2016-09-15 Ordinary Meeting Agenda

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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