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Rocky Reef Fin Fish Fishery review


Gad

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This came in an email newsletter, from the Dept. of Employment,Economic Developement & Innovation, that I received yesterday (14/12/10).

There may be some on the site who may want to have an input in this review

Rocky Reef Fin Fish Fishery review

Fisheries Queensland, based on the outcomes of recent stock assessments, has determined snapper as overfished. As a result, Fisheries Queensland is reviewing management arrangements for snapper and other fish in the Rocky Reef Fin Fish Fishery. A Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) has been released for public comment.

The RIS outlines options for managing this fishery in the future. As part of this RIS, all fishing rules for the Rocky Reef Fin Fish Fishery are under review to ensure the long-term sustainability of the state´s stock of snapper and other species. As such, a range of proposals affecting all fishing sectors are included in the RIS for public feedback.

Snapper closure

In addition to the review, an interim closure from 15 February to 31 March 2011 has been put in place until new fishing rules can be finalised.

The interim closure is an immediate action to reduce the fishing pressure on snapper.

The interim six-week closure will apply to all Queensland east coast waters. During this time, snapper will be off limits to all recreational, charter and commercial fishers and should not be targeted. To effectively reduce fishing pressure, the closure will also apply to the other main co-caught species of pearl perch and teraglin.

Background

Two stock assessments were carried out by Fisheries Queensland - one in 2006 and the other in 2009. Based on the outcomes of the stock assessments Fisheries Queensland has determined that the snapper stock is less than 35% of its unfished levels. It is internationally recognised that fish stocks at 40% (or less) of their ´unfished levels´ are classed as ´overfished´. This means snapper in Queensland is being harvested at unsustainable levels.

Independent reviews of these assessments including the most recent review conducted by ABARE-BRS have supported the finding that snapper are likely overfished in Queensland.

While it is unlikely that snapper will be fished to the point where the stock collapses, significant ecological, economic and social impacts are likely if overfishing continues.

The options in the RIS have been developed by Fisheries Queensland taking into consideration advice from a Stakeholder Network Working Group which included representatives from the commercial, recreational and charter fishing sectors; tackle industry; and the seafood marketing sector.

Get involved

The Rocky Reef Fin Fish Fishery consultation document and response form are available to download or by calling 13 25 23.

Feedback can be provided by completing the response form online at http://www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au. Alternatively, the RIS and response form can be downloaded (link to docs below).

The response form can be returned by either email to: Rockyreef@deedi.qld.gov.au or post to: Rocky Reef Fin Fish Fishery Review, Fisheries Queensland, GPO Box 46, Brisbane, QLD 4001.

You are encouraged to attend one of the RIS information sessions to be held between the Gold Coast and Mackay. Dates, times and venues are outlined below:

DATE

LOCATION

TIME

VENUE

ADDRESS

27/01/11

Mackay

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Reef Resort Mackay

166 - 170 Nebo Street

Mackay

28/01/11

Yeppoon

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Rosslyn Bay Inn

Vin. E. Jones Drive, RosslynBay

Yeppoon

31/01/11

Bundaberg

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Western Suburbs League Club

Avoca Street

Bundaberg

01/02/11

Hervey Bay

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Hervey Bay Boat Club

Buccaneer Drive

Hervey Bay

02/02/11

Tin Can Bay

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Tin Can Bay Country Club

Kidd Straight

Tin Can Bay

03/02/11

Noosa

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Ivory Palms Resort

73 Hilton Terrace

Noosaville

07/02/11

Mooloolaba

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Landmark Resort

Cnr Mooloolaba Esplanade & Burnett Street Mooloolaba

08/02/11

Caloundra

7:00pm - 9:00pm

The Events Centre

20 Minchinto Street

Caloundra

09/02/11

Redcliffe

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Redcliff Leagues Club

Cnr Klingner & Ashmole Roads

Redcliffe

10/02/11

Wynnum

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Wynnum RSL

174 Tingal Road

Wynnum

14/02/11

Victoria Point

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Redland Bowls Club

3 Poinciana Avenue

Victoria Point

15/02/11

Southport

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Southport Sharks Club

Cnr Musgrave & Olsen Avenues

Southport

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Independent reviews of these assessments including the most recent review conducted by ABARE-BRS have supported the finding that snapper are likely overfished in Queensland.

While it is unlikely that snapper will be fished to the point where the stock collapses, significant ecological, economic and social impacts are likely if overfishing continues.

:blink: Maybe it's too early, but that seems likely to be a triple contradiction :unsure: ...Oh what a tangled web we weave....

I would have thought the term "overfished" would likely have meant "that snapper will be fished to the point where the stock collapses". :huh:

I'm getting dizzy from all the spin :side: so early in the morning,:pinch: but the big nose is beginning to smell a rat :sick:

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Let's hope the science is better than what their NSW counterparts used for this decision -


/>http://www.fishingworld.com.au/news/angler-protest-action-forces-minister-to-review-fishing-ban

Excerpt =

Part of the evidence used to justify the proposed lockouts had stated that "research has observed grey nurse sharks trailing lures at Fish Rock". Fisho this week received a copy of a NSW Industry & Investment response to a Freedom of Information application that verified that this claim had been based on a phone survey conducted 10 years ago with commercial dive operators working in the area.

Whichever way you look at it, a decade-old phone survey with a bunch of dive charter operators - who more than likely oppose recreational fishing because it gets in the way of their money-making ventures - is not exactly scientifically valid "research" warranting a fishing closure.

The fact that an FOI application was needed to get NSW Fisheries Minister Steve Whan to admit the evidence he is basing his decisions on is spurious in the extreme is a good indication that these proposed fishing closures are more likely an attempt to placate anti-fishing green extremists than they are to protect grey nurse sharks.

A bit off this particular topic, but relevant to whether you decide to believe a minister's words at face value.

I couldn't care less about the 6 weeks interim measure specifically. The bigger picture of the "rust never sleeping" is always a concern though.

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