News Release - Habitat signs for the Gold Coast

[QLD_Fisheries]

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/news/NewsReleases/15724.html

The information contained in this document is distributed by the Queensland Government for information purposes only. All reasonable steps have been made to ensure the information is accurate at the time of publication. For more information visit the DPI&F Fishweb site at http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb

[Lucky_Phill]

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4 August 2004

Fish habitat signs helping to educate Gold Coast community
A series of Fish Habitat Area (FHA) signs have been established throughout the Gold Coast region as part of an ongoing Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) extension campaign.

The signs are located at key sites on the Gold Coast, helping the community to understand the importance of FHAs in protecting fisheries resources.

The signs feature a map showing where the FHAs are located as well as information about what activities are allowed within a FHA.

DPI&F senior fisheries biologist Scott McKinnon said there were currently six declared FHAs within the Gold Coast area at Jumpinpin-Broadwater, Pimpama, Coomera, Coombabah, Tallebudgera Creek and Currumbin Creek.

Mr McKinnon said these areas provided high-level protection for more than 12,000 hectares of the most productive estuarine fish habitats within the Gold Coast.

“These areas support significant recreational and commercial fisheries that are an integral part of the Gold Coast lifestyle for both residents and tourists,” he said.

“Ongoing protection and management of fish habitats, combined with effective planning and managing surrounding catchments are essential in ensuring fish stocks and fisheries within the Gold Coast region remain sustainable.”

FHAs were first introduced to Queensland in 1969 to protect fish habitats from the impacts of ongoing coastal developments.

These habitats are critical to the long-term sustainability of the State’s fisheries, protecting natural fish habitats from alteration and degradation, while still allowing community access to the area and legal fishing activities to continue.

With the support of commercial and recreational fishers and local governments, DPI&F now manages more than 700,000 hectares of high quality fish habitats in a statewide network.

For more information about FHAs visit the DPI&F Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb



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Further information: Scott McKinnon (07) 3817 9528
Media Officer: Liz Smith Ph: +61 7 3224 7757
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Media Unit
GPO Box 46 Brisbane Qld 4001. Fax +61 7 3239 0860
DPI&F Call Centre 8am-6pm weekdays on local call 13 25 23

[SeaHunt]

The one at Jumpin Pin is Swan Bay right./
About half to 1 k down from the tip of south Straddie is a small Island only about 30 metres from S. Straddie more or less opposite Tiger mullet, Anyway I was pumping a few Yabbies there and came across this old pre war looking sign, rusted off at the base and half buried which basically said it was illegal to collect yabbies there, is this still current, anyone else seen it? :P