jaybee
07-03-2003, 01:24 PM
The State's newest hi-tech fisheries enforcement vessel - that will patrol between Bundaberg and the NSW border - was launched by Premier Peter Beattie in Brisbane this morning.
Mr Beattie, who was joined by Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk and Member for Clayfield Liddy Clark at the vessel's commissioning, said the 17.9-metre Flinders would be based at Pinkenba and replace the much smaller Murchison II.
"This new vessel will give our fisheries and boating enforcement officers a greater presence - but its links to satellite and the exact location of the commercial trawl fleet virtually gives it eyes in the sky," Mr Beattie said.
The vessel takes her name from explorer Matthew Flinders. Also her name recognises Flinders Reef a popular fishing spot north of Moreton Island and within the patrol area of the vessel.
Built here in Brisbane by the BSC Marine Group, Flinders will have the capacity to remain at sea for 10 days at a time with accommodation for up to eight staff.
It will also boast a larger secondary boat of 4.3 metres for launch and retrieval at sea.
Flinders has a range of 600 nautical miles, a top speed of 18 knots as well as the latest navigational and satellite-linked radar technology.
Mr Beattie said the majority of commercial and recreational fishers abided with the law.
"But for the minority we have new laws and a new and advanced enforcer on the beat. Our fisheries are important and must be protected."
"As a Government we have introduced wide-ranging reforms to the management of our fisheries to ensure its long-term sustainability."
"But if we shied away from taking those decisions and introducing tougher laws, we could not guarantee future generations of Queenslanders continued access to our fisheries."
Mr Palaszczuk said the commissioning of Flinders was among a number of innovations introduced to the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol to give it greater coverage of Queensland waters.
"We have overseen the roll-out of the satellite-based Vessel Monitoring System to the commercial trawling fleet," he said.
"In addition, we have introduced on-the-spot fines so our Patrol officers can spend more time in the field, rather than in the courts."
"The Patrol has developed a co-operative role with Water Police and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
"Also the Patrol works in partnership and on behalf of Queensland Transport, the Environmental Protection Agency as well as Commonwealth's agencies such as the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority."
"Fishcare volunteers continue to play an important role in educating our fishers about their responsibilities and all QBFP officers are now on the technical stream of the public service and each officer requires tertiary qualifications to join it," said Mr Palaszczuk.
as stated the Patrol has developed a co-operative role with Water Police and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
maybe the police should be given more powers as in NSW
Mr Beattie, who was joined by Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk and Member for Clayfield Liddy Clark at the vessel's commissioning, said the 17.9-metre Flinders would be based at Pinkenba and replace the much smaller Murchison II.
"This new vessel will give our fisheries and boating enforcement officers a greater presence - but its links to satellite and the exact location of the commercial trawl fleet virtually gives it eyes in the sky," Mr Beattie said.
The vessel takes her name from explorer Matthew Flinders. Also her name recognises Flinders Reef a popular fishing spot north of Moreton Island and within the patrol area of the vessel.
Built here in Brisbane by the BSC Marine Group, Flinders will have the capacity to remain at sea for 10 days at a time with accommodation for up to eight staff.
It will also boast a larger secondary boat of 4.3 metres for launch and retrieval at sea.
Flinders has a range of 600 nautical miles, a top speed of 18 knots as well as the latest navigational and satellite-linked radar technology.
Mr Beattie said the majority of commercial and recreational fishers abided with the law.
"But for the minority we have new laws and a new and advanced enforcer on the beat. Our fisheries are important and must be protected."
"As a Government we have introduced wide-ranging reforms to the management of our fisheries to ensure its long-term sustainability."
"But if we shied away from taking those decisions and introducing tougher laws, we could not guarantee future generations of Queenslanders continued access to our fisheries."
Mr Palaszczuk said the commissioning of Flinders was among a number of innovations introduced to the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol to give it greater coverage of Queensland waters.
"We have overseen the roll-out of the satellite-based Vessel Monitoring System to the commercial trawling fleet," he said.
"In addition, we have introduced on-the-spot fines so our Patrol officers can spend more time in the field, rather than in the courts."
"The Patrol has developed a co-operative role with Water Police and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
"Also the Patrol works in partnership and on behalf of Queensland Transport, the Environmental Protection Agency as well as Commonwealth's agencies such as the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority."
"Fishcare volunteers continue to play an important role in educating our fishers about their responsibilities and all QBFP officers are now on the technical stream of the public service and each officer requires tertiary qualifications to join it," said Mr Palaszczuk.
as stated the Patrol has developed a co-operative role with Water Police and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
maybe the police should be given more powers as in NSW