News Release - Review of Moreton Bay Trawl Fishery

[QLD_Fisheries]

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/news/NewsReleases/14818.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 Fishweb site at http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb

[stark]

Nice to see Qld Fisheries tacking a more active media roll in the site.

Cheers
John



30 March, 2004

Review of Moreton Bay Trawl Fishery
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has begun a major review of the Moreton Bay Trawl Fishery.

Queensland Fisheries Service deputy director-general Peter Neville said the review would particularly focus on trawl effort in Moreton Bay.

Mr Neville said extremely high catches of tiger prawns had been reported in Moreton Bay in recent months, encouraging operators to spend more time targeting the species.

“Given the high catches, it is timely to advise current licence holders and anyone considering investing in the fishery that QFS has started a detailed review of the fishery,” he said.

Mr Neville said the review would address the total amount of trawl effort allowed in Moreton Bay each year.

“Although the number of boats that can access the fishery is limited to about 90, each one could potentially fish more than 200 nights,” he said.

“While this is unlikely to happen, such an event would have a significant impact on the sustainability of prawn stocks and other species in Moreton Bay.”

Mr Neville said the review was not being carried out to reduce effort but to determine what level Moreton Bay could sustainably accommodate and be managed.

He said the review would also identify a boat replacement policy for the Moreton Bay “M2” fleet that was less restrictive than the current two for one surrender provisions.

“The review is looking for a much fairer system for holders of M2 licences,” Mr Neville said.

“Under the current system, because there is such a low number of M2 licences it is extremely difficult for a fisher to find a second licence on the market to surrender when replacing their boat.”

A working group consisting of QFS staff, a representative from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and six Moreton Bay trawl representatives is overseeing the review.

QFS is planning to hold a series of meetings in late May to discuss the review with industry.


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Further information: Brigid Kerrigan (07) 3225 1842
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

[Wesley_Pang]

Mr Neville said the review was not being carried out to reduce effort but to determine what level Moreton Bay could sustainably accommodate and be managed.

Does that mean nothing will come out of this review?

Wes

[Lucky_Phill]

Just hope that Mr Neville is not only looking at the sustainability of Tiger Prawns, but in fact takes serious note of the substantial damage to seagrass/ seabed and disguarded by-catch.

There is NO disputing that the Trawl effort in Moreton Bay is having dramatic impacts on stocks of marine life, other than Prawn.

He says, that 200 days could be used, but that is unlikely as it would have a ' significant ' impact on the bay fishery. WELL, why the hell not, put in place regs, to stop this from ever happening. There has been tooooooo many, instances where a Govt policy has been introduced and the dramatic optimum level achieved in an area, which was foreseen by the Govt, but believed unattainable.

Talk, talk, meeting, meeting.

NIKE' ( Just do it ! )

Phill

[harryhoy]

What other stocks do ya reckon, Phil?

[dazza]

Wes
i think you hit the nail on the head
bugger all will happen, which is typical of qfs, imho
cheers
dazza

[CHRIS_aka_GWH]

the lower the target on the food chain - the greater the impact on the environment but the less obvious the effect.

ain't rocket science.

why doesn't the good minister do a "surprise" public relations trip on a bay trawler one night or don't they want the truth. He could help sort at the table & be actively involved in the fishery dropping 6kg of lifeless fry over the side for every 1kg of prawn. Maybe when he gets to his 50th undersize squire with its eyes hanging out he'll see why the rec lobby gets a bit hot under the collar when talking trawling.

chris

[jockey]

Ignoring the bycatch issue, the lower the target on the foodchain the less impact it has. The food chain is like a pyramid - there is much less biomass at the top then at the bottom. Each kg from the top has a much bigger impact than each kg removed from further down.