The Australian Democrats have today launched a bold plan to protect a major Adelaide fish nursery for future anglers by creating a National Park on the Port River estuary.

Outlining the party’s marine environment platform today, Democrat’s Leader Mike Elliott says the concept is vital to the future health of the marine environment in the Port River and Barker Inlet.

"We must ensure that we can both protect our environment and ensure the long term sustainability of professional and amateur fishing", says Mr Elliott.

"We are seeking to form a national park incorporating local marine waters, Garden Island and the Port River and Barker Inlets, while excising the power station."

Mr Elliott says allowing recreational users into the new park already occurs in the other national parks which border our city, Belair and Para Wirra.

"We must give our kids the chance to appreciate our local marine waters with all their wildlife, including the Port River dolphins," he says.

Other aspects of the marine environment platform include:

• Increasing the area of protection for the southern right whale in the Great Australian Bight Marine Park;
• Ensuring aquaculture development is ecologically sustainable and approved in an open, accountable process;
• Introducing an Act to ensure integrated coastal management; and
• Opposition of marina development on living coasts.

Mr Elliott says more attention must be paid to the protection of all of South Australia’s coastal waters, and South Australians can make the difference at the coming state poll.

"You can’t trust the Liberals’ Rob Kerin to do this for you."

The full list of initiatives include:

• Port River National Park: The Democrats will singly proclaim a Port River National Park to protect dolphins as well as important fish breeding areas. This will benefit both the environment and recreational fishers.
• Other Marine Reserves: South Australia’s marine reserves cover only three per cent of our coastal waters. We will increase the number of marine protected areas and develop ongoing strategies to better protect them.
• Great Australian Bight Marine Park: We must increase the area of protection for the southern right whale’s migration route as well as for the unique flora and fauna on the seabed.