Business Fear Marine Park

[Derek Bullock]

Article from:


BRIBIE ISLAND: Business will bear the brunt of proposed changes to fishing rules, say business owners who serve recreational anglers.
Tackle Inn owner Keith Williams expects his Bribie Island shop's gross turnover to drop 30 percent if the proposed changes to Moreton Bay Marine Park zonings and rules are implemented.
Mr Williams, pictured, was among about 20 business owners at Toorbul last week at a meeting arranged by the Save Our Passage (SOP) group.
``I'm getting people now saying they're not coming back to Bribie Island if they can't use more than one line. I've never seen so much reaction to one proposal,'' Mr Williams said.
``Five families this week asked where they can fish and can they only use one line.''
Toorbul Store and Tavern owner Mark Higham expected a 20-30 percent fall in turnover because anglers would stay away.
Mr Higham said restocking the Passage would be a better option.
SOP spokesman John Hall said he knew the changes would hurt businesses but he had no idea how much until the meeting. He calculated that each fish caught by recreational anglers put $47.60 into the economy.
The meeting passed a resolution asking for compensation from the State Government for business losses and agreed to support mayoral candidates who opposed the changes.
SOP objects to the proposed extension of the green, no fishing zone, near Tripcony Bight, and one-line-per-angler limit.
Where mayoral candidates stand:
Bryan Galvin: I do not support the changes. There needs to be a lot more public consultation.
Peter Houston: The closures have not been based on scientific research. The fisherman of this region deserve a better reason.
Joy Leishman: Further consultation with the local recreational fishing community and residents of the Moreton Bay region must be undertaken.
John McNaught: I support the majority of amendments (because) we will not have any fish to catch unless steps are taken. I support the Toorbul Action Group's submission and believe a compromise can be found.
Allan Sutherland: I oppose many of the proposed changes and Redcliffe Council has submitted a detailed response to government.

[Lucky_Phill]

thanks Derek.

Just hope the Courier Mail reports more of these types of news worthy stories instead of the one side they have been pushing.

" Mr Higham said restocking the Passage would be a better option. "

Better option for what.... it is not the " apparent " reduced fish stocks that are the issue. That is NOT the answer. The fish stocks in the Passage are good and are sustainable. DPI&F studies have shown. Even the EPA ( pillians ) has shown the stocks are good.

Although, having said that, I do agree with increased stocking operations in Nursery Systems, but those systems have to be supported by the EPA in-so-far as clean water and reduced mangrove destruction.

Phill

[BrewGuru]

I suspect the Bait & Tackle shop at Margate will suffer a huge drop in income if the EPA get there way, in front of Shorncliffe, Green Zone, Bramble Bay, Green Zone
Woody Point, Green Zone not too much left!