26 September 2023

Reformed fisheries to take a new angle

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The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has foreshadowed a range of reforms to fisheries, clarifying commercial fishing rules and reporting requirements for fishers while making the fisheries and the industry more sustainable.

Deputy Director-General of Fisheries Queensland, Graeme Bolton said there had been input from fishery working groups on the changes and the Sustainable Fisheries Expert Panel and other stakeholders had also been involved.

“From 1 September new harvest strategies and rules will apply to a number of fisheries, bringing the total number of fisheries in Queensland under harvest strategy management to 15,” Mr Bolton said.

He said the fisheries were: Blue swimmer crab; mud crab; coral; marine aquarium fish; east coast inshore; sea cucumber; trawl fin fish (stout whiting); northern, central, southern inshore, southern offshore and Moreton Bay trawl; and tropical rock lobster.

“Harvest strategies help us track the performance of the fishery over time to give an accurate picture of stock status, along with social and economic performance, to guide small, regular adjustments to ensure long-term ecological and economic sustainability,” Mr Bolton said.

“Underlying the harvest strategies is a program of improved monitoring and stock assessments to monitor the performance of our fisheries,” he said.

“This enables smaller and more regular management action to be taken when required.”

He said there would also be a mix of new, revised or existing catch limits beginning with the new harvest strategies, minor legislative amendments to clarify fishing rules and new reporting requirements.

“Combined with changes to recreational fishing that commenced in September 2019, these changes will help deliver sustainable, high-value fisheries and fishing experiences,” Mr Bolton said.

The Sustainable Fisheries Strategy 2017-2027 can be accessed at this PS News link and further information on harvest strategies at this link.

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