jaybee
14-07-2004, 05:56 PM
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) has lifted the investment warnings for Queensland’s Coral Reef Fin Fish and East Coast Spanish Mackerel Fisheries.
An investment warning was first issued for the coral reef fishery in May 1997 and for Spanish mackerel in February last year.
The warnings advised people that current or future increases in commercial fishing effort or investment in the fisheries might not be recognised as part of future management arrangements.
However, DPI&F deputy director-general John Pollock said the introduction of the Fisheries (Coral Reef Fin Fish) Management Plan 2003 and Fisheries Amendment Regulation 2003 had superseded the investment warnings in both fisheries.
“The investment warning for the coral reef fishery was implemented following concerns about the sustainability of fish stocks which were under pressure from a significant increase in commercial and recreational fishing activities,” he said.
“There were also concerns that the new management arrangements for the coral reef fishery would transfer fishing effort to Spanish mackerel placing this fishery under even more pressure.
“This prompted an investment warning to be issued for the Spanish mackerel fishery.”
Mr Pollock said the new legislation introduced a range of sustainable management practices to both fisheries, removing the need for the investment warnings.
“Individual catch quotas and Total Allowable Catches were introduced for both fisheries, addressing the sustainability issues and ensuring the future of coral reef and Spanish mackerel stocks,” he said.
“Industry will now be able to confidently plan the long-term viability of their businesses.
“The new practices will provide security and ensure the environmental, social and economic importance of both fisheries are retained.”
An investment warning was first issued for the coral reef fishery in May 1997 and for Spanish mackerel in February last year.
The warnings advised people that current or future increases in commercial fishing effort or investment in the fisheries might not be recognised as part of future management arrangements.
However, DPI&F deputy director-general John Pollock said the introduction of the Fisheries (Coral Reef Fin Fish) Management Plan 2003 and Fisheries Amendment Regulation 2003 had superseded the investment warnings in both fisheries.
“The investment warning for the coral reef fishery was implemented following concerns about the sustainability of fish stocks which were under pressure from a significant increase in commercial and recreational fishing activities,” he said.
“There were also concerns that the new management arrangements for the coral reef fishery would transfer fishing effort to Spanish mackerel placing this fishery under even more pressure.
“This prompted an investment warning to be issued for the Spanish mackerel fishery.”
Mr Pollock said the new legislation introduced a range of sustainable management practices to both fisheries, removing the need for the investment warnings.
“Individual catch quotas and Total Allowable Catches were introduced for both fisheries, addressing the sustainability issues and ensuring the future of coral reef and Spanish mackerel stocks,” he said.
“Industry will now be able to confidently plan the long-term viability of their businesses.
“The new practices will provide security and ensure the environmental, social and economic importance of both fisheries are retained.”