Andrew Laming ensures more fish in the sea

[Shane Boese]

Written by Release from Australian Government
Sunday, 25 February 2007
Local anglers will have the Federal Government to thank for their gracious catches, following a $130 000 grant announced Thursday by Federal Member for Bowman, Andrew Laming. Mr Laming said he is ecstatic that Moreton Bay fishermen will have science on their side when casting their lures.
"This vital funding and will ensure fishermen, tourists and families will all reap the benefits of an ecologically stable and thriving Moreton Bay Marine Park," Mr Laming said.
"This huge injection from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) will allow scientists to finally understand the impact of fishing on the Bay.
"The research will be threefold and will assess the bay's threats, viability and develop a management plan.
"If we can understand the Bay's marine ecosystem then we can ensure its survival for many years to come.
"And that means more fish and more fun on the Bay," Mr Laming said.
Mr Laming has been working hard over the past year to ensure results for Redland fisherman and to guarantee a strong Redland voice in Moreton Bay Marine Park zoning decisions. "Until my fishing forum in August last year, local anglers were locked out of the State's ten year Marine Park zoning review," Mr Laming said.
"The success of the fishing forum has resulted in seven places at the rezoning discussion table secured for Redlanders and hopefully a neutral Chairperson.
"My goal is to preserve access for all groups willing to commit to sustainable Bay activities," Mr Laming said.
Mr Laming said he will fight for federal support to clean up Redland waterways.
"I won't sit around watching the State Government implement wholesale fishing closures while the greater challenge of polluted waterways remains unaddressed or unfunded," he said.
The Queensland Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) announced the Moreton Bay Zoning Plan would be reviewed this year and this federal research grant will establish the common reference point and document for this review.
"Industry and community groups have identified that basic scientific fact is needed to ensure a rigorous and evidence-based approach is taken to the review," Mr Laming said.
"This investigation will build upon the large bank of research that has been previously undertaken to assist areas planning for Marine Park reviews.
"The project is all about ensuring that the Queensland Government and affected stakeholders have the necessary information available to strike a sensible balance between sustainable fishing and conservation in the upcoming review of the Moreton Bay Marine Park," Mr Laming said.

[Shane Boese]

I have known Andrew for some time now and he has become a personal friend and it is great to see that he is taking the much needed time to do something to help the local anglers when it comes to Moreton Bay. Lets hope that the info gained from this research shows that the bay is in good shape and that we do not need the 30 to 50 % closures as claimed by the AMCS.

Regards
Shane Boese

[Greg P]

Good stuff Shane

[seatime]

Thanks Shane,

Keep up the good work Andrew, as a Redlands resident my family and I appreciate your efforts.

[Ozwald]

So any chance of the Qld Govt coming up with matching funding? OK so thats a bit of a stupid question!
Although its fantastic news to see that some effort is going towards developing a proper scientific basis for management, I dont think $130,000 will go too far.
Apologies if this is apparent in your previous posting but who is undertaking the research and have you had a chance to look at their terms of reference?

[Matt_Campbell]

I just heard that Andrew Lamings office was raided by federal police. Anyone aware of the nature of the offences committed if any?

[kc]

Something to do with federal allowances getting used to produce printed matter for the state election...that's how its coming across. 3 Liberal Federal MP's all using the same printer.

Might be much to do about nothing....no doubt both sides have ammo to throw as the election year builds.

[Shane_78]

Word is Darryl McPhee is heading up the research. No idea who he is but if it means more places for me to fish then so be it

[Darryl]

I know who Darryl McPhee is. He is married to the Seafood Industry chick Kelly Williams! Does this mean that those commercial bastards are going to be getting even more of our fish? When are they going to get out of the bay and leave it the simple bloke who just wants to hook a catch for his dinner? I thought Andrew was doing this reserach for us recreational fishers????

[Shane_78]

Andrew wouldn't do that to us Darryl. He is definately on the recreational fishers side... Isn't he? (someone please back me up)

[Matt_Campbell]

A very cynical view Darryl. Darryl McPhee is a highly regarded scientist at UQ. Are you suggesting that he will bias his results in favour of the commercial fishers, sacrificing his scientific integrity? If you are, shame on you!

