2015-09-15 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                           15 SEPTEMBER 2015


A number of repeated themes common across all sectors include:
   A clear Government policy framework which sets out clear goals and the main rules of the
     game;
   Clear, unambiguous legislation;
   Healthy fish stocks and aquatic ecosystems;
   Secure rights to a sustainable share of the catch;
   More timely, transparent, responsive decision making;
   A clear framework for resource sharing;
   Better information on which to manage stocks and ecosystem impacts;
   Clear structures through which stakeholders can have their say on the future management
     of fisheries;
   Stronger, smarter compliance; and
   Sufficient resourcing to meet management needs.

Few (if any) submissions argued that the status quo was working and most agreed that
fundamental changes in management were required.

Of the recreational fishing submissions, there was a very strong ‘anti-net’ and to a lesser degree,
‘anti-commercial fishing’ flavour. This was often coupled with arguments around the need to
recognise and better promote recreational fishing with a view that recreational fishing generated
better economic returns from fisheries resources.

The majority of submissions advocating commercial netting bans supported some form of fair
buyback program.

Of the submissions which mentioned a Recreational Fishing License, all bar one supported the
idea (i.e. 41 to 1). The most common suggested use of the funds was to buy commercial fishing
licenses, although other suggestions included funding better compliance, better research, angler
education and better infrastructure. Many pointed to the NSW and Victorian recreational fishing
license arrangements as good models to follow.

There was also strong support for the concept of zoning and regional management, particularly of
the inshore fishery and particularly amongst the recreational sector.

The recommendations outlined in the report are structured around a clear, central strategy guided
by the principle that:

‘Queensland will receive maximum benefit from the use of its fish stocks where harvesters are
provided with secure access rights to a share of the sustainable catch, and they are allowed
maximum flexibility to enjoy benefit from those rights without compromising the opportunities
available to current and future generations.’

Recommendations for the design of a future fisheries management system capable of supporting
the strategy have eight main components namely:

(i)      policy, legislation and decision making,
(ii)     allocation and harvest controls,
(iii)    monitoring, information collection and assessment,
(iv)     management of non-target species and ecosystems,
(v)      compliance,
(vi)     stakeholder participation,
(vii)    performance review and
(viii)   resourcing.



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