2019-07-18 OM Agenda - Item 1 - Attachment 2 - Fisheries Regulation Discussion Paper

43. Introduce new closed waters to protect Mary River cod.
    It is proposed that no line fishing (or possession of a fishing line) would be allowed from 1 August
    to 31 October in the following locations to help protect Mary River cod:
       the Mary River and tributaries upstream from the junction of Six Mile Creek and Mary River,
        excluding Baroon Pocket Dam and Borumba Dam (from dam walls to full supply level for each)
       the Coomera River and tributaries upstream from the junction of Guanaba Creek and
        Coomera River (near Birds Road, Guanaba)
       the Stanley River and tributaries upstream from the point of the Somerset Dam Full Supply
        Level
       Christmas Creek and its tributaries (top of the Logan River Catchment)
       Running Creek and tributaries (top of the Logan River Catchment)
       the Albert River and tributaries upstream from the junction of Canungra Creek and Albert River
        (includes Canungra Creek).
44. Clarify the in-possession rules for Mary River cod in stocked impoundments.
    It is proposed to clarify that the existing requirement for the take of Mary River cod in the waters
    upstream of the full supply level of certain impoundments allows recreational take within stocked
    impoundments only.
45. Establish a single minimum legal size limit for Mary River cod and Murray cod.
    It is proposed that the size limit for Mary River cod be aligned with Murray cod. The Fisheries
    Regulation would be amended to establish a single minimum legal size limit of 60 cm for both
    species and remove the existing maximum size limit of 110 cm for Murray cod. Recent research
    has shown that Mary River cod have similar spawning sizes and rapid growth within stocked
    impoundments to Murray cod. This research has also shown that cod of this size are rare within
    Queensland rivers and are likely to have little input to recruitment, while those caught within
    impoundments often die several days after capture




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