2019-07-18 OM Agenda - Item 1 - Attachment 3 - Noosa Council Submission to State Fisheries Discussion Paper

Part 1: Comments on proposed reforms to the Fisheries Regulation 2008, as
outlined in the Discussion Paper

1.1 Proposed regulatory changes supported by Noosa Council

Noosa Council strongly supports the following provisions contained within the Discussion Paper. For
proposals not identified in this submission, Noosa Council does not have a position on them, and does
not currently consider them to have a significant impact on the fisheries within the Noosa area.

2. Requirement for a Commercial Fishing Boat Licence and relevant fishery symbol to hold new
individual transferable quota units.
     NSC believes that this will allow the prioritisation of quota to fishers that have a catch history
        in the Noosa River, and therefore provide benefit to local fishermen and the local community.

3. Requirement for bycatch reduction devices to be used in line with best practice.

4. Allow issue of a general fisheries permit to trial new and alternative gear types to support innovation
within the commercial fishing industry.

11. Prohibit the use of net apparatus to take crab.
     There is currently strong anecdotal evidence that crabs are regular bycatch while commercial
        net fishing in the Noosa River and lakes. This provision should encourage the return of these
        crabs to the ecosystem. It is important that crabs are returned in a viable state.

20. Allocate individual transferable quota (ITQ) for tier one inshore species, barramundi, king threadfin,
grey mackerel, school mackerel and whiting in the East Coast Inshore Fishery.
     Local stakeholders have indicated significant concern over the sustainability of whiting in the
         Noosa River estuary, and it is completely appropriate that it is managed on an ITQ basis.

24. Permit the commercial use of lift nets under the N11 symbol.
     Council considers this a more sustainable method

26. Amend the maximum mesh size under the N1 and N2 fishery symbols.
     Council considers this a positive step in ensuring fishers have less impact on species of
       conservation interest and their ability to release or untangle species from nets.

27. Implement a maximum ply rating for use in nearshore and offshore (N1, N2 and N4) net fisheries.
      Council considers this a positive step to help mitigate impact of larger marine animals being
        caught in nets by allowing them to break under significant strain.

56. Standardise reporting requirements.
     Council considers this an essential part of the reform process and congratulates the State on
        making these changes.