Next Government move to lock out fishing!

[samsnap]

ALL BOATIES SHOULD READ THE BELOW & LOOK CAREFULLY AT THE LINKS/WEBSITES LISTED.
This is a copy of the latest email I have reveived from DEWHA re: The East Marine Bioregional Plan - If you are concerned about Green Zones now - then you should read this carefully & make your noise NOW!>:( You should also contact Martin Russell (who's details are at the end of this post ) & ask to be added to the Mailing list & to be sent the outline & information on the Plan. This has been kept on the quite and not for general public release. So us poor old fisho's will not make a noise or a stance to have our side heard. Spread this to as many people as you can. Anyone who is more apt at sorting this out & taking a more proactive stance please feel free to take up the cause - otherwise sell your boats now people:'( .
Sammy xx

November 2009
environment.gov.au/coasts/mbp
EAST BIOREGION PLANNING NEWSLETTER FOR STAKEHOLDERS
East Bioregional Planning
The Australian Government’s Marine Bioregional Plans are currently being developed for each of Australia’s five marine regions (figure 1). The East Marine Bioregion covers waters from the eastern side of Cape York to just north of the New South Wales-Victoria border, as well as the waters around Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island. It only applies to Commonwealth waters (area of the ocean from around 3 to 200 nautical miles offshore). The East Marine Bioregion includes the Coral Sea Conservation Zone. It does not include the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park or the Torres Strait.
1. East Marine Bioregional Profile
2. Areas for Further Assessment
3. Draft East Marine Bioregional Plan
4. Final East Marine Bioregional Plan

Figure 1. Australia’s Marine Regions
The East Bioregional planning process involves four key stages:
environment.gov.au/coasts/mbp
• The first stage of the planning process has been completed with the release of the East Marine Bioregional Profile on 19 May 2009. The Profile includes detailed information about the key habitats, species, natural processes, conservation and heritage values, and human uses. The profile is available at: www. environment.gov.au/coasts/mbp/publications/ east/bioregional-profile.html
• Since the release of the Profile three regional assessment workshops have been held in Cairns, Sydney and Brisbane. There have also been numerous meetings with key stakeholders. Summaries from the workshops are available at: www.environment.gov.au/ coasts/mbp/publications/east/index.html
• "Areas for Further Assessment" will be released for consultation in soon. These areas are not proposed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Rather these are areas in which more detailed information about stakeholders’ uses, values and interests, including fine scale fishing data, will be gathered to assist in determining the most appropriate areas for MPAs.
• Areas for Further Assessment were identified through the application of the Goals and Principles for the establishment of Marine Reserves in Commonwealth waters. This included using existing scientific data and internationally recognised methods of reserve design. The goals and principles can viewed at www.environment.gov.au/coasts/mbp/ publications/general/goals-nrsmpa.html
• In October 2009, Minister Garrett agreed to a six month extension to the planning process for the East Region. This extension will extend the period for consultation in developing the draft Marine Bioregional Plan.
• The Draft East Marine Bioregional Plan is now due in mid 2010. The final Plan is due to be completed by end 2010.
• When the Draft Plan is released mid 2010, the Department will conduct a statutory consultation (minimum 60 days).
• The consultation process will involve targeted meetings with representative organisations, information sessions and a public submission process.
The Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) has appointed Martin Russell as the East Marine Region Liaison Officer. Martin is based in Brisbane and is assisting the planning team to effectively engage with stakeholders by working closely with them during the planning process.
Martin can be contacted on email: Martin.Russell@environment.gov.au mobile 0409 345 017.
MAR18.1109

[samsnap]

bumped back to the top - to keep you lot in the loop!

[fanplastico]

I had a fairly quick look. I don't see huge cause for alarm - am I missing something ? Seems the bottom line in regards rec fishos is that they don't have much data for this region but suggest that rec fishing has a significant input into local economies - which is good. From my understanding the region in question is federal territory outside state boundaries which means it only applies to commercial & rec fishos who go out beyond state waters, which is probably the minority.

Sammy, what is your specific concern ? I would like to know so that I can try & do something about it - well as much as any individual can.

Les

[Chris Ryan]

Hey Sammy,

There is a potential isue coming with this. If the Commonwealth decide more green zones come through in this review then we have to be watchful some State Governments don't try and sneak some 'sympathetic' closurers in like they did for GBR zoning. The major problem is though with the inshore closures boaties (and charter and pro) are being pushed further out but if the Commonwealth close from 3nm out down, it will drastically restrict every sectors ability to go fishing.

We already heard from a prominent state public servant at a conference recently saying get used to the idea of more green zones..........

The biggest issue fanplastico is what science do they have (very little already admitted) so they won't be using science to backup any zoning. Are they locking things away under the 'precautionary principle' under pressure from wealthy connected environment groups?

Either way, the East Coast region affects QLD & NSW but the zoning extends all the way around the country. In some respects there is a chance that most of Commonwealth waters will be closed in some shape (greens are pushing for 30% minimum). Am I concerned.......absolutely.

