In March this year, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister John McVeigh announced that the Queensland Government would undertake a comprehensive review of fisheries management in our state. This announcement follows on from the East Coast Commercial Net Fishing Licence Buy Back which commenced last year and is ongoing.
Fisheries management right along the Queensland Coast is a crucial issue for the community. The commercial fishing sector requires a straight forward regulatory system to ensure they remain a viable industry and able to provide quality produce. The recreational fishers want to ensure fish stocks are protected for the future enjoyment.
The Government have appointed independent consultants, MRAG Asia Pacific, to carry out the fisheries review. The independent consultants and Minister McVeigh will be assisted by advice and guidance from the twelve-member Fisheries Ministerial Advisory Committee. The committee includes representatives who have expertise relating to recreational fishing, the commercial industry, fishery ecology, aquaculture and indigenous fishing practises.
The review’s objectives are to develop fisheries systems which:
• Allows for future management which balances ecosystem ecology against commercial viability;
• Reduces complexity and red tape;
• Provides for more management flexibility;
• Ensures continued community enjoyment of recreational fishing; and
• To develop a new simplified regulatory framework.
The readers of this publication who have a strong interest in recreational, traditional or commercial fishing are strongly urged to have their say about this fishery review. The two main ways the community can have input is to provide written submission to the independent consultants via email at
qldfisheriesreview@mragap.com.au or attend at the public consultation meetings which are being held between now and mid-October across the State.
For our Bowen/Airlie Beach/ Proserpine readers, the public consultation meeting is being held in Bowen on Sunday 14 September, 2014 between 10.00am – 12.00pm at the Bowen State High School. For our Mackay readers, the public consultation meeting is being held in Mackay on Monday 15 September, 2014 between 6.00pm – 8.00pm at the Mackay PCYC Hall.
If you require any further information about the fisheries management review, you can have a look at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website here – Fisheries Management Review or contact one of our experienced members of staff.
