Commercial Pipi Harvesting

[straddie]

DPI have recieved multiple aplications for permits to commercially harvest pipis and other shell fish along the southern Queensland coast.

http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb/7653.html

Of the 2 applications already recieved one is wanting to harvest 10 tonnes and the other 16 tonnes per year.

There is NO RESEARCH whatsoever behind these applications and the fisheries sustainability is unknown as well as its possible impact on fish species which are dependant on these shellfish for food. The other areas where pipi collection has occured commercially in NSW and SA has seen stocks collapse within a short period of time. This will be a gold rush at the prices they are getting for pipis at the moment and by the time they work out whether it is sustainable will be too late. Have your say folkes,

Please submit written comments to DPI&F Fisheries Resource Management, GPO Box 46, Brisbane Qld 4001 by COB Friday 8 August 2008.

[Atriplex]

Thanks for putting this up. I think it's ridiculous how the government sanctions so many projects without doing any environmental studies. It should be mandatory to investigate before doing anything with regards to the environment

[reelchippy]

Well we all know this can only go ahead because it the .cheers

[Far side]

Pipis on north stradbroke yeah right
We were flat out getting 5 last week
The year before there were millions. Where have they all gone

[Lucky_Phill]

I have made my reply. Feel free to utilize any part of my letter in your submission:-

DPI&F
Fisheries Resource Management

RE:- Developmental pipi and bivalve mollusk fishery in Southern Queensland



To whom,

I make this submission in respect of the above matter as a recreational fisherman and therefore a stakeholder in the proposed developmental fishery.

I am gravely concerned about the permits being issued and in particular the tonnage being requested.

I would like to know how much scientific research has been conducted on this and in that research, what flow on effects have been established ? These Molluscs are in a primary food chain and I can see if this tonnage was removed from the fishery for any reason, that food chain will be severely undermined. Further, with a “ Commercial “ operation removing the Molluscs, in particular pipi’s, what amount of beach degradation is envisaged ?

Just because a fishery has been identified as a proposed profitable commercial operation , does not mean that it should be taken advantage of. What market has been identified that is in need of such a resource ? Too many fisheries have been developed in the past with Commercial Profitability in mind as opposed to preserving the environment and assisting in the sustainability of that fishery. The Spotted Mackerel Ring Netting is a prime example of dollars taking precedent over commonsense. That decision had enormous impacts on fisheries much further afield than Hervey Bay and thankfully commonsense prevailed in the end with the ceasing of Ring Netting. The Spotted Mackerel fishery has basically recovered for the betterment of commercial and recreational interests.

I strongly urge you to think hard and long about permitting commercial interests to take advantage of a fishery that has no or limited scientific data confirming such an activity will create no flow on side effects to other fisheries or impact on the environment encompassing it.

I am also concerned about the permits in respect to policing the tonnage. What quotas can be guaranteed 100% and is there any option for permit holders to trade in a “ Black Market “. With all due respect applied, there is a very aggressive market for these Molluscs in the Asian Restaurant and Food Industries, particularly here in South East Queensland.

No new Commercial Fishery should be established in this day and age without full funding available for policing , substantial monetary fines and property forfeiture laws, environmental and fishery impact studies by independent scientists, EPA approvals, stakeholder submissions, public awareness campaign and educational programs for the general public and the intended permit holders.

Please forward to me any and all scientific data collected in relation to this matter or provide me with an internet link to the site / pages in question.



Regards

[TimiBoy]

Thanks for that response, Phill. It's very un-Greenie, in that it's balanced, and asking real questions about the basis and depth of research into viability and outcomes.

Cheers,

Tim

[BGG]

All
As I have stated in my letter to DPI&F ,
I am at odds to understand why the EPA is proposing to restrict fishing in many parts of Moreton Bay to protect the marine life and we now have a proposal being publicised by DPI&F to slaughter a vital part of the marine food chain.

Also some interesting reading at
http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/asse...ockle_2003.pdf

[straddie]

This was put together by waldo over at BFO and not only explains some of the reasons why these harvest permits should not be granted but was also put together to be a form letter for anyone to print out, sign and send into DPI.



+++++++++++++Please submit written comments to DPI&F Fisheries Resource Management, GPO Box 46, Brisbane Qld 4001 by COB Friday 8 August 2008.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



I would like to formally lodge my objection to any permits being issued for developmental fishing for bivalve molluscs (Order Bivalvia), including pipis (Donax deltoides), from ocean beaches and waters along the southern Queensland coastline.

