2015-11-10 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                             10 NOVEMBER 2015


Overview of research findings
   The Noosa region has been populated for centuries by the Kabi Kabi Traditional Owners,
     who harvested species such as mullet, pipis and oysters, potentially trading these
     resources with inland indigenous populations. When European settlers arrived in the
     region, the Kabi Kabi people were the first commercial fishers, trading or selling oysters
     and other species to the settlers.
   Archaeological and historical sources suggest that rock oysters and other shellfish were
     highly abundant throughout the Noosa River and Lakes up until the late 19th century.
   During the late 19th century, an increasing demand for oysters led to sections of the river
     and lakes being privatised and leased to settlers. The earliest available fishery records
     show that Noosa oysters were being transported to Brisbane and beyond by the late 19th
     century. By the turn of the 20th century, millions of oysters had been removed from the
     Noosa system, destined for consumption in Brisbane and other Australian cities.
   Despite high levels of exploitation, the oyster beds continued to operate until the 1920s,
     after which oyster leasing was largely discontinued. The decline in oysters was likely due to
     a number of factors, including declining water quality (with links to disease),
     overexploitation, reduced market demand and increased competition from New South
     Wales and New Zealand suppliers.
   Today, oyster abundance is much lower in the Noosa system and any functional role they
     historically played no longer exists.
   By the end of the 19th century, settlers also operated fisheries for mullet, jewfish, tailor,
     bream, whiting and flathead, in addition to other species. At first, fish were sold to local
     residents and as far away as Gympie. However, improved transport networks, the
     establishment of the Ice Works and later the Fish Board at Tewantin, enabled fish to be
     transported to Brisbane.
   By the turn of the 20th century the net fisheries were providing significant quantities of fish
     to the Gympie and Brisbane markets. Many of these fisheries, with the exception of oyster,
     continue today.
   The prawn fishery did not develop until the late 1950s, prior to this, prawns were principally
     targeted for fresh bait and were caught using scissor and scoop nets. In 1959 trials were
     conducted using small beam trawlers modified for use in shallow lake systems. Landings
     show highly variable fisheries, with no significant changes over time in either school or
     eastern king prawn landings–however it is unknown how much of this catch and effort
     occurred specifically within the Noosa River and Lakes.
   Commercial fishing records are limited and for the most part do not provide a Noosa-
     specific catch. It is clear from the available records that landings of the main species have
     always been variable, and no significant declines in catch are recorded, although the
     numbers of commercial fishers have declined over time.
   The recreational fishery also commenced early on in the written history of the region, with
     the Tewantin region lauded as far away as Sydney for its abundant fish stocks and scenic
     beauty. These factors led to rapid increases in population and tensions between
     commercial and recreational fishers as early as the 1920s.
   Recreational catches were not recorded in government records, with the exception of one
     to two years, but catches were recorded in popular media such as newspapers, which
     recorded recreational and competition landings over a period of nearly 70 years, from
     1913-1980.
   These records, though limited, suggest a decline in recreational catch rates during this
     period. While it cannot be stated definitively why this pattern occurs, interviews with long-
     term fishers and residents suggests that this was likely due to declines in fish abundance,
     rather than changes in targeting behaviour.


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