2014-10-20 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   20 OCTOBER 2014
                                     ATTACHMENT 1




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ATTACHMENT 1
Submission to Qld Fisheries Management Review 2014
Noosa Council seeks to work with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and other
stakeholders, to reduce conflicting uses of the commercial and recreational fishery resource and
achieve sustainable management of the fishery resource to improve the local economy.
Local Context
The Noosa North Shore has a very high participation rate in recreational and charter fishing with
the flow on effects of increasing tourism from recreational fishing being a major boost to the Noosa
economy. The recreational fishery is primarily composed of:
e   ocean beach line fishery — targeting tailor, dart, whiting, bream, and jewfish;
e   shallow water fishery (boat and shore) — targeting whiting, flathead and bream; and
e   boat fishery — targeting demersal reef and pelagic fishes.
There is also a very active commercial fishery which provides seafood for local, State and export
markets. These fisheries include:

e   ocean beach net fishery — targeting mullet; and
e   inshore fin fish fishery (by net in estuaries and offshore waters) — targeting various inshore fin
    fish species.
This high level of fishing activity brings with it a number of management issues that overlap with
local government jurisdiction such as.land use planning; transport networks and infrastructure
development. Council also makes significant investment in environment management (including
maintaining water quality), facilitating access.to waterways), maintaining amenity and aesthetic
values, managing visitor experiences and managing user conflicts between competing interests.
It is through the management of these areas that Council.ensures that the Noosa North Shore
remains a valuable resource for recreation and tourism, which make a substantial contribution to
the local economy.
What are the issues of concern for Noosa Council?
The issues of Concerns relate to: conflictinguse regarding commercial fishing on the Noosa North
Shore.
Conflicting uses on the Noosa North Shore
The Noosa North Shore is now part of the. State government declared Cooloola Recreation Area
which is an easily accessed, popular destination frequented by many locals and visitors for
recreational purposes. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (Q@WS) manage Cooloola as a
protected area to conserve its natural, cultural and recreational values and resources for all to
enjoy now and in the future.
The Noosa North Shore beach is heavily used by recreational groups such as day trippers, beach
campers and recreational fishers and a permit is now required to recreate in this area. The table
below shows the number of vehicle access and beach camping permits issued by the Queensland
Parks and Wildlife Service since 2011.

                Vehicle Access Permit        Beach Camping Permit
 2011-12        55,071                       20,014
 2012-13       54,432                        19,247
 2013-14        65,880                       23,276
Source: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Sunshine Fraser Coast Region.

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