News release - Investment Warning

[QLD_Fisheries]

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/news/NewsReleases/11882.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

[Lucky_Phill]

Investment warning for East Coast Spanish Mackerel Fishery
The Department of Primary Industries Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) has issued an investment warning for Queensland’s East Coast Spanish Mackerel Fishery as part of its review of the fishery’s management arrangements.

QFS deputy director-general Peter Neville warned those people with a current or contemplated commercial interest in the fishery that increases in their commercial catch and/or fishing effort and their current level of commercial investment in the fishery may not be recognised from today (February 21) as part of future management arrangements.

Mr Neville said the investment warning follows concerns about the sustainability of Spanish mackerel stocks which emerged from a recent fishery stock assessment.

“There are also concerns that after the proposed new management arrangements for the Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery are implemented, fishing effort could be transferred to the Spanish Mackerel Fishery placing it under even more pressure,” he said.

“Operators and investors are being warned that any increase in their level of investment or operations may not be recognised in forming new management arrangements.”

Mr Neville said QFS is committed to the sustainability of Queensland’s fish stocks.

“This investment warning is the first step towards ensuring that those commercial operators with a demonstrated reliance on the fishery are able to continue to fish within sustainable limits,” he said.

Mr Neville said QFS is reviewing the Queensland East Coast Spanish Mackerel Fishery management arrangements with advice from its Reef Fish Management Advisory Committee (ReefMAC).

The committee consists of major users of the State’s reef line fisheries including commercial and recreational fishers, charter boat operators, conservationists, indigenous fishers, marketers, managers, compliance officers and researchers.

Details of the review will be released for public comment in the near future.

This'll make it easier than popping into the site. Sounds like a big review on the Spanish is on the cards.

They have been coping a pounding, from what I hear. Not as much as Spotties, but non-the-less a floggin !

[rick k]

beauty Phill, thanks.

Never caught a spaniard, but its on my list.........