[Daryl McPhee]

Hi ya,

First I'm not married to Kellie Williams. My wife can vouch for this.

In terms of the research, it is funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (www.frdc.com.au) and it was initiated by the Moreton Bay Access Alliance. This group is made up of commercial, recreational and indigenous fishing interests and the most prominent recreational industry member is Bruce Alvey.

I am leading the technical aspects of the research in recognition of my research credentials but also the hands on knowledge I have of recreational and commercial fishing in the Bay. In terms of recreational fishing I have been a club fishermen for over 20 years and have won numerous fishing competitions, the last of which being the 1st Round of the South Queensland Light Gear Fishing Championships held at Bribie. I was also a presenter on Channel 7s Creek to Coast and did stories on rec fishing around various parts of the Bay.

My research is always objective but the brief bio should demonstrate that I am not out "to get" recreational fishers in Moreton Bay.

Dazza

[Derek Bullock]

Hi ya,

First I'm not married to Kellie Williams. My wife can vouch for this.

In terms of the research, it is funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (www.frdc.com.au) and it was initiated by the Moreton Bay Access Alliance. This group is made up of commercial, recreational and indigenous fishing interests and the most prominent recreational industry member is Bruce Alvey.

I am leading the technical aspects of the research in recognition of my research credentials but also the hands on knowledge I have of recreational and commercial fishing in the Bay. In terms of recreational fishing I have been a club fishermen for over 20 years and have won numerous fishing competitions, the last of which being the 1st Round of the South Queensland Light Gear Fishing Championships held at Bribie. I was also a presenter on Channel 7s Creek to Coast and did stories on rec fishing around various parts of the Bay.

My research is always objective but the brief bio should demonstrate that I am not out "to get" recreational fishers in Moreton Bay.

Dazza

Hi Dazza and welcome to Ausfish.

I look forward to updates as things progress along. This is mighty important for Moreton Bay and from what I can see the MBAA is best placed to put a sensible approach forward on sustainable fishing for all in Moreton Bay.

Regards


Derek

[Daryl McPhee]

Thanks Derek,

The Moreton Bay Marine Park rezoning is obviously an important issue and I think the MBAA are in an excellent position to establish and progress a well considered position on the rezoning.

Dazza

[Moonlighter]

Thanks to Daryl for setting the record straight - I'm sure his wife will be glad to know he's still married to her, and Kellie's fiance' is no doubt also greatly relieved!

IMPORTANT: How recreational anglers can help the MBAA research project:


The research project Daryl is leading for MBAA is about to get underway, and as has been mentioned on other discussion items in this forum, one of the big gaps in available and up to date knowledge concerns the value and benefits to the community of recreational fishing in Moreton Bay. As they say, Knowledge = Power so we need to get the data.

As part of our efforts to address this gap in data and knowledge, MBAA will have a stand at the upcoming Brisbane Tinnie & Tackle show to be held at the RNA showgrounds from 30 March to 1 April 2007. Daryl advises us that his research team will have a recreational fishing and boating survey ready by then, and its vitally important that as many rec fishers as possible take the time to stop by, complete the survey and help us with this research.

We hope to see you all there.

Who is the FRDC and why did they fund the MBAA Project
The FRDC is one of 15 rural research and development corporations and
companies. The FRDC is co-funded by its stakeholders, the Australian Government and the fishing industry. The Corporation invests strategically across all of Australia in research and development (R&D) activities that benefit all three sectors of the fishing industry - commercial (wild catch and aquaculture), recreational and customary. The FRDC's goal is for Australia's fisheries to be both
sustainably managed and profitable.

MBAA is grateful for FRDC's support for this project, and we are confident that the result will be a soundly researched proposal that will be supported by all sectors. We are aiming to achieve a win-win solution for all stakeholders, a big ask I know but you have to aim high!

Info about MBAA and the research project.
We are happy to answer any questions forum members may have concerning our activities, and the best way to do this is to e-mail your questions to mbaa@biaq.com.

If we can we we will respond directly to you, or if there are common questions being asked, we will put a post up here on the Ausfish chat boards.

Regards

Grant Bennett
Deputy Chair, MBAA
(I represent rec anglers and boaters on MBAA and am a long term member of Redlands Boat Club, Cleveland)