jaybee
20-07-2004, 06:14 PM
By DANNY MORTISON 19jul04
THE North Queensland branch of Queensland's biggest recreational fishing organisation may still mount a legal challenge against the Federal Government over closures to 30 per cent of the Great Barrier Reef.
Sunfish North Queensland chairman Brian Pickup said support had been promised for a legal challenge, with donations coming in from the Tweed River in the south to Cooktown in the North.
"However, we now need someone who has been affected by the closures who is prepared to help us with the legal action," he said.
"Our solicitors have received a response from the Minister and we're not happy with that response.
"We are still unhappy about the consultation process and he (Minister David Kemp) has now said he does not have to comply with the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act. We think the Government should be bound by it."
Mr Pickup said the main thrust of a Sunfish challenge would be the way in which the new RAP (Representative Areas Program) was put into action.
"There has been scientific information from both sides on this issue but we sincerely believe the new zonings will place additional pressure on areas left open, which may have a dramatic effect on fish stocks in those areas in the future," he said.
Mr Pickup said many commercial and recreational fishermen had already been hit under the Coral Reef Fishing restructure and the East Coast Trawl Plan restructure and were now fighting for survival.
THE North Queensland branch of Queensland's biggest recreational fishing organisation may still mount a legal challenge against the Federal Government over closures to 30 per cent of the Great Barrier Reef.
Sunfish North Queensland chairman Brian Pickup said support had been promised for a legal challenge, with donations coming in from the Tweed River in the south to Cooktown in the North.
"However, we now need someone who has been affected by the closures who is prepared to help us with the legal action," he said.
"Our solicitors have received a response from the Minister and we're not happy with that response.
"We are still unhappy about the consultation process and he (Minister David Kemp) has now said he does not have to comply with the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act. We think the Government should be bound by it."
Mr Pickup said the main thrust of a Sunfish challenge would be the way in which the new RAP (Representative Areas Program) was put into action.
"There has been scientific information from both sides on this issue but we sincerely believe the new zonings will place additional pressure on areas left open, which may have a dramatic effect on fish stocks in those areas in the future," he said.
Mr Pickup said many commercial and recreational fishermen had already been hit under the Coral Reef Fishing restructure and the East Coast Trawl Plan restructure and were now fighting for survival.