G'day All,


Mike Horan sent me a copy of the following in response to the emails I have sent him


Cheers


Rhys





10 December 2007

Mulherin sidelined on Moreton Bay fishing bans

Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin has been sidelined in the review of the Moreton Bay Marine Park with the Environmental Protection Agency taking control of fishing bans, the Queensland Coalition said today.

Shadow Fisheries Minister Mike Horan said the Queensland Labor Government's Moreton Bay Zoning Plan could devastate fishing and boating industries and inflict more financial pain than anticipated.

"The marine park zoning needs to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the natural environment and marine life, and allowing families to go fishing on weekends and commercial operators to catch fresh local seafood for the people of south-east Queensland," he said.

"Only last year, the Fisheries Minister released a status report saying Queensland's fisheries, including in Moreton Bay, were 'in a healthy state' (Media Release, 6 June 2006).

"The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI & F) has been managing the fisheries in Moreton Bay through closures, catch limits, and trawl reductions but it appears they have been shipwrecked with the EPA now taking over."

Mr Horan said the Cabinet submission on the Moreton Bay rezoning was meant to be a joint submission between State Development, DPI & F and EPA, but ended up being driven solely by the EPA.

"The decision on Moreton Bay is too important to too many people and too many industries to be based on environmental extremism," he said.

"The Moreton Bay Access Alliance put together a scientific, evidence based submission that aimed to provide very real protection to all of the habitat areas listed in the zoning review guidelines.

"I would urge the Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister to take notice of the views of experts, and the people who have been fishing the Bay sustainably for years. It's time for the Fisheries Minister to stand up for the people he represents."

Media Contact - Mike Horan 0418 982 271