2016-09-06 - Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                             6 SEPTEMBER 2016


5    OPPORTUNITIES FOR COUNCIL
These fishery-specific reforms are of particular relevance to Council’s previous submission to the
2014 Queensland Fisheries Management Review (MRAG review.) In this submission, Council
requested a closure of the Noosa North Shore to commercial netting – which targets the East
Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery.
However, as the East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery has also been earmarked as a priority for reform
this may also have implications for the River and Inshore Beam Trawl Fishery which currently
operates in the Noosa River.
With further investigation, there may also be an opportunity to include in a submission to the
Green Paper a request to review commercial prawn trawling in the river – based on the findings
of recent studies regarding Noosa River fisheries commissioned by Council in 2014.
Refer the Historical ecology of the Noosa Estuary fisheries Report and the History of Aquatic
Restoration and Management Options for Noosa Estuary and Lakes Report (both reports
available on Council’s website - http://www.noosa.qld.gov.au/rivers-creeks - under the supporting
information heading).


6    PROPOSED SUBMISSION
It is recommended that Council make a submission to the Green Paper based on Council’s
previous submission to the MRAG review i.e.
 close the NNS to commercial netting;
 establish a Recreation Fishing Haven on the NNS;
 consider introducing Recreational Fishing Permits;
 review the compatibility of Prawn Trawling in the Noosa River in light of current river
   restoration projects underway to Bring the Fish Life Back;
 consider a buy back of the relevant commercial fishery licenses and not re-issue any
   licenses due for expiry;
 invite further discussion directly with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to discuss
   how Council could partner with the State in the relevant commercial fishery license buybacks.


Previous Council Consideration
Ordinary Meeting, 23 October 2014, Item 5, Page 9
That Council note the report by the Director Planning & Infrastructure to the General Committee
Meeting dated 20 October 2014 with regard to the Queensland Fisheries Management Review
and resolve to:
A.   Make a submission to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in accordance
     with Attachment 1 to the report; and
B.   Request the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to close the Noosa North
     Shore to commercial fisheries operations to allow the fishery resources to renew.
Council’s submission highlighted concerns about commercial and recreational fishery on the
Noosa North Shore and requested the State to:
  Review the compatibility of commercial fishing uses and other recreational uses on the
    Noosa North Shore;
  Close the Noosa North Shore to commercial fishing by establishing a ‘Recreational Fishing
    Haven’ to exclude commercial fishing but allow recreational fishing;
  Consider introducing Recreational Fishing Permits;


                                                                                Page 111 of 118