Great Sandy Net Free Zone

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Announced today by Lucy Stanton, ALP candidate for Wide Bay as part of her push for the Fraser Island World Heritage extension that includes the Sandy Straights, Cooloola's beaches and Noosa River and Lakes.
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http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/labor-candidate-calls-for-beach-netting-ban/2992398/

[Just_chips]

Wouldn't that be something to see. Shame it could just be another shallow election promise, but at least somebody has actually picked up on the fact that it could be worth votes.

[Moonlighter]

Lucy Stanton says:

"I want to protect the environment and drive eco-tourism,'' Ms Stanton said.
"If we are going to enhance the recreational fishing experience resource extractive industries like gill-net fishing have to come to an end."

The greenies clearly see us rec fishers as an "extractive industry".

"Extractive industries" and the rationale she is touting was the same rationale used to justify the implementation of green zones that banned recreational fishing in many zones in Moreton Bay and elsewhere.

What she is talking about here is effectively a yellow zone, which is one step away from a green zone. And, next time there is there is a review they can easily be upgraed to green zones......

Be careful what you ask for or support. What starts off as selectively banning one form of "extractive industry" can be changed wiith the simple stroke of a pen to all forms.

Just sayin'.

[Slider]

The volume of green zones will in fact be less should the area be declared a net free zone. The 'greenies' see NFZs as a conservation measure not far short of a green zone and are happy for less green zone percentage to complement the NFZ.

The attached map of the 2010 Australian gov proposed World Heritage Area is also a map of the Lucy Stanton proposed NFZ. If recreational fishers want this to go ahead then they need to vote for Lucy in Wide Bay and get her over the line.

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Queensland Recreational Fishing Network statement below regarding Lucy Stanton's plan for a net free zone.

Seems certain that this issue will be central in deciding the outcome in the seat of Wide Bay. For recreational fishing in Queensland, this outcome is of unprecedented importance. If Lucy Stanton wins the seat, then there will be no doubt that the recreational fishing vote and net free areas have been pivotal in getting her there and the major parties will be in no doubt that this has indeed been the case. Should she lose, then any proposed NFAs, and even the existing NFAs, are at risk.

Media Release
Recreational fishers applaud ALP candidate’s stance on Net Free Zones
Queensland Recreational Fishing Network (QRFN) has welcomed the announcement this week by the ALP candidate for Wide Bay, Lucy Stanton, that commercial netting within critical areas of the Fraser Island World Heritage Area, its proposed extension and the adjacent Great Sandy Marine Park be banned.
A local QRFN spokesperson said the fishing tourism potential for the region is enormous and would be enhanced substantially if Net Free Zones suggested by Lucy Stanton were implemented. The spokesperson said it was widely recognised and proven that the economic value of recreational fishing far exceeded that of commercial netting in inshore areas.
Lindsay Dines, QRFN spokesperson said, “Studies are showing a steady decline in angler participation and catch rates over the past decade which is very disturbing. We are hearing repeatedly that anglers are no longer bothering to go fishing because they believe it is unlikely they will catch a fish due to the serious stock depletion from excessive commercial netting in our inshore waters.”
Mr Dines said, “Netting bans on the Fraser and Cooloola coasts will have far reaching beneficial effects for key species prized by recreational anglers as well as having significant overall ecosystem health benefits.”
Mr Dines said he believed that with the removal of net fishing, fish stocks would rebuild and recover back to levels not seen for decades, as already being seen in the recently introduced net-free areas in north Qld, and local economies would enjoy a much needed boost as visitors came to the region to fish and leave new money behind when they did.
“The long term sustainability of our inshore fisheries is of extreme importance to us and areas closed to commercial netting complimented by better overall management of the resources, will assist greatly in buffering the effects of climate change and human population growth,” Mr Dines explained.
“QRFN as well as other influential conservation groups strongly believe it is essential that commercial netting be prohibited in World Heritage waters and that the conservation zones in the Great Sandy Marine Park should receive the same level of protection as all other marine parks.”
“Qld Recreational Fishers Network fully support Lucy Stanton and any other like-minded candidates and sitting members in pursuing this excellent proposal.”

[patrol50]

Lucy Stanton says:

"I want to protect the environment and drive eco-tourism,'' Ms Stanton said.
"If we are going to enhance the recreational fishing experience resource extractive industries like gill-net fishing have to come to an end."

