2016-09-06 - Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   6 SEPTEMBER 2016




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PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                               6 SEPTEMBER 2016

                                      Prohibitions reduce conflict
    Conflict between recreational and commercial net fishers on the eastern shore of Fraser Island was a
    common occurrence for many years, particularly over the netting of large quantities of tailor. While the
    commercial catch of tailor on Fraser was significant, the primary species being targeted by the net fishers
    is mullet which is predominantly caught on the northern half of the island.
    To minimise conflict a prohibition on the taking of tailor by commercial nets on Fraser Island was
    implemented by the DPI&F in late 2003. At the same time, a prohibition on the use of all commercial nets
    on the eastern shore of Fraser (between Tooloora Creek and Ngkala Rocks) during the netting season
    was introduced, as this is a major fishing area for tailor.
    These measures reduced the conflict, allowed the recreational fishing for tailor to continue and ensure
    that commercial netters maintain access to mullet stocks, which are important for the local economy.

  Recommendations
  Noosa Council would like to see the local offshore fisheries resource conserved given its high
  importance to   Noosa’s   local tourism   economy;   and wishes to put forward       a suite of
  recommendations for consideration which would be of value to the sustainable management of the
  fishery resource on the Noosa North Shore.
  In addition Council would be willing to partner with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and
  Forestry to help achieve good social, economic and environmental outcomes for both the
  commercial and recreational fishing sectors on the Noosa North Shore.
  The recommendations include:
  °    Review the compatibility of commercial fishing uses and other recreational uses on the
       Noosa North Shore;
  e    Closing the Noosa North Shore to commercial fishing by establishing ‘Recreational Fishing
       Havens’    to exclude commercial fishing but allow recreational fishing (see fact sheet
       regarding NSW ‘Recreational Fishing Havens’ attached);
  °    Consider introducing recreational fishing permits; and
  °    The State government to consider buying back those commercial fishery licenses operating
       from the Noosa North Shore and not re-issuing any existing licences due for expiry.
  Council acknowledges changing the current situation will involve some adjustment, and we would
  invite further discussion directly with the relevant State agencies to discuss how we could partner
  with the State to ensure a smooth implementation.
  Noosa Council has welcomed the opportunity to make a submission to the Queensland Fisheries
  Management review and congratulates the State Government on this initiative.

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