MBAA Stand at Tinnie & Tackle Show a Huge Success!!

[Moonlighter]

The MBAA stand at the Tinnie & Tackle Show was a huge success!

* We raised awareness of about the potential impact of the EPA review on fishing in the Bay by directly informing many hundreds, and indirectly many thousands, of people.

* We had around 500 surveys on recreational fishing and boating experiences in the Bay completed for our research project - well above the minimum of 200 we needed for a valid sample. This number will further increase over the next 2 weeks as surveys are returned from Clubs.

* We raised awareness amongst industry and the community about the offshore reefs included in the MBMP area (eg Deep Tempest down through the 35's). Most people were shocked to learn that these offshore reefs are currently within the MBMP boundaries. Who knows what zone they could end up in in future ...

* We raised awareness of the credible and sensible alternatives to green zones that can be implemented to ensure a sustainable future for the Bay - we have advanced the shift in thinking from "targets for green zones" to "the objective is sustainability."

* We helped to debunk myths about increasing pressure on dugongs due to increasing population and boat traffic, and about how many actually die each year from boat strike - less than 3 p.a. for the whole of Qld, in fact.

* Our MBSIA members (professional fishermen) successfully outlined the real facts about commercial fishing in the Bay to many recreational fishers, including efforts to reduce by-catch to nearly 0%, thereby strengthening the bridges between the commercial and recreational sectors

* We received positive feedback and support for our efforts and the approach we are taking from senior state Government officers from the State Development Department and from CEO's in the boating and fishing industries

* Our ANSA reps Jeff and Peter from Bribie Is SFC tagged a couple of hundred bream that were weighed in live and then released for the round of the National Bream Fishing championships that were held at the show, gaining us all more positive publicity for research into sustainability.

The EPA/Moreton Bay Marine Park sent their people down to see what we were doing and to get copies of our survey, and have a chat which was interesting. They said that they had numerous people approach them upset about the possibility of expanded green zones in the MBMP - which was hardly surprising!!

A senior person from GBRMPA also came by to see what we were up to....

I think they were all impressed (maybe I should say challenged?) by the strength of our alliance with all members committed to working as one, and by our commitment to a sustainable future for the Bay based on good science and practical input.

Two added bonuses arising from this event:

1. Dave Downie has asked us to provide our info and do more surveys of recreational anglers at his stand at Sandgate for the festival for the Brisbane to Gladstone race on Good Friday. We'll be there! Hope that Ausfish members come along to complete our survey.

2. We have been invited to a meeting on 10 April organised by Moreton Bay Boat Club at Redcliffe to infor, them about our strategies in relation to the review, and they have also invited the local MLA Lillian van Litzenburg to attend this meeting. They expect around 80 people to attend.

Grant Bennett
Vice Chair, MBAA.

[Jeremy]

Great to see the MBAA taking the message out to the public. I was one of the 500 signatures you got!

I will distribute surveys to our club if you wish to go that way. Jeff and Peter know my contact details, or send me a PM.

Jeremy