Fishing bans in sanctuary zones are set to be relaxed under proposed state government changes to marine park legislation.

Cape du Couedic on Kangaroo Island and Coorong Beach south are the local sanctuary zones where some fishing would be permitted.

Under the proposed changes, six marine park management plans would be amended to allow fishing in parts of sanctuary zones, the boundaries of two marine parks would be expanded and a new sanctuary zone would be created at Port Stanvac.

Environment Minister David Speirs says regional communities would get an economic and social boost from relaxing the restrictions, which come after an independent, science-based review of marine parks.

“The Marshall Liberal Government is committed to protecting our state’s marine environments while also supporting the communities that depend on this resource,” he says. 

“We know that for many of our regional communities and industries, 2020 has been a very tough year with bushfires and the significant impacts of a global pandemic.

“We know Kangaroo Island in particular has been devastated and the proposed changes would provide a significant boost to that local community.

“Creating jobs in regional communities and supporting livelihoods is a real priority for our state and we believe these changes support those communities doing it tough and provide appropriate protection for our marine environment.

“The proposed changes would allow some fishing in areas where it has previously been banned but also see the expansion of other sanctuary zones to improve conservation outcomes.

“This is a win-win situation, conservation efforts would also improve with an overall increase in area protected by sanctuary zones.”

Public consultation on the changes will open on Friday 29 May. For more information head to the Environment SA website.