The common pipi is currently harvested by recreational fishermen for bait, and predated upon by pied oyster eaters, rays and crabs, as well as being eaten by a wide range of local fishes as well as schools of spawning migratory fish. It's consumption in aboriginal ceremony for millenia is also well documented.

Anecdotal evidence has shown that the North Stradbroke Island population of pipis reached a peak in app 2003, the reason for which is unknown. These numbers had not been previously seen in the repondants memory with over 30 years experience on the island.

Being a filter feeder pipis are susceptable to absorbing various toxins making them a potential hazard to humans if consumed, with New South Wales fisheries having banned the eating of them.

Naturally high mortalities and a susceptability to high fresh water flows leaves them open to large swings in numbers. Mass mortalities have been observed in South Australia under a number of circumstances such as flooding and prolonged periods of warm calm weather. With global warming an increasing influence on our weather extremes like the above may well become the norm.

In NSW the Stockton beach pipi fishery has collapsed to less than 15% of its previous volumes and South Australian fisheries has been forced to introduce quotas for Goolwa cockles (pipi) following widespread concern about the future of stocks. A November 2000 report by ABC Landline contained information that "a cockle fishery in Florida fished out all its stocks with in a season when it introduced mechanical harvesting. Legend has it those stocks never returned" showing how delicate some pipi populations may be.

The Pied Oystercatcher although considered Federally to be 'secure' is listed as 'vulnerable' in NSW. This somewhat shy bird is heavily dependant on pipis as a food source, so much so that it carries th name pipi or eugarie bird in some areas. An Autralian Museum fact sheet quotes "Pied Oystercatchers have probably declined throughout much of their range and the current population may be as low as 10,000" "The distribution and abundance of oystercatchers was correlated with several variables including the density and length of Pipis...." suggesting a reduction in the number of pipis could negatively impact this vulnerable species.

Migratory fish species going or returning from spawning areas move into gutters and feed upon pipis in what is otherwise a very barren habitat. Tailor, bream, whiting, flathead and tarwhine are just a few of the fish which consume pipis at these times.

Pipis have been traditionally gathered by the local Quandamooka people for thousands of years as can be witnessed by their ancient middens. Today the pipi is still gathered and used by the traditional owners and custodians for traditional purposes which could be impeded should harvesting reduce their numbers. As such I would believe it is unlikely that ALL of the traditional stake holders been informed and given their consent for such a fishery to take place.

To grant these permits could potentially not only put the pipi population of south east queensland in jeopardy but also
damage the tourism potential of some areas
effect local fishers
damage the pied oystereater population
put at risk the breeding potential of a number bread and butter fish species.
damage the sacred practices of traditional owners and custodians

Without supporting research to establish stocks and sustainable yeilds it could only be considered questionable and unprofessional practice to grant such permits.


Yours Sincerely,

SIGN HERE
Name
Adress
Phone

Sources - some duplication may occur
NSW fisheries

SA fisheries

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

NSW Fisheries Research Institute

austmus.gov.au

sa.gov.au

abc.net.au

archaeology.arts.uwa.edu.au

Grants Guide to Fishes

Qld DPI

publish.csiro.au


Source of quoted "" examples from above in order,
abc.net.au/landline/stories/s215261.htm

austmus.gov.au/factsheets/pied_oystercatcher.htm

publish.csiro.au/paper/MU01053

[Chris Ryan]

Excellent letters both. I have my submission going in tomorrow.

This just show the right hand and the left hand have no idea within this Government. Close off fishing in Moreton for "sustainability" then the DPI&F come out with a grand idea about smashing a vital part of the ecology and food chain with this garbage.

It beggars belief!
Chris

[maztez]

As Chris said excellent letters both and I thank both authors for their guidence in this matter. I intend to use them as a submission to the govt.
cheers Terry

[straddie]

Just a reminder for anyone that is concerned with this issue, objections need to be in by close of business Friday.

[ManiaK]

Hi Guys,
There actually is a fair amount of research been done on Pipis, mostly in South Australia some in NSW. The NSW industry has all but collapsed due to overharvesting by commercials. It is very hard to find even one Pipi on any of the beaches like Stockton where there used to be absolutely millions as far as you could see. Now none!!.
There has been serious concerns about stock collapses in the Goolwa Pipi fishery in SA as well.
Harvest areas have to be classified and a biotoxin plan set up to monitor for posionous algae and they are subject to the same shellfish harvesting regulations as oysters (depuration etc)
I would be very wary about allowing this and especially the multi fisher license where multiple fishers can work under one license.
ManiaK