[Moonlighter]

Aldready I'm very concerned about this. Word is that the Govt intends to have green zones covering at least 30% and anyone that fishes offshore from Bundaberg thru at least Coffs Harbour needs to be very concerned about this.>:(

Also, the comment in the release re the methodology I think refers to the software developed by Hugh Possingham at UQ "marxam" which they claim as the best way to design marine park zones to meet targets that have been set. Same software used in GBRMPA and Moreton Bay.:o :o

All I can say is watch out!!!! And get ready to bend over....... Its not going to be pretty.:-[ :-[

ML

[samsnap]

Thank you both for your reply & information - I was starting to get a bit concerned on this as so many views and no replys. What you have both said is very true & factual. It is basically from where the state & commonwealth water meet - from the low tide mark to 3 nautical miles out (is State waters) & beyond that is where this plan comes in(Federal/Commonwealth Waters). This takes in( for us Brisbane locals), from the Moreton Bay marine Park boundary out 200 nautical miles. When it is passed there will be made several more marine parks within the proposed area - (NO FISH ZONES). These Bio-regional plans are being passed all around Australia & the same rules apply. PLEASE do not sit on your hands again and think someone else will do something - just like Nemo when in the net - swim down - together we can make a difference - but it will take every single one of us! It will not stop here - further plans are already on the drawing board to lock us out. PASS THIS ON! MAKE EVERYONE AWARE.
Sammy xx

[murf]

correct me if I am wrong but down here in the Solitary Islands MP we have no take zones and habitat protection zones out past the 3NM limit (out off Sandon River)

to every one doing something about these new rules keep up the fight and a big thanks for me as an Australian :)

cheers Murf

[Moonlighter]

Murf

I don't know the Solitary Is Marine Park in any detail so am unsure if its a "state" marine park or Commonwealth. But assuming its a State Park, they can have green zones that go out out past 3nm if the State waters boundary goes out past the 3nm limits, which it sometimes does.

How? Because of the way the law treats islands and other features on the coast - we have the same thing here in Qld where the Moreton Bay Marine Park goes out beyond the 3nm line off Moreton Island - this is because the state border is drawn in a straight line from Pt Lookout thru to Cape Moreton instead of following the 3nm line. Consequently we have a couple of green zones that go further than 3nm out east from the closest coastline.

Cheers

ML

PS Sammy - say hello to Capt Grumpyincredible for me!

[murf]

http://www.mpa.nsw.gov.au/simp-map-01.html

just had a look at that link and it does not show what I was referring too ::) typical Marine Parks, how are we ever supposed to know what we are not allowed to do???


this link is also different to the book I have in front of me ::) Pimpernel Rock is what I am referring too, also all around Pimpernel is a habitat protection zone in my book

http://www.mpa.nsw.gov.au/pdf/SIMP-Zoning-Summary-Maps.pdf

[samsnap]

:-/ More info :-.



For those fishing closure skeptics out there, here are seven quick staements to test your faith.

1. Bioregional planning is in Commonwealth waters only. It won’t affect me.
Wrong! If you fish offshore in waters 30 metres deep or over you are probably in Commonwealth waters. (The 30 metre depth contour is approximately 3 nautical miles from shore.)
2. The Government and DEWHA wouldn’t be game to close huge areas in South East Queensland to fishing.
Wrong! Look at the 30% closures in GBRMP and 17 % closures through the MBMP.
3. The Government and DEWHA will consult fully to minimise economic and social impacts.
Wrong! Only three stakeholder meetings have been held so far, one each in Cairns, Brisbane and Sydney. These meetings were only held to identify “conservation values”. Stakeholders were instructed not to discuss economic or social impacts of MPAs.
4. DEWHA has good local knowledge on which to base their decisions.
Wrong! The DEWHA team conducting the Eastern Bioregional Planning Process is based in Hobart, Tasmania. Not too local is it?
5. I’ll get my say when the AFFAs (Areas for further Assessment) are released.
Wrong! The formal consultation period does not begin until after the release of the Draft plan in 2010.
6. Peter Garrett, the DEWHA Minister, will do everything in his power to minimise the social and economic impacts on fishers and their families caused by Bioregional Planning.
I think you can answer this question yourselves.
7. If my fishing areas aren’t in Green Zones I won’t be affected.
Wrong! All the recreational and professional fishermen who have lost their grounds have to go somewhere. Your fishing patch will get overcrowded from this “displaced effort”. Look at the overcrowding of Cape Moreton reefs since the MBMP closures of Shallow Tempest, Hendersons, Flat Rock and other shallow reefs.

For further information please go to http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/mbp/east/index.html (http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/mbp/east/index.html)
Please contact Phillip Boxall, Director, Temperate East Marine Conservation, directly by phone (03 6208 2911) or by email (Phillip.Boxall@environment.gov.au) if you wish to discuss the Eastern Bioregional Planning Process further.

You may be unpleasantly surprised.

More reading :-


This is available on http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/mbp/east/index.html (http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/mbp/east/index.html)
Ask the question- is my fishery accurately described in this document?

This is the topic under "Resources"

Description of commercial, recreational and charter fishing activities in the East Marine Region (http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/mbp/publications/east/fishing-activities.html)

My answer is a resounding "NO!" But make up your own mind.
:'(
Sammyx

[Sarge06]

Now I'm as unhappy about losing fishing spots as the next fisho (all for bag and size limits), problem it seems here is that there is no definitive answer at this stage on what is going to happen with the zones - ie green, yellow etc.

I have had a bit of read of this and for those interested I've attached the link to the fact sheet: (I know I read more when it's easier to access).

http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/mbp/publications/pubs/mbp.pdf

It seems that there will be a public consultation period for 60 days once the plans are put forth in there more specific details. Being a gov employee and having arranged and participated in these type of affairs I know that if enough noise is made you can be heard.

So as our mate Sammy is saying, get in have a look and when the time comes jump on board with some comments. It may even be an idea to get together a standard response that fishos can grab, change some of the minor details and then submit. That way I guess we can really focus on the points and area's that we're not happy about and really hammer it home.

Any thoughts?...

Cheers,

Sarge

[NEWBY]

I will say this until I am blue in the face...
WE FISH
WE VOTE
Make a difference at the poles...
Join/donate/have a say/ go to meetings of any and all groups/political parties that you can....In numbers, we (Australians who love the outdoor lifestyle) far outweigh the GREENS or any other "over the top" conservation group... And I mean far outweigh.... But we only care about our own back yard, they spaek as a whole....Get it together or lose it...