Originally Posted by Aigutso
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ANGLERS have accused the Environmental Protection Agency of being high-handed, bullying and dishonest over the rezoning of Moreton Bay.
They say the consultation process is a sham and the EPA has already largely decided where Moreton Bay Marine Park green zones will go. Queensland Game Fishing Association conservation officer Evan Jones said yesterday he had written a letter of complaint to Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr and Premier Peter Beattie.
Last Wednesday about 30 stakeholders were shown a map of 35 "places of interest" – areas expected to form the basis of green zones.
The EPA refused to distribute the map for analysis of potential closures and has refused to provide information such as a total area of green zones. After complaints, the EPA provided map co-ordinates.
Stakeholders believe there will be no fishing of any kind in a minimum 10 per cent of each of the 16 bioregions in the park.
Dr Jones said his organisation was given just six days to work out where the 35 areas were, analyse them, consult 20 affiliated clubs and respond.
"We were told that under no circumstances were we to have a copy of their map although they said we could do mud maps," Dr Jones said.
He said a complaint to EPA director-general Terry Wall had brought the response that detailed maps would not be issued because this would lead to misinformation.
Ms Nelson-Carr yesterday defended the EPA, saying extensive consultation had occurred, including one-on-one meetings with the association.
"I appointed a representative from this organisation to the stakeholder reference group," Ms Nelson-Carr said.
"They have attended regularly and been briefed by the department and had the opportunity to have input through this process."
Currently, only 0.5 per cent of the bay is in no-go or green zones. Commercial fishers agree this has to be increased, but the extent and placement of zones will be crucial, especially as compensation claims will be launched.
A panel headed by the University of Queensland's Paul Greenfield has recommended at least 10 per cent of the park stretching 125km from Caloundra to the Gold Coast be in green zones.
Ms Nelson-Carr said stakeholders were not given a map because changes were expected.
Maps would be provided when a draft zoning plan had been produced.
The plan would be released for comment at the end of the year, and it would be finalised in the second half of 2008.
) but all in all not to bad
deep offshore area 19, 13 and 7 have me a bit stumped how did they work these out? i loose a bit of pearlie ground in 7, offshore area 13 covers Nat pinnical and some of the nth 35'5 but really seems to be targeted at the pinnicals in this area. ( i know why but they will never admit it, blows there lies out of the water) and area 19 is near some good stuff, bit strange.
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