AMCS backs snapper stock protection

[Shane Boese]

Marine conservation group backs snapper stock protection

Posted Fri Oct 10, 2008 12:48pm AEDT


The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) says it supports a proposal by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to protect snapper stocks.
The DPI says snapper stocks are dangerously low from Bundaberg to northern New South Wales, and there may need to be seasonal fishing closures.
The department also wants to reduce the amount of snapper caught from 760 tonnes each year to 440 tonnes.
The AMCS's campaigns director, Craig Bohm, says the industry must help conserve the resource.
"We think DPI's actions are long overdue but we do support the action," he said.
"We really now call on both the commercial and recreational fishing sectors to support whatever measures are necessary to restore one of south-east Queensland's prized fish species."
But the Queensland Seafood Industry Association (QSIA) says the plans would be a disaster.
QSIA vice-president Robin Hansen says the industry is already reducing its catch.
"I think we had some in-principle agreements with DPI that we would reduce the amount of take," Mr Hansen said.
"The commercial fishery in particular would take a share of that take and it would be regulated on a quota basis.
"There was no arguments from the commercial fishery with the stock assessments that are being done."

[outsiderskip]

dpi cant even get the catch quotas right for the recs
we want no closures but would support increase in size
nothing should be done till after the moreton day marine park happens
that is 15%of the bay95%off the best fishing grounds in the bay
that should help snapper stocks recouperate

pete