2018-07-10 P&E Agenda Attachment 1 to Item 8 - Draft Noosa River Plan

Council made a submission to this review highlighting concerns about commercial and recreational fishing
on Noosa North Shore (NNS) and requested the State to:
   •   Review the compatibility of commercial fishing uses and other recreational uses on the NNS.
   •	Close the NNS to commercial fishing by establishing a recreational fishing haven to exclude
      commercial fishing.
   •   Consider introducing recreational fishing permits.
   •	Consider buying back those commercial fishery licenses operating from the NNS and not re-issuing
      any existing licences due for expiry.
   •	Consider how Council could partner with the State to ensure smooth implementation of these
      recommendations.
In 2016, as a next step in the fisheries management review process, the State produced a Green Paper on
Fisheries Management Reform in Queensland and again called for public comment.
This was a major step in development of a strategic policy to guide the management of Queensland’s




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fisheries resources into the future. The Green Paper articulated a vision for the management of wild harvest
fisheries and the proposed reforms required.




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The State recognised that reforms and any new legislation may take a number of years to be completed.
Council welcomed the opportunity to provide feedback to the Green Paper at its Ordinary Meeting on the




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15 September, 2016.

Queensland Sustainable Fisheries Strategy 2017-2027




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A Sustainable Fisheries Strategy, which takes into account the public feedback on the Green Paper, has been
developed by the State. More than 11,000 submissions were assessed during this significant consultation




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exercise dating back to 2014.
The overwhelming message received during consultation was that all
stakeholders wanted reform in the way the State manages fisheries. This
included strong support from all sectors for better fishery monitoring, more
effective engagement, more responsive decision-making and greater fisheries
compliance with regulations (State of Queensland, 2017).
The Strategy sets out the reform agenda for the next 10 years with a
commitment from the Queensland Government of more than $20 million
over the next three years to kick start implementation to support the reforms
(State of Queensland, 2017).

Partnerships and projects
Council, in partnership with the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation, Noosa
Parks Association, the Thomas Foundation and the Nature Conservancy,
commissioned a number of fisheries-related studies that provide relevant
science-based research about the Noosa River fisheries and management
options for the restoration of aquatic habitats to improve these fisheries.
These studies include:
   •	History of Aquatic Restoration and Management Options
      for Noosa Estuary and Lakes 2014
   •	Restoration of Noosa Estuary – An Assessment of Oyster
      Recruitment 2014
   •	Historical Ecology of the Noosa Estuary Fisheries 2015.
This research was the catalyst for the Partner Project - Bring Back the Fish.

Page 30 l Noosa River Plan