The greenies clearly see us rec fishers as an "extractive industry".

"Extractive industries" and the rationale she is touting was the same rationale used to justify the implementation of green zones that banned recreational fishing in many zones in Moreton Bay and elsewhere.

What she is talking about here is effectively a yellow zone, which is one step away from a green zone. And, next time there is there is a review they can easily be upgraed to green zones......

Be careful what you ask for or support. What starts off as selectively banning one form of "extractive industry" can be changed wiith the simple stroke of a pen to all forms.

Just sayin'.


100 % agree - aledge labor and the greens are not to be trusted imho
cheers

[Mike Delisser]

Did we get the 3 net free zones Labor promised before the last state election?

[Slider]

We did Mike and the reports are of fish coming back to these NFAs in numbers not seen in living memory - within 6 months of nets being removed.

As far as green zones are concerned in the proposed NFA - there is every reason to believe that the percentage of green zones in the Great Sandy Marine Park will be less if the World Heritage area is declared and nets banned within. I have it on good authority that no decisions will be made on green zones in the GSMP until after the federal election and the result of Wide Bay known. That is, if Lucy Stanton wins Wide Bay and a NFA becomes a probability, then that will be taken into consideration when deciding on the percentage of green. NFAs are seen as a conservation measure by this government and the Minister responsible in particular. Conservation groups such as WWF and AMCS are expected to accept less green and support the NFA. Scott Mitchell and the Fraser Coast Fishing Alliance are also well positioned to represent the interests of rec fishers and are currently doing just that.

Lucy Stanton herself is single minded in that she wants fish populations to recover so as to enable a thriving recreational fishery. She is well aware that the economic value of rec fishing far exceeds that of the commercial sector and that the tourists will only come if nets are banned and the fishing is good.

However, if the LNP win the seat, then there will be no NFA implemented, more green zones in the GSMP and the distinct possibility of existing NFAs being opened to netting.

[patrol50]

some of us have allegedly heard all this before from would be labor parliamentarians down here at the bayside area mate and once they get in if they do they are then overruled by the majority or told to back off by the heavy hitters to maintain the greens preferences and its the greens that allegedly wag the labor tail

and of course any net free zones are a fantastic idea but not much use to the rec fishers if they then are then made a green zone and what do you really think will happen in a newly declared "world heritage area" if it gets up - so it begs the question are you a dedicated greeny lindsay and no offence as i have no doubt your committment is in the right place ?

at least with the other side you know what you are getting - wont be great but better than a million green zones and all the decent areas closed off -

i am yet to find anyone who fishes who is not a dedicated greeny or a labor supporter that thinks moreton bay fishes better after the greens zones increase than before it - must be one person somewhere though ::)

cheers

[rayken1938]

Seem to remember the member for Cleveland making a lot of statements that never even got on the table.
I cannot comment on the current fisheries minister but the previous one was of the same ilk as Tom Burns and certainly kept his commitments re the NFA.
Cheers
Ray

[patrol50]

yep its all about the individual strength of the minister and tom was a real good bloke (who loved his crabbing ) i sort of knew him on a passing gday basis - not so sure about this last bloke although i think he tried and anyone ever sighted the new one - but as i said its the extreme greens that wag the tail these days - and the moment the conservation mobs plus the epa and the environment minister get in the act just forget it imho

cheers

[Slider]

We do know what we are getting with the LNP and that is bugger all. The disallowance motion to prevent the Nth Qld NFAs told the story in very explicit terms and they are still well and truly behind the netters ... or put another way - against recreational fishing.

As stated in my previous post, if there is no NFA in the Sandy Straights, then green zones will be at a higher percentage than if there is the prospect of a NFA. If you want to even have a chance of reducing the percentage of green then we need Lucy Stanton as the member for Wide Bay.

Commercial fishers around the globe fish the edges of no take reserves .... I wonder why that is??

If wanting to get back just some of the fish that I've seen disappear in my lifetime makes me a greeny then so be it. I only started to push for a Cooloola NFA because the fishing became so bad that it was obvious to me and every other regular fisher in the area that something had to be done or we would all be drinking ourselves to a premature death.

