jaybee
30-09-2003, 04:18 PM
Courier Mail News
Brendan O'Malley 29 sep 03
COMMERCIAL fishermen would be banned from operating within 1km of the shoreline, from the Brisbane River to Deception Bay, under a proposal by recreational anglers.
Sunfish, which represents the anglers, has made the ban one of its top priorities.
New Sunfish chairman Bill Turner has also called for bans on commercial fishing in prime recreational areas along the Queensland coast and a ban on the commercial take of tailor in the southeast.
"We have got to do something about Moreton Bay in particular," Mr Turner said.
"By 2020 the predictions are there will be another 250,000 to 300,000 anglers fishing (Moreton Bay) – that will take it up to almost a million people. But the resource is diminishing and the stock is the lowest it has ever been."
Trawlers are banned less than 1km from the shore from the mouth of the Brisbane River to the northern end of Moreton Bay.
However professional netters, crabbers and beam trawlers are still allowed to use the area.
Mr Turner said he would push for a major expansion of fishing "havens", similar to the NSW model where almost 30 areas covering one-third of the coast were off-limits except for recreational fishing.
Queensland Seafood Industry Association chief executive Duncan Souter said the proposal was not based on sustainability, but on anglers catching more fish.
Brendan O'Malley 29 sep 03
COMMERCIAL fishermen would be banned from operating within 1km of the shoreline, from the Brisbane River to Deception Bay, under a proposal by recreational anglers.
Sunfish, which represents the anglers, has made the ban one of its top priorities.
New Sunfish chairman Bill Turner has also called for bans on commercial fishing in prime recreational areas along the Queensland coast and a ban on the commercial take of tailor in the southeast.
"We have got to do something about Moreton Bay in particular," Mr Turner said.
"By 2020 the predictions are there will be another 250,000 to 300,000 anglers fishing (Moreton Bay) – that will take it up to almost a million people. But the resource is diminishing and the stock is the lowest it has ever been."
Trawlers are banned less than 1km from the shore from the mouth of the Brisbane River to the northern end of Moreton Bay.
However professional netters, crabbers and beam trawlers are still allowed to use the area.
Mr Turner said he would push for a major expansion of fishing "havens", similar to the NSW model where almost 30 areas covering one-third of the coast were off-limits except for recreational fishing.
Queensland Seafood Industry Association chief executive Duncan Souter said the proposal was not based on sustainability, but on anglers catching more fish.