Consultation on the latest phase of reforms to the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy closes on 31 January.
Acting Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Yvette D’Ath said public consultation on draft fisheries harvest strategies was open as well as expressions of interest for stakeholders to join fishery working groups.
“Finalising harvest strategies is a key step to enable our fisheries and fishing stakeholders to be ready for new management arrangements on 1 September,” Ms D’Ath said.
“Public consultation has been a key tenet of the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy since the reforms commenced and this is a continuation of that process.”
She said nominations were open for membership of 10 fishery working groups which were integral to delivering world-class fisheries management reforms.
“Fishery working groups provide important operational advice on the management of specific fisheries and serve as an effective communication and consultative forum between fishing stakeholders, Fisheries Queensland and the Government,” the Minister said.
“Fisheries Queensland is seeking a range of stakeholders including commercial and recreational fishers, charter operators, seafood marketers and processors and people with conservation experience to join the fishery working groups.”
She said that under the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy, working group membership was renewed every two years.
“The initial working groups were very effective in narrowing down reform options, developing 13 draft harvest strategies and leveraging operational knowledge and advice from fishing stakeholders,” Ms D’Ath said.
“Two new fishery working groups will review Gulf of Carpentaria inshore and East Coast Spanish mackerel fisheries while the Rocky Reef Working Group will be re-formed to continue its work.”
She said seven other fishery working groups were also being re-formed to continue implementing harvest strategies and to monitor performance.
For nominations to the working groups, feedback on the draft harvest strategies or for a view of the vessel tracking portal the Queensland Agriculture and Fisheries eHub can be accessed at this PS News link.
