On the 12th of September, Over a month ago Professor Robert Kearney (well respected marine biologist) caused quite a stir by simply stating the facts in an address to The Australian Society for Fish Biology, Canberra.

"Many citizens of the Batemans region have been hoodwinked into believing that the proposal for this park was actually based on sound science and that the park will deliver considerable benefits to biodiversity conservation and recreational fishing"

Read the full paper here

The first reaction from government and the radicals was to hold their breath and wait till the stink blew away. When it didn't, their next step was to send out soon to be Ex-Director of NPWS Tony Fleming, knowing that if it backfired they could distance themselves form what he said. The best Tony could do was point to so called "scientific consensus"  on marine protected areas.

Due to continued requests from CRA and others for a scientific rebuttal to Prof Kearney's paper, The minister assisting the minister for the environment, Verity Firth was next to try and make it go away. View this attempt here. Unfortunately what she had to say was nearly word for word what Mr Fleming had said which amounted to nothing, but it was interesting to see her mention the same European consensus statement.  

Now three so called leading environment groups NPA (National Parks Association) NCC Nature Conservation Council and The Wilderness Society have decided it's time to put their magic spin on things to make it all go away. Here 

After more than a month to think about it and all three groups spin specialists working every angle, the best they could do "surprise surprise" was point to, you guessed it "Consensus" Mind you they did attempt to discredit the good Professor and then for good measure tried to twist his own words on him.

With so many pointing to "Consensus" and in particular the World Oceans Day Statement, I thought it was time to track it down and read it for myself. As usual there is always a small piece of truth in what the NSW Marine Park advocates say. Yes it does actually exist, but has no bearing on our situation here as it calls for well-managed marine reserves to address specific problems in European waters. 

What is very interesting though, is the fact that although this document is being promoted by a group that specializes in pushing for parks, and has been open for signatures for some time and all that is required to sign it is that you live in Europe and have a PhD in anything, it only has  275 signatures.

Professor Kearney almost bettered this in a day, in a room of 200 marine scientists with no particular bias. Only one disagreed, and that was the former manager of Batemans Marine Park (the man who over saw the setting up of the park)

So called consensus does not amount to solid science on anything. Let alone sound site specific evidence of the need for Batemans Marine Park or any other in the state.

NSW Marine Parks allow councils to pump effluent into the environment and environmentalists use effluent to defend Marine Parks. 

Come on people we need better than that. In defending NSW shoddy Marine Parks you neglect the environment.  

admin