Lack of funds causes SeaNet to down binoculars
All eyes turned to World Ocean Day (Sunday, June 8) celebrations, but one of the nation's major maritime 'lifeguards' is being forced to down the binoculars and walk away from lack of Federal Government support.
'The silence is deafening, an uncertain future for SeaNet - www.oceanwatch.org.au/'
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While the Rudd Government can be applauded this World Oceans Day for its strong stance on Japanese whaling, the Government has turned its back on a vital key to Australia meeting the rest of its marine obligations.
SeaNet, Australia's environmental extension program for the fishing industry, that for the past ten years has worked to protect our marine environment, will have to close its doors on 30 June, as the Federal Government is yet to make a decision on whether the program is worthy of funding.
'We've gone from lifeguard to grasping for a life line' says Anissa Lawrence, Chief Executive Officer of SeaNet's managing body OceanWatch Australia.
'SeaNet is unique in that it works with industry from boardroom to boat deck.'
'SeaNet has built up a unique partnership between environmentalists, researchers, and the fishing industry that is based on an equal commitment to a healthy, sustainable marine environment,' says Ms Lawrence 'and this will be lost'.
SeaNet won a United Nations World Environment Day Award in 2005 for its ongoing work in helping Australia's commercial fishers to reduce the accidental capture of our iconic marine wildlife and other marine animals, as well as the environmental damage that some methods cause.
'SeaNet is delivering on industry's and Government commitments to reducing the accidental entanglement of such species as dugong, sharks, seals, marine turtles, dolphins and - ironically - whales!'
Despite numerous promises to advise on SeaNet's future, Ms Lawrence has had no word from the Government, either way.
'It's been one eye on the ocean and the other on the 'phone,' she said. 'The silence is deafening!'
Geoff Blackburn, a NSW based commercial fisherman and Director of OceanWatch Australia, said, 'It's devastating news for all commercial fishers who want to ensure that they fish responsibly to provide Australian families with seafood. We all know that Australians love their seafood. '
'Everyone wants responsible fishing and SeaNet has been instrumental in doing this', Mr Blackburn said.
'The Government has been quite vocal on its opposition to Japanese whaling. Meanwhile, it's got nothing to say about continuing to protect the sustainability of seafood and marine life in its own backyard.'
SeaNet is an initiative of OceanWatch Australia (OWA)--a non-government organisation that has worked for the last twenty years towards a goal of achieving a sustainable Australian seafood industry.
For the last ten years, SeaNet has assisted more than 7000 Australian commercial fishers in our fourth largest primary industry, to fish in a more environmentally responsible manner.
There are eight SeaNet Officers around the country working one-on-one with fishers to effectively implement innovative environmental improvement and the latest research and government policies. SeaNet was also to roll out the Government's Biosecurity policies to prevent the spread of marine pest that can accidently result from fishing vessel movements. It is unclear what will happen post 30 June.
Ms Lawrence finds the Federal Government's 'no comment' on marine environmental funding puzzling.
'It seems that the Federal Government simply wants to start with a clean slate, wiping away anything the former Government funded, regardless of how worthwhile it might be.'
'SeaNet has been one of the most cost effective programs governments have ever funded reaching 40% of Australian commercial fishers. This type of investment for the genuine outcomes that are being delivered should be a no brainer.'
Ms Lawrence had invited the Federal Government to join in its World Ocean Day celebrations - an offer which was declined.
Instead, Ms Lawrence and the SeaNet staff will mark the international day of marine protection by going down to the sea - alone.
'World Oceans Day is when the Australian people should be able to look to the Government to manage and foster its marine environment.'
'Instead, its eyes are on Japan and environmental concerns beyond our shores,' she said.
'At this stage it looks like we put down our binoculars on June 30 when funding stops.
'Who will be watching our oceans then?'
SOS - Save Our SeaNet
Please help us save SeaNet by writing to the ministers and asking them to ensure SeaNet continues to be able to help Australian fishers towards sustainability. Please write a letter of support urgently to:
The Hon Peter Garrett AM MP
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts.
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
The Hon Tony Burke MP
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
OceanWatch Australia (OWA) is a national environmental, not-for-profit company that works to achieve sustainability in the Australian seafood industry through protecting and enhancing fish habitats, improving water quality and advancing the sustainability of fisheries through action based partnerships with the Australian seafood industry, government, natural resource managers, business and the community.
by Oceanwatch.org.au 
Nth Narrabeen, NSW
