jaybee
17-10-2003, 01:34 AM
Sunfish Media Relaease
15/10/2003
Mr David Bateman AM, Executive Officer SUNFISH Qld today congratulated the Government on releasing a discussion paper and RIS on the management of Grey Nurse Sharks in Queensland.
SUNFISH has been supportive of the research program into the recovery of these Internationally listed “endangered species”. We have already developed a “Code of Conduct” in conjunction with other users, to minimize any potential effect we may have he said. The proposals however include a total exclusion zone around some of the most popular fishing locations such as Flat Rock, Henderson’s Rock and Wolf Rock. These will extend for a minimum of up to 1.2 kilometers and seriously affect inshore access to prime fishing grounds.
SUNFISH do not agree totally with all the findings or many of the unqualified “scientific statements” being made but this is the opportunity to allow the 40,000 offshore, game, sport and charter fishers who are going to be affected by any decisions to express their opinion Mr Bateman said.
When decisions are being made it is hoped that the Government will consider the social consequences and the well being of the GNS first and economic gains for specific groups second. Some of the options proposed still allow access at the designated sites by commercial dive operators and this is not acceptable if true protection and recovery of these species is to be achieved he said.
With the draft changes to the Marine park zonings and the Nature Conservation Regulations not yet defined, our members would hope that any restrictions through Fisheries Legislation would occur at the same time so that recreational fishers are not discriminated against unfairly well before other users.
SUNFISH will be proposing a “phase in” period including our Code of Conduct, with a 12 month review of interim arrangements before irreversible closures are legislated Mr Bateman said.
All anglers are encouraged to reply to the proposal, write to the Minister or the Premier and discuss their point of view with their local State Member.
Contact Point – David Bateman AM, Executive Officer, SUNFISH Qld 07 38804261
Fishing in the vicinity of Grey Nurse Shark aggregation sites
Code of Conduct for recreational fishers
This code of conduct applies to the 6 Grey Nurse Aggregation Sites listed below;
Wolf Rock (Double Island Point)
Henderson (Moreton Island)
Cherubs (Moreton Island)
China Wall (Moreton Island)
Hutchinson’s (Moreton Is)
Flat Rock (North Stradbroke Island)
At Grey Nurse Shark aggregation sites, fishers will abide by the following conditions:
· No bottom-fishing with bait, or spearfishing, within 200 m of an aggregation site
· No use of stainless steel hooks or wire trace while bottom-fishing from 200 m to 1 km of an aggregation site
· Trolling and drifting using bait, lure or artificial fly to catch pelagic species is permitted
· Fishers will report all sightings and interactions with Grey Nurse Sharks to the Environmental Protection Authority
· Fishers will actively cooperate to relevant ongoing research into the status of Grey Nurse Sharks
15/10/2003
Mr David Bateman AM, Executive Officer SUNFISH Qld today congratulated the Government on releasing a discussion paper and RIS on the management of Grey Nurse Sharks in Queensland.
SUNFISH has been supportive of the research program into the recovery of these Internationally listed “endangered species”. We have already developed a “Code of Conduct” in conjunction with other users, to minimize any potential effect we may have he said. The proposals however include a total exclusion zone around some of the most popular fishing locations such as Flat Rock, Henderson’s Rock and Wolf Rock. These will extend for a minimum of up to 1.2 kilometers and seriously affect inshore access to prime fishing grounds.
SUNFISH do not agree totally with all the findings or many of the unqualified “scientific statements” being made but this is the opportunity to allow the 40,000 offshore, game, sport and charter fishers who are going to be affected by any decisions to express their opinion Mr Bateman said.
When decisions are being made it is hoped that the Government will consider the social consequences and the well being of the GNS first and economic gains for specific groups second. Some of the options proposed still allow access at the designated sites by commercial dive operators and this is not acceptable if true protection and recovery of these species is to be achieved he said.
With the draft changes to the Marine park zonings and the Nature Conservation Regulations not yet defined, our members would hope that any restrictions through Fisheries Legislation would occur at the same time so that recreational fishers are not discriminated against unfairly well before other users.
SUNFISH will be proposing a “phase in” period including our Code of Conduct, with a 12 month review of interim arrangements before irreversible closures are legislated Mr Bateman said.
All anglers are encouraged to reply to the proposal, write to the Minister or the Premier and discuss their point of view with their local State Member.
Contact Point – David Bateman AM, Executive Officer, SUNFISH Qld 07 38804261
Fishing in the vicinity of Grey Nurse Shark aggregation sites
Code of Conduct for recreational fishers
This code of conduct applies to the 6 Grey Nurse Aggregation Sites listed below;
Wolf Rock (Double Island Point)
Henderson (Moreton Island)
Cherubs (Moreton Island)
China Wall (Moreton Island)
Hutchinson’s (Moreton Is)
Flat Rock (North Stradbroke Island)
At Grey Nurse Shark aggregation sites, fishers will abide by the following conditions:
· No bottom-fishing with bait, or spearfishing, within 200 m of an aggregation site
· No use of stainless steel hooks or wire trace while bottom-fishing from 200 m to 1 km of an aggregation site
· Trolling and drifting using bait, lure or artificial fly to catch pelagic species is permitted
· Fishers will report all sightings and interactions with Grey Nurse Sharks to the Environmental Protection Authority
· Fishers will actively cooperate to relevant ongoing research into the status of Grey Nurse Sharks