New Queensland Fisheries Advisory Committee (QFAC)

[TheRealAndy]

For those who have not seen the press release, look here:

http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/mms/St....aspx?id=71579

You read it correct, a board of 11 members, including the chair:

1 charter rep.
1 science rep.
1 green rep (WWF)
1 indigenous rep.
4 pro reps.
2 rec reps (one previously paid by qld gov).

Chair is a public servant.

Bias toward pro??

[samson]

i wouldn't say bias theres different commercial licences and you can't pigeon hole them the netters and trawlers often in their fight for what they want do it at the expense of the line operaters so i think more would be needed to represent the different licence holders if anything i'd say there's one too many rec reps.

[rayken1938]

No representation for the freshwater recos.
Cheers
Ray.

[Angla]

That's a surprise from the Queensland government. What sort of oceans area do they oversee as far as fisheries goes. Is it just a 3 nautical mile limit or is it more extensive with a voice towards a federal government planning committee. Would you predict this to be a positive start to a sustainable fisheries in the future.

Cheers
Chris

[nigelr]

Instant quorum.

[Jim Groves]

What sort of oceans area do they oversee as far as fisheries goes. Is it just a 3 nautical mile limit or is it more extensive with a voice towards a federal government planning committee. Would you predict this to be a positive start to a sustainable fisheries in the future.

Cheers
Chris

The Offshore Constitutional Settlement with the Commonwealth means that we manage all the recreational fisheries and most of the commercial fisheries off the Queensland coast, not just out to three miles.
Jim Groves
MD
Fisheries Qld

[TimiBoy]

The Offshore Constitutional Settlement with the Commonwealth means that we manage all the recreational fisheries and most of the commercial fisheries off the Queensland coast, not just out to three miles.
Jim Groves
MD
Fisheries Qld

So that means Feds impose Green Zones and they have to be "managed" by State Authorities?

Cheers,

Tim

[Lucky_Phill]

For those who have not seen the press release, look here:

http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/mms/St....aspx?id=71579

You read it correct, a board of 11 members, including the chair:

1 charter rep.
1 science rep.
1 green rep (WWF)
1 indigenous rep.
4 pro reps.
2 rec reps (one previously paid by qld gov).

Chair is a public servant.

Bias toward pro??

I cannot see a recreational representative there ?

Dave Bateman ( Current Sunfish Executive Officer ) is paid by the State Government....via funding to Sunfish.

Tim Simpson, with all due respect, is a businessman making money from rec anglers.

Now, is this new QFAC undertaking to oversee and manage the recreational fishery, form policy, provide direction, make decisions and be accountable for all of the previous ?

OR, is this QFAC a generalized committee that meets every now and again to nut out how to promote commercial fishing in Queensland ?

By all accounts, this committee is devoid of representation from the major fishery stakeholder group known as Queensland Fishery. Recreational fishing far outstrips any and all commercial fishery divisions in terms of economic input, participation, social benefit, health benefit and sustainability.

Jim, is there a Rec Fishing committee being launched to undertake a similar role to this QFAC ? If not.... why not ?

Regards

Phill.

[Chris Ryan]

Here here Phill

Jim how were these positions selected? Are they Ministerial selections or done by the team inside Fisheries?

This is so devoid of any true representation it isn't funny. It seems as the Govt pay them they are on every board (Sunfish) but I daresay there were many other rec sector parties nominated who missed out because of that.

Where is Marine QLD?

Where are the tackle industry reps? You have a magazine business so surely to be fair you must have the real industry behind fishos' represented.

If this is the replacement to the MAC process, it doesn't look like it is off to a good start just by this press release.

[PinHead]

i wouldn't say bias theres different commercial licences and you can't pigeon hole them the netters and trawlers often in their fight for what they want do it at the expense of the line operaters so i think more would be needed to represent the different licence holders if anything i'd say there's one too many rec reps.

there are also many types of rec anglers..I bet there a guys targetting marlin etc who would not know the first thing about estuary fishing and vice versa.

Once again..we are just the Pineapple Kids...and once again Sunfish thinks they are talking for all of us..when will they learn the reality.

also..is the science rep an unbiased person..unlike those that were on "the expert advisory panel" when the green zones were planned?

You are in the unenviable position Jim..as you cannot please all the people all the time..HOWEVER...having been a rec angler for over 40 years, never in my life have I seen one group of the community shafted as often as rec anglers have been lately.

This is not aimed at the Fisheries staff but at the Govt..it is blatantly obvious we are being governed by a Ministry of incompetents. eg Lucas and his round file of health issues. Schwarten and his incompetence as IT Minister..Fraser for his pathetic abilities at managing the finances etc etc etc. We are being shafted on so many fronts and persoanlly, I have had a gut full of it.

We need a Govt where balance is the key..balance between work and recreational life..that leads to a happier and healthier community.

[Macks forever]

Absolutely biased toward commercial interests.

But that is what Qld Fisheries do. They still proudly state that their mission is to maintain profitable commercial fisheries. There is no way a decision could possibly come out of a committee like that that could favour rec fishers. Jim Groves and those that put the committee together knew that from the start.

Can anyone seriously imagine the rec fishers on that committee getting support if they said "Fish X is of little value to commercial fishing but is extremely valuable for rec fishing and tourism to this state. Lets make it a line only species". Don't blame the rec fishers on the committee. They have no hope from the start.

Just another QUANGO farce to maintain the status quo and ensure that there are no changes that benefit rec fishing or that disadvantage commercial fishing.