[patrol50]

yep totally agree that the lnp do bugger all for the rec fisher - well good luck lindsay and as i said i have no doubt your heart and commitment is in the right place - but dont be too surprised if the good lady forgets all about her promises and commitments once she is part of the charming labor green alliance - and isnt the local member for bundaberg alledgedly the new unsighted and basically unheard of female fisheries minister

cheers - at least your giving it a good go

[airlock]

I agree we need something done, I've seen first hand the overwhelming number of fish taken from the noosa north shore in nets and the huge amount of bi-cach, often left to drift off into the ocean. However i'd be more like to let the fox sleep in the hen house then put all my hopes in a politician regardless of how dedicated they claim to be. these things need to start at grass roots not handed over to some aspiring back bencher looking to find a springboard into government, even if they do have a genuine concern it is most likely going to be steamrollered the second she puts her hand up.

[Kev_McC]

The ALP announced three net free zones before the last election, and they got my vote for the first time in my life. All three zones and corresponding buyout of licences were implemented on time. Is there a single thing to complain about? I can't think of anything. I had a good day last Sunday - fished the Fitzroy River for 4 hours and caught and released 6 barra between 65 and 83cm plus a few rats, maybe 9 or 10 king threadfin up to about 75, and 4 blue threadies around 65cm. Most of these fish were in the prime size range to get stuck in a net, and would already have been extracted'' if the area could still be netted.
The LNP through Deb Frecklington tried really hard to stop the implementation of these net free zones, and have since said a number of times in the media that an LNP government will look into getting the gill nets back in to these areas when they return to government. Ms Frecklington is now the deputy opposition leader and the shadow minister for fisheries. Something to look forward to.
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Some people are bloody hard to please. If you think its a risk to support a politician that wants to implement a net free zone, then what kind of risk is it to support a politician who will try and INCREASE the netting effort? Í'm not interested in the old party allegiances (so please don't spout some rhetoric at me), I can't tell the differences between the major parties any more. If you assume both of them have an equal chance of doing what they say they will, then you may need to rethink your own old party allegiances and give the current mob a go. They are the first government that's done something for the rec fisho that I can remember.

[patrol50]

"fished the Fitzroy River for 4 hours and caught and released 6 barra between 65 and 83cm plus a few rats, maybe 9 or 10 king threadfin up to about 75, and 4 blue threadies around 65cm."

wee bit hard to believe that fishy tail but anyway mate to the best of my knowledge the local member was the qld fisheries minister at the time was he not and was just maybe allegedly looking after the rec fishers vote for his own back yard one suspects ::) and good luck to you all - the fact that the fitzroy river is now a brilliant net free zone does not necessarily indicate other areas will soon become ones also (but as you appear to be one of the true believers get them to put another 6 net free zones say along the coast from the border up including moreton bay then they would have my vote tomorrow ) - nobody is arguing that net free zones are not bloody brilliant old boy its just that with the stroke of a pen by some dh bureaucrat in brisbane (as moonlighter mentioned) they can also become green zones very easily

and yep if said lucy stanton gets in and becomes the environment or fisheries minister or whatever some day then no doubt she will do all she can to implement her commitments in her local area as well with an eye on the number of rec fishers who vote in that area and that would be great - but not over likely to happen soon as a brand new back bencher - and with a minority alp govt in qld who need the katter boys on side

enjoy them big barra and kingies in the fitzroy mate your'e a lucky boy to catch that kind of unbelievable number in 4 hours methinks ;D but if true then enjoy while you can before the greens come after that area for habitat protection or similar

cheers

[Slider]

Why would the greens/conservationists be now looking to add more green zones when they supported the NFAs as a conservation measure. Why would the ALP want more green than is electorally acceptable when they are implementing NFAs which are electorally acceptable and a conservation measure in their own right. You are simply scaremongering .... a LNP trait if ever there was one.

The Katter boys voted against the LNP Disallowance Motion - they are on side for net free areas. The only politicians opposed to improving recreational fishing are the onesl wearing LNP colours.

[patrol50]

dear me lindsay scaremongering by suggesting the greens will be after more green zones in a newly declared world heritage listed area rather than supporting net free rec fishing areas - good luck with that then old fella but hey i hope you and your other true believers are proved right!!!
and not a great fan of the lnp lindsay but i like the greens even less and the alp do seem to quite like them :o
cheers

ps by the way how about getting The Hon Leanne Donaldson (https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/members/current/list/MemberDetails?ID=1452029152) Member for Bundaberg (ALP) Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Qld to come out and support this option of the net free zones for rec fishing then that the said lucy stanton is proposing to give it real credibility - seems not a lot happening there ???

