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2016-09-15 Ordinary Meeting Agenda
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ORDINARY MEETING REPORT 15 SEPTEMBER 2016
GREEN PAPER ON FISHERIES MANAGEMENT REFORM IN QUEENSLAND - FURTHER
REPORT
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION
Author Environment Officer (Rivers and Coast), Jan Maddin
Planning & Infrastructure Department
Index ECM/Subject / Waterway Management – Noosa River
Attachment Nil
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable.
AMENDED RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Environment Officer (Rivers and Coast) to the Planning &
Environment Committee Meeting dated 6 September 2016 and the further report to the Ordinary
Meeting dated 15 September 2016 regarding the release of the Green Paper on Fisheries
Management Reform in Queensland and agree to make a submission to the Green Paper as
follows:
A. Note that Noosa Council is not opposed to commercial or recreational fishing per se, but
rather, wants to ensure that such activities can be carried out in a genuinely sustainable
fashion for the benefit of future generations; and
B. Council supports overall ecosystem based management and locality-based fisheries
councils; and
C. Council supports the target of a minimum 60% unfished populations; and
D. Council requests that ecological risk assessments be prioritised both on fisheries at highest
risk and ecosystems of conservation value; and
E. Council supports the encouragement of indigenous input into decision making processes;
and
F. Council believes that more resources need to be applied to fishing management across
Queensland and that consideration may be given to a user pays model; and
G. With consideration of historical fisheries research by Dr Ruth H Thurston, ongoing empirical
research by the University of the Sunshine Coast, and anecdotal evidence, Noosa Council
has concerns regarding the impact of current and historical fishing activities on the marine
biodiversity and abundance in the Noosa estuary and river system as well as the
surrounding ocean beaches; and
H. Considering the current research projects in the Noosa River system and nearshore
environment, Noosa Council aims to be a pilot program for ecosystem based management
as a demonstration of best practice; and
I. Council has particular concerns regarding the impact of the licensed mullet fishing activities
on Teewah Beach (Noosa North Shore) with regards to by-catch, wastage and also mullet
being targeted whilst gravid specifically for their roe; and
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Section 2
ORDINARY MEETING REPORT 15 SEPTEMBER 2016
J. Council requests that the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries give consideration to
reducing commercial netting on Teewah Beach between the Noosa River mouth and
Double Island Point by way of declaring a net free zone and/or a buy-back of commercial
fishery licenses and/or not re-issuing any licenses due for expiry and Council would commit
to working in partnership with the State Government on a process to achieve this outcome
including community and industry engagement and consideration of resource
commitments; and
K. Council requests that the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries give consideration to the
overall sustainability of fishing and prawning in the Noosa estuary and river system, on the
understanding that current research and projects such as Noosa Biosphere Reserve
Foundation's Bring Fish Life Back are attempting to both reinstate marine biodiversity and
also monitor that biodiversity; and
L. That Council has particular concerns for the potential environmental impact of prawn beam
trawling in the Noosa River system and therefore requests that the Department of
Agriculture & Fisheries give consideration to whether prawn beam trawling is having an
adverse impact on the marine environment in the Noosa River, particularly the river floor
and seagrass beds, thus adversely impacting on overall biodiversity, and further consider
whether appropriate licenses should be bought back or at least not renewed; and
M. Council requests that the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries give consideration to a
total fishing exclusion zone on the Noosa North Shore between the Noosa River mouth and
First Cutting, and possibly further exclusion zones at specific sites within the Noosa River
system to allow replenishment of overall biodiversity and Council would commit to working
in partnership with the State Government on a process to achieve this outcome including
community and industry engagement; and
N. Council requests the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries give consideration to the
reduction in bag limits for recreational fishing.
REPORT
At the Planning & Environment Committee meeting held on 6 September 2016 a report was
presented to Council regarding the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) Green Paper
on fisheries management reform in Queensland which is open for public consultation until 30
September, 2016.
At this meeting, the Committee agreed to defer consideration of this matter to the Ordinary
Meeting to enable further discussion on the issues presented.
On 12 September 2016 a workshop was held with Councillors which resulted in general
agreement regarding Council’s position on the fisheries management reforms outlined in the
Green Paper. The purpose of this report is to present an amended recommendation which
reflects the discussion held by Councillors at the workshop.
Previous Council Consideration
Nil.
Finance & Risk
Nil.
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Section 3
ORDINARY MEETING REPORT 15 SEPTEMBER 2016
Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
Nil.
Internal Consultation
Nil.
Departments/Sections Consulted:
X Chief Executive Officer Community Services Corporate Services
X Executive Officer to the Mayor & CEO Community Facilities Financial Services
Executive Support Community Development ICT
Libraries & Galleries Procurement & Fleet
Local Laws Property & Facilities
Waste & Environmental Health Revenue Services
Executive Office X Planning & Infrastructure
Community Engagement Building & Plumbing Services
Customer Service Civil Operations
Economic Development Disaster Management
Governance Infrastructure Planning & Design
Human Resources X Planning & Environment
Sustainability Strategic Land Use Planning
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