Marine park plan worries aquaculture, aquarium industries

AUSTRALIA - The aquarium industry say some people could lose up to 70 per cent of their income under the proposed Great Sandy Marine Park. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has heard concerns about the marine park's impact on commercial, recreational and spear fishing, diving and aquaculture at information sessions in the Wide Bay in south-east Queensland.

The president of the Queensland Aquarium Supply Divers Association, Don Juleson, says aquariums and coral fishing will be among the most impacted industries.

"We have had no consultation whatsoever with the EPA," he said.

"This makes all of our members very angry because of the affect on our members, some could lose as much as 30 to 70 per cent of their income from these cuts."