[Slider]

As with the North Qld NFAs, we are working with the green sector on the Great Sandy NFA. You are obviously not privy to these conversations.

[patrol50]

no lindsay i am not working with the greens mate - but it would appear allegedly now you are !!!!

ps and perhaps not really playing straight if allegedly using NFA association for a political game

[Kev_McC]

I know I shouldn't take offence at anonymous people on the internet so I won't comment any more than to suggest to Patrol50 that you could look up the Rocky Barra Bounty to see how it fishes for those locals and visitors that frequent it when the conditions are right. Maybe I should also have mentioned the previous trip where I got bugger all.

The point is that net free zones are not some conspiracy to trick us into signing away our rights to go and have a fish (the sky hasn't fallen in above the Northern Territory). They are simply areas where commercial gill netting effort is bought out (commercial crabbing and trawling still occurs in these places) so that there are more and larger fish available for others who also value the resource (us?). You could say that they also buy some votes and I won't argue; like I said they got mine for the first time ever.

[patrol50]

and they would also get mine if they put net free zones in the key areas of moreton bay and / or maybe opened up a couple of the more ridiculous green zones to rod and reel fishing only - and yea mate we all get bugger all some days and more often than i care to think of in moreton bay nowdays - so maybe we are sort of on the same page - and frankly i really genuinely do hope it the great sandy net free rec fishing is a goer and it happens !!!!
cheers

ps and no offence meant mate but what was it approx 18 real decent fish in 4 hours is pretty good going and frankly i would be over the moon !!!

[Kev_McC]

yeah I was over the moon! We are very fortunate to have the Fitzroy Delta here. At times since the succession of good wet seasons the system seems to be full of threadies up to around 70cm and they are easy to catch when schooled up and feeding. Too easy really, we often leave the rats biting. From about now until October the blues also school up in the lower reaches and get a bit kamikaze. Without nets the king threadies in particular should be more frequent captures at their mature sizes.

[Slider]

When we have the same agenda of creating a net free area, why wouldn't we be working together?
I have no need to defend my political associations when everybody is well aware that I have been pursuing a net free area for Cooloola and Fraser Island for over 10 years. Will the LNP help me with that?

[rayken1938]

It is a shame that issues similar to this degrade to political issues.
One party will see a political advantage in supporting net free zones whilst another will support the continuing netting.
The net free zones will certainly affect the pro fishermen with a flow on to the local economy.
I would bet my lefty that with this proposal in the wind that the pros are currently maximizing their effort to maximize any proposed buy out..
The inverse will be the positive effect on the local tourism.
The problem being on ballot day is that you will have to decide which of the 1000 political promises you decide is most important to you.
Cheers
Ray

[aussiebasser]

Whilst I love my fishing, if people think they should vote for a certain political party purely by what they promise local fishermen, rather that what that political party intends to do with the overall economy of the country, I think we have a problem.

[Lovey80]

Unfortunately AB, in this instance I think supporting NFA's could be a major benefit to both. Queensland really does have the opportunity to be a fishing Mecca that brings overseas tourists from far and wide. I think these are the start of what is possible.

If the ALP managed to learn to balance a budget between now and the next election on top of this, would have me voting ALP for the first time in my life.

[Just_chips]

[QUOTE=Lovey80;1614863]Unfortunately AB, in this instance I think supporting NFA's could be a major benefit to both. Queensland really does have the opportunity to be a fishing Mecca that brings overseas tourists from far and wide. I think these are the start of what is possible.
QUOTE]

Not just overseas. There are plenty of cashed up Southern Anglers who migrate north looking for some decent water to fish. Sadly in the past Southern QLD just hasn't been able to provide it. If reducing net effort increases results for line anglers and brings back the fishing to good old days standards, I'm sure there would be plenty of Aussie touring anglers and their families arriving in the region also. It's already picturesque enough to be a tourist drawcard, imagine if the fishing was off the charts too?

[Mike Delisser]

When we have the same agenda of creating a net free area, why wouldn't we be working together?
I have no need to defend my political associations when everybody is well aware that I have been pursuing a net free area for Cooloola and Fraser Island for over 10 years. Will the LNP help me with that?

You can read the LNP's new Fisheries Minister's maiden speech and make your own mind up.

Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and ForestryMr LAST (Burdekin—LNP) (12.22 pm): I am honoured to be promoted to the role of shadowminister for agriculture, fisheries and forestry, a portfolio that is very dear to my heart and one that hasthe potential to change the face of Queensland. At the outset I want to acknowledge the excellent workperformed in this portfolio by my predecessor, Deb Frecklington, who had a real connection with thebush, agriculture and our primary industries.It is my intention to ensure Queensland’s primary industries have a strong voice in the parliament,to highlight their issues and continue the common sense and practical policy work of the LNP. I will beworking as hard as I can to support our primary industries and that means working with all major industrygroups and stakeholders to do my bit to help them reach their full potential because we really do havegreat potential for growth in our farm, fishing and forestry industries, potential that I believe is not beingrealised under this Labor government.Over the coming weeks I will be travelling throughout Queensland meeting with industry groups,families on the land and rural and remote communities to take on board their concerns and issues. Igrew up on the land and the grounding I received in the cattle, sugarcane and horticultural industrieswill stand me in good stead in this role. Indeed, I have three brothers who, apart from keeping megrounded, work in the cattle and sugarcane industries and are a valuable source of knowledge. I havecontinued that involvement with the land throughout my career and at various times I have been agrazier, a share farmer and a contract musterer. I have also cut sleepers and cypress pine in the forestrysector in Central Queensland and worked with national park staff in Cape York Peninsula to controlvermin and I have no hesitation in saying that I love the bush.My electorate takes its name from the mighty Burdekin River and centres on the towns of Ayrand Home Hill where sugar is the mainstay industry, an industry that underpins hundreds of local jobsand businesses, including the Hall and Mio families, Don Heatley, the Rapisarda families and, of course,down at Bowen the Born and Jurgen families. These farmers and businesses are concerned about arange of issues, principally around power and water costs, and it is my intention to continue advocatingon their behalf for relief in these areas.I will be working with our farmers to reduce farm runoff and protect the reef whilst maintainingthe rights of our farmers to properly manage their farms without the unnecessary restrictions that thoseopposite wish to impose by scrapping the LNP’s soundly based vegetation management framework. Iwill also be standing up for our farmers in western shires who remain in the grip of drought, many whoare now facing their fourth and fifth year of record low rainfall as a result of the failure of the wet season.I note there has been some very welcome rain in the far west and south-west with the region aroundBirdsville receiving more than 50 millimetres and Napper Merrie on the South Australian border morethan 100 millimetres. This is great news, but more than 80 per cent of Queensland remains droughtdeclared and these graziers, landholders and their local communities cannot be forgotten and I will be 10 May 2016 Matters of Public Interest 1537019doing whatever I can to ensure that support measures for these Queenslanders are as generous andas well targeted as possible.Unlike those opposite, the LNP has a clear plan for agriculture in Queensland, supported bycommon-sense policies for all our major primary industries. Like my predecessor, I intend to work veryclosely with key stakeholder groups and I have already started that consultation process. I will belistening to their needs and I will not be playing politics with groups in any sector, as Labor and BillByrne shamefully have done with fishing, demonising commercial fishers and listening only to their recfishing mates which has led to widespread anger and disillusionment that has cost this state real jobs.I am passionate about agriculture and working to develop the full potential of Queensland’sprimary industries, especially in North Queensland, through fully planned and costed development ofwater resources and high-value farmland, helping to deliver the infrastructure, water, roads, power andports infrastructure that are needed.Development of agribusiness in this state should be seen as paramount. It is my vision thatagribusiness will rise to become the leading economic development and job creating industry in thestate of Queensland. As the shadow minister for agriculture, fisheries and forestry, I will be looking tobuild a Queensland global agribusiness strategy that promotes agribusiness in Asia with Queenslandand Australia’s trade agreement partners China, Japan and Korea. I will also be working on thepromotion of education and training in agribusiness in schools, TAFEs and universities because at theend of the day the LNP is about creating long-term jobs and looking after our farmers.Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Farmer): Before I call the member for Keppel, I remindmembers that when they are referring to members they do so by their formal title.Keppel, Police ResourcesMrs LAUGA (Keppel—ALP) (12.27 pm):


I wonder why our own MP Mark didn't get the gig?

[Moonlighter]

Are these REALLY the people you want to get into bed with?

http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/showthread.php/204558-Recreational-angling-in-in-the-firing-line

[Slider]

Probably no worse than cuddling up to the LNP from a rec fishing perspective, but we're not in bed with 'these' people. Just the same ones that helped get us the NFAs in NQ.