Have your say on Queensland’s fisheries reform

July 22, 2016

THE Queensland Government has published a vision for the future management of Queensland’s fisheries and announced 10 weeks of consultation with industry, recreational fishers and the community.

Fisheries Minister Leanne Donaldson said it has been 22 years since fisheries management has undergone structural reform and modernisation is long overdue. “Our election commitment was to review the framework for sustainable management of our fisheries resource,” the Minister said. “The publication of the Green Paper on Fisheries Management Reform in Queensland delivers on that commitment. The Green Paper sets out 10 key proposals which will help shape the most significant reform in the sector in more than two decades. Queensland’s fishery is a resource owned by all Queenslanders and this Green Paper aims to ensure we all benefit from it.

“The Government has a responsibility to future generations to protect our fishery from over exploitation so it can be enjoyed in perpetuity and sustain viable industries in the long-term. We are committed to the creation of a management system that ensures sustainability of our fish stocks, fair access for all to fisheries resources, clarity for all on how management decisions are made and improvements in data gathering. It is clear to me that we cannot continue to use our fisheries resources as we have in the past and it is important that we take this chance to bring fisheries management in Queensland in line with world’s best practice. This publication is the start of that process. I am sure that the proposals in the Green Paper will attract lively debate because fishing is an integral part of the Queensland lifestyle and an important contributor to our economy.”

Minister Donaldson said the Green Paper represents the Queensland Government’s response to the independent review of fisheries management in Queensland conducted by MRAG Asia Pacific.

“The MRAG review was commissioned by the Newman-Nicholls Government, which failed to publish it,” Minister Donaldson said. “We published the review last year and consulted on its recommendations, some of which were contentious. I want to stress that the Green Paper does not propose an annual registration fee for recreational fishers to fund fisheries management outside the stocked impoundment program. This release is the start of a discussion and I urge all those with an interest in fishing, seafood and our world-class waters to take advantage of this opportunity to have a say on how resources are managed.”

The 10 key areas for reform outlined in the Green Paper are: