2019-07-18 Ordinary Meeting Agenda

ORDINARY MEETING AGENDA                                                                 18 JULY 2019


C.   Council supports the target of a minimum 60% unfished populations; and
D.   Council requests that ecological risk assessments be prioritised both on fisheries at highest
     risk and ecosystems of conservation value; and
E.   Council supports the encouragement of indigenous input into decision making processes; and
F.   Council believes that more resources need to be applied to fishing management across
     Queensland and that consideration may be given to a user pays model; and
G.   With consideration of historical fisheries research by Dr Ruth H Thurston, ongoing empirical
     research by the University of the Sunshine Coast, and anecdotal evidence, Noosa Council has
     concerns regarding the impact of current and historical fishing activities on the marine
     biodiversity and abundance in the Noosa estuary and river system as well as the surrounding
     ocean beaches; and
H.   Considering the current research projects in the Noosa River system and nearshore
     environment, Noosa Council aims to be a pilot program for ecosystem based management as
     a demonstration of best practice; and
I.   Council has particular concerns regarding the impact of the licensed mullet fishing activities on
     Teewah Beach (Noosa North Shore) with regards to by-catch, wastage and also mullet being
     targeted whilst gravid specifically for their roe; and
J.   Council requests that the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries give consideration to reducing
     commercial netting on Teewah Beach between the Noosa River mouth and Double Island
     Point by way of declaring a net free zone and/or a buy-back of commercial fishery licenses
     and/or not re-issuing any licenses due for expiry and Council would commit to working in
     partnership with the State Government on a process to achieve this outcome including
     community and industry engagement and consideration of resource commitments; and
K.   Council requests that the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries give consideration to the
     overall sustainability of fishing and prawning in the Noosa estuary and river system, on the
     understanding that current research and projects such as Noosa Biosphere Reserve
     Foundation's Bring Fish Life Back are attempting to both reinstate marine biodiversity and also
     monitor that biodiversity; and
L.   That Council has particular concerns for the potential environmental impact of prawn beam
     trawling in the Noosa River system and therefore requests that the Department of Agriculture
     & Fisheries give consideration to whether prawn beam trawling is having an adverse impact
     on the marine environment in the Noosa River, particularly the river floor and seagrass beds,
     thus adversely impacting on overall biodiversity, and further consider whether appropriate
     licenses should be bought back or at least not renewed; and
M.   Council requests that the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries give consideration to one or
     more total fishing exclusion zones at specific sites to allow replenishment of overall biodiversity
     and Council would commit to working in partnership with the State Government on a process
     to achieve this outcome including community and industry engagement plus consultation with
     appropriate researchers; and
N.   Council requests the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries give consideration to the reduction
     in bag limits for recreational fishing.


Ordinary Meeting Minutes, 24 September 2015, Item 10, Page 9
That Council note the report by the Environment Officer (Rivers and Coast) to the Planning &
Organisation Committee Meeting dated 15 September 2015 regarding the Queensland Fisheries
Management Review and request the CEO to arrange a meeting between the Minister for Agriculture
and Fisheries, the Mayor and Cr Pardon to discuss the content of Council’s submission and the
recommendations made within that submission.


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