Coral Reef Plan Release Welcomed by SUNFISH Qld

[jaybee]

SUNFISH QUEENSLAND Media Release

MEDIA RELEASE 8th September 2003

Mr David Bateman, Executive Officer SUNFISH Qld. today welcomed the release of the Coral Reef Plan by the Premier and the Minister for Primary Industries. Several proposals have changed since the initial release and obviously some notice has been taken of public submissions.


The plan has been a long time coming and our members have been involved in the discussions since day one he said. The result is a balanced plan introducing restrictions on all fishing sectors and was basically developed by REEF MAC with input through several consultative processes in the last 2 years.

There are several issues which our members have objected to, such as no take on iconic species such as Maori Wrasse and Barramundi cod but in general most of the basic issues of resource management have been addressed and the plan has our support Mr Bateman said.


Although the plan allows for the closure to fishing for 3 x 9 day periods to protect spawning fish it still allows diving during that period and consequent disturbance in and around these spawning aggregations.

Our members take a dim view of “selected” exclusion and it is hoped that the GBRMPA will back up the Queensland Government’s initiatives with a similar closure to diving in known spawning areas he said.



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Contact Point – Mr David Bateman EO SUNFISH 07 38804261

[Gazza]

Bloody pervert divers (o-n-l-y 3 x 9 days /yr) #

Gee whiz , and stop scaring off the GNS ,we (RecFishos )keep getting blamed for it.....DOH!!

Regards
Gazza