marine related issues, the election was characterised by advertising campaigns, regional protest meetings, significant political activity as well as national media attention. 

So what are the lessons from campaign 2010 for the marine industry? However probably of greater significance though is that as at 1 July 2011 the Senate will come under the control of the Greens. 

Their policy to date is very much based on exclusion, and little regard for sustainable economic and social activity particularly in regional Australia. So with the advent of a hung Parliament in the Lower House we are about to see the “new paradigm” in play.

So, Now What?
First up, the most pressing issue is to reinstate the integrity of the national bioregional planning process. This means that its needs to be depoliticized and bought back into objective focus on its purpose and objectives.  Failure to do so is likely to significantly damage the industry, regional Australia and the environment itself.  In my view the national marine planning framework needs to deliver the following outcomes:

1. A detailed description of the geography,
biology and uses (existing and projected) of Australian waters;
2. A detailed description of social and  economic dependence by region of communities;
3. The definition of features, species and
ecosystems that require the establishment of protection measures;
4. The assessment of options to ensure that protection measures will provide appropriate  levels of protection from defined threats;
5. The use of objective scientific evidence in
assessing threats and protection measure options;
6. Adopts a holistic approach to assessment, planning and management of marine environments that encompasses environmental, economic and social dimensions;
7.  Includes a coordinated and decentralized governance framework that addresses regional differences, accesses local knowledge and expertise and is able to develop and apply
regional solutions to issues identified. The governance framework includes a co-managed approach including active participation by industry representatives in regional governance  organisations;
8. Provides for displaced effort compensation as a last resort where displacement is identified as the only viable option to apply marine protection measures. Secondly
significant effort needs to be applied to dispel many of the myths and blatant propaganda in the community about the environmental credibility of the marine industry
and regional communities towards marine environments.

There is a long list of significant achievements of the marine industry and regional communities that clearly demonstrate world leading practices in sustainable environmental management. A cursory glance quickly highlights world class environmental practice in marinas, green manufacturing and engine technologies, world class catch and release practices in charter and tourism operations, leading fisheries management practices, innovative grey water recycling technologies, etc.

National policy and practice needs to urgently bring stakeholder groups together – not perpetuate divisions, animosity and conflict.  The recreational marine industry understands this concept very well after all, the recreational boat has been a “community campfire” for generations.

Thirdly, industry groups should critically examine their performance, structure and priorities in advancing the policy debate within the national, State and regional arenas.

The marine industry has a significant contribution to make to the Australian community. The potential for the ongoing development of the industry and the realisation of the many economic, social and environmental benefits to this Country, States and regional Australia are in my view enormous. The key ingredients however will be vision, leadership and being able to engage effectively particularly within the context of the “new paradigm” in the national Parliament.

Will we be successful? Perhaps I am the eternal optimist, but I think YES!  But much work is to be done and that work needs to commence now as time is of the essence.Don Jones