Let's see the data on Moreton Bay lock-outs

[Shane Boese]

Ray Hopper MP
Shadow Minister for Food Security & Agriculture (including Fisheries)

Thursday, 12 February 2009

Let's see the data on Moreton Bay lock-outs

All science data supporting the Bligh Government's fishing lock-out zones in Moreton Bay to take effect on March 1 should be released for public scrutiny, the LNP said today.

LNP fisheries spokesman Ray Hopper called on the government to release all scientific data on which it had based its green zones in Moreton Bay.

In a motion to Parliament, he also requested that any green zones only be introduced after robust scientific assessment of the benefits.

"In just over two weeks' time, on the 1st of March, the Government's new zoning plan for Moreton Bay Marine Park comes into effect. This will ban fishing in 16 per cent of Moreton Bay, which stretches 125km from Caloundra to the Gold Coast Seaway.

"The LNP believes fishing in the Bay must be sustainable, but that decisions must be made on sound, measurable science, not philosophical beliefs or politics," Mr Hopper told Parliament.

"The Government should release their scientific data to demonstrate that they have the research to justify their decisions on the zonings in Moreton Bay and that they aren't just cynically trying to shore up Green preferences ahead of this year's election."

Mr Hopper said an independent study, developed by Moreton Bay commercial fishermen in partnership with the recreational fishing sector, top scientists and other industries, included zoning recommendations for Moreton Bay, but these were mostly ignored by the government.

"This study indicated that the government could have achieved a similar level of habitat protection with far less impact on Moreton Bay's net, trawl and crab fishing industries, as well as a lesser impact on recreational fishing.

"Moreton Bay supports a vital seafood industry, worth $100 million a year to Queensland's economy, and while 16 per cent of the Bay is designated green zone, approximately 25 per cent will be effectively closed to all commercial fishing and 55 per cent closed to trawling and this is estimated that this will effectively close 30 to 40 per cent of the prime productive fishing spots in Moreton Bay."

Mr Hopper said last year, the efforts of commercial fishermen in Moreton Bay were recognised, with the Moreton Bay Seafood Industry Association winning a United Nations' World Environment Day Award for Excellence in Marine and Coastal Management.

"The LNP believes it's in everyone's interest to ensure the Bay s properly managed, delivering healthy seafood to the plates of Queensland families in a sustainable way, and preserving Moreton Bay for generations to come. But this is something that has to be done with proper consultation, and with the science to back it up."

[Luc]

Using their numbers, the government changed the original motion to say what a wonderful job was done by the EPA and fully supported.

From Hanzard (after 11 pages of 'debate')

"That the house notes that the scientific principles, habitat maps and analysis methods that support the Zoning Plan in Moreton Bay have been publicly available since December 2007 on the EPS website.

Further, that this house endorses the rezoning of the Moreton Bay Marine Park because it meets international principles of conservation, protects a wide range of habitata and species occuring in the Bay - some under threat of extinction like the dugong, grey nurse sharks and loggerhead turtles, retains 84% of the bay for recreational fishing, support development of new recreational fishing opportunities through a $1 million artificial reef program and ensures a viable commercial fishing industry through the buyout of licenses."

See it's all good we have 84% of the bay to fish in

The government told you so

Luc

[TimiBoy]

February 28. Protest.

http://www.saveourbay.org.au/

Be there, or be square. Bring your boat! Is the message getting through?

Cheers,

Tim