2018-12-11 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                 11 DECEMBER 2018


5                        NOOSA FISHING FUTURES - A SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES DIRECTIONS PAPER
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                              Manager Environmental Services, Craig Doolan
                                    Environment and Sustainable Development Department

Index                               ECM/ Subject/Marine Life (Fishing)

Attachments                         Nil



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable
RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Environmental Services Manager to the Planning &
Environment Committee Meeting dated 11 December 2018, and agree to the preparation of a
Noosa Fishing Futures research-based directions paper, subject to availability of funding, with the
primary objective of long term sustainable fisheries management of the Noosa River, estuaries and
beaches.



REPORT
Feedback to the Draft Noosa River Plan, released for public comment in August 2018, and other
local feedback over a long period of time, has raised concerns over declines in fish stocks in the
Noosa River, estuaries and coastal areas. In 2015 Council funded a research paper by Dr Ruth
Thurstan of the University of Queensland. Entitled Historical ecology of the Noosa Estuary
fisheries, it used historical, scientific and anecdotal evidence to confirm a decline in fish stocks in
the river across the twentieth century.
Council has previously provided submissions to the current State government fisheries reform
process (the Green Paper) aimed at addressing these concerns, and these were reinforced in the
draft Noosa River Plan. These reforms are progressing and the State will be seeking input into the
draft Harvest Strategies for relevant local fisheries in early 2019.
The new Noosa Environment Strategy and Noosa River Plan will be finalised in early 2019 which
will provide a platform to make a clear statement about Council’s future fisheries management
intent. They will also prioritise actions over future years for funding and implementation.
In order for Council to make informed decisions about the sustainable management of fisheries in
Noosa, inform and finalise the Draft Noosa River Plan and Environment Strategy, and continue to
provide robust and evidence-based input into the State Government fisheries reform process early
in 2019, it is proposed to undertake a research, options and cost benefit directions paper.
Council has been briefed at a high level on the range of issues and various fisheries management
considerations for Noosa, as well as identification of gaps in information and data on fisheries.
A Noosa Fishing Futures - Sustainable Fisheries Directions Paper will;
                       Undertake a detailed local stakeholder analysis, and engagement plan;
                       Identify, collate and analyse what information is currently known about commercial and
                         recreational fishing activity in the Noosa;
                       Identify gaps in information and source data to fill those gaps that are important to informed
                         decision making in the future;


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