Qld Govt Confirms Fishing Bans

[Chris 55]

Qld govt confirms fishing bans 16:52 AEST Sun Oct 19

By David Barbeler

The Bligh government today unveiled 'no-fishing' green zone areas in 16 per cent of Moreton Bay Marine Park, although the plan has been slammed by both conservationists and the fishing industry.

The Marine National Park zone "green areas", which stretch 125km from Caloundra to the Gold Coast Seaway, will be off limits to both recreational and commercial fishermen from March 1 next year.

Around seven per cent of Moreton Bay has also been ruled off-limit to commercial trawlers in conservation park zones.

As a result of the new off-limit fishing areas the government is expecting a fallout of 20 per cent of commercial fishermen, and will spend $15.1 million on buying up commercial fishing licences.

Premier Anna Bligh said the government would begin an educational campaign on the no-take areas for all fishermen, saying there would be no grace period after March 1.

Fishermen dropping a line in green zones will be issued a $370 fine, with a maximum penalty of $1,500 for breaking a law in a green zone.

Ms Bligh said the government would be ramping up enforcement of Moreton Bay by employing eight extra officers, and buying two new boats and three new jet skis.

The education campaign will include locations of green zones in GPS systems and signage around green zone areas and boating ramps.

The Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland, the Wilderness Society, Australian Marine Conservation Society, Queensland Conservation Council, World Wildlife Fund and Greens MP Ronan Lee all slammed the plan, saying there needs to be at least 30 per cent in green zones to secure the ongoing existence of local marine wildlife.

However Minister for Sustainability Andrew McNamara said the new plan was in line with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) conservation estimates, and they would conduct a five-year scientific monitoring program with a full review planned in 10 years.

The Queensland Seafood Industry Association has also slammed the plan, with spokesman Winston Harris saying they had not been advised by the EPA it was being released until being contacted by the media.

"They have kept the details of the plan - and even the date and time of its release - a total secret from the group who will be most impacted," Mr Harris said.

"The people who are getting hurt are deliberately kept in the dark about the plan and kept away from the media."

Recreational fishing organisations Sunfish Queensland and Queensland Game Fishing Association say they support initiatives such as the trial of an artificial reef to provide an alternative to green zones, but still had "major concerns".

They say they are disappointed that recreational fishing locations at Long Point and Moreton Island were included in no fishing green zones.