Moreton Bay a recreational fishing haven?

Queenslanders love their fishing. It has been estimated that over 800,000 Queenslanders go fishing each year, spending around $1 billion in doing so. The economic worth generated by recreational fishing in Queensland is greater than that for many other sectors of the economy, including commercial fishing which has an estimated value of around $300 million a year.

Queensland’s recreational fisheries are well managed. However, Keep Australia Fishing wants to make them better, The fishing lobby group says it wants to make them world class.

Keep Australia Fishing supports The Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) proposal to establish a network of recreational fishing havens in Queensland, starting with Moreton Bay.

If implemented this proposal will significantly increase the benefits to all Queenslanders from recreational fishing for years to come. The proposal will establish a new paradigm for developing the experiences and opportunities of recreational fishing in Queensland and with it the significant benefits recreational fishing brings to the State.

AFTA proposes that these initiatives be implemented through a partnership between the Government and the Recreational fishing community.

Keep Australia Fishing says that the first initiative is to establish Moreton Bay as a world-class recreational fishing haven as the first stage in developing a network of recreational fishing havens in the State. This will see the fisheries of the Bay managed first and foremost to maximise the benefits of recreational fishing. This means that commercial fishing and other activities that have an unsustainable impact on our key fisheries, impact on important and sensitive marine habitat or result in localised depletion of key recreational fishing species close to shore or recreational fishing access points will be appropriately curtailed or removed.

Other areas to be considered for the network of recreational fishing havens include Cape York, the Great Sandy Straits, Hinchinbrook Channel, Keppel Bay and Mackay.

The second initiative is to increase the recognition of recreational fishing with Government and the broader community. Recreational fishing is not just about managing fish stocks. Its equally about managing, protecting and improving the marine environment; recognising the significant business community, including fishing, boating, tourism and accommodation, trade and services; and recognising the education and health benefits.

Keep Australia Fishing proposes the following:
>> Appoint a Minister responsible for recreational fishing, recognising the significant economic contribution and the broad range of cross portfolio issues.
>> Ensure all relevant legislation appropriately recognises recreational fishing and the significant outcomes achieved by managing for recreational fishing.
>> Overhaul the way the recreational fishing community engages with the Government by facilitating the development of a peak body that represents the interests of recreational fishers, fishing trade, boating and other relevant sectors of the recreational fishing community.
>> Appropriately fund recreational fishing representation and engagement with Government.

For more information go to: www.keepaustraliafishing.com.au