queensland At Last Changes To Sip

[rayke1938]

Got this via LAFMA.

 

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries The Honourable Leanne Donaldson

Queensland fishers to benefit from changes to stocked impoundments
Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries
The Honourable Leanne Donaldson

Friday, April 22, 2016

Queensland fishers to benefit from changes to stocked impoundments


Up to an additional 46 Queensland dams, weirs and lakes could soon be part of a scheme that places millions of fingerlings into freshwater impoundments each year.
Fisheries Minister Leanne Donaldson says the expansion of the Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS) will benefit anglers across the state and could help local communities cash-in on the popularity of recreational fishing.
“Freshwater recreational fishing is big in Queensland with approximately 135,000 fishers a year wetting a line and SIPS is a highly successful scheme that helps ensure the sustainability of fish stocks,” the Minister said.
“The 32 impoundments currently in the scheme generate annual revenue of approximately $1 million through the sale of 50,000 fishing permits.
“This income allows stocking groups to restock the impoundments for the next season.
“It is a virtuous circle which brings significant economic activity to local communities.
“The Palaszczuk Government has approved an expansion of the scheme and the changes make an additional 46 dams, weirs and lakes eligible.
“Final consultation will now go ahead on which impoundments stocking groups would like to be included.”
Minister Donaldson said in future stocking groups would be allowed to use some of the funds for projects to enhance recreational fishing in a SIPs impoundment.
“This could be anything from better facilities to research,” the Minister said.
“This will be a great outcome that provides support to community stocking groups in their efforts to boost recreational fishing in regional Queensland .
“It will allow fisheries stocks to grow and prosper. The expansion will generate additional revenue and drive tourism opportunities while encouraging positive recreational fishing practices.”
Minister Donaldson said an extensive consultation process on the scheme was undertaken which found that people were concerned with the fees changing each year.
“We are proposing to fix the permit fees for the next five years rather than adjusting every year for inflation,” Minister Donaldson said.
Every person over the age of 18 fishing in a SIPS impoundment will need to have their own individual SIPS permit, unless they are only targeting crayfish.

ENDS


Apparently a meeting with FFSAQ on friday to sort out some issues and some groups wish to withdraw I do n0t know any more details. But at least something is moving forward after years on nothing much happening and numerous delays.
Envisaged that will come into effect from July next year.

Cannot come soon enough for a few stocking assns who have been really struggling since previous  funding cuts .

Wonder if there will be an increase in permit fees ?
Cheers
Ray

[Terrova]

Thanks for posting this Ray.

I would think an increase in permit fees would definitely be considered. 

I doubt too many people would complain about a reasonable increase either. i know I won't! :-) 

 

[Binder]

yeah yeah yeah, more lip service, they have had enough information to do it for 3 or 4 years.

[rayke1938]

34 minutes ago, Binder said:

yeah yeah yeah, more lip service, they have had enough information to do it for 3 or 4 years.

At least something is happening  good to see the new minister is carrying on with Bill Byrnes commitment . I was worried that she would conveniently forget about it,and changes to the salt also in the pipeline. with work progressing on both Hervey Bay and Moreton Bay net free zones.

Cheers

Ray