Qld Rec Fishing. 2011 and beyond.
Queensland Recreational Fisheries 2011 and beyond.
Our fishery is not about now or tomorrow, it is about forever.
A vision for our fishery must entail its circumstance long after our generation has passed.
A management regime’ must be in place now so that the long term sustainability and indeed, the enhancement of the fishery, is to be successful.
Current Commercial, Charter and Recreational practices need to be re-defined. We must look seriously at the big picture.
Australia currently stands in an enviable position of fishery stocks and legislation. We need to visualize ourselves as the Food Bowl of the World. Our fishery stocks need to be complimented with our Land Based food production and in particular, land based agricultural practices. Australia is a minnow in the world food production both land based and marine, but this can be turned around with vision, enterprise, incentive and sound scientific research and development.
There are many agendas being promoted by various groups to Government and private enterprise, but none cuts more deeply into the Australian way of life than Fishing. Recreational Fishing in particular touches first hand, more Australians than any other activity , including the work environment. The consumption of fish and related marine foods is deeply embedded in our Culture and is in essence, an every day part of our lives.
With the combined economic input to our State and Federal Governments coffers from Commercial, Charter and Recreational Fishing exceeding $10 Billion yearly, it would seem a rational idea to focus on this as a way forward for not only the country, but its people.
Stepping aside from the economic impacts, the health and well-being, social interaction and educational areas are not well defined but are identified. It is understood that the health aspects of fishing and consumption of fish is of great importance. Further, educational and social interaction aspects of fishing ( recreational ), cannot be measured, but is widely recognized as a building block in the development of the family unit and a basis for peer group acceptance and involvement.
In Queensland, Recreational Fishing is under the control of the Department of Primary Industries. This has to change. The question has to be asked and answered, can we separate commercial, charter and recreational fishing ? Recreational fishing is a component of Tourism, as is Charter Fishing and as such deserves its place in that portfolio. Can current legislation governing commercial fishing and charter & recreational fishing be separated ?
1. An expanded and well managed commercial fishery can enhance the reputation of Australian seafood both here and overseas. The benefits of a robust and sustainable commercial fishery will outweigh any initial limitations, regulation changes or licence streamlining. Australia can lead the world in best practice commercial fishing if current and future Governments acknowledge the importance of this essential food source and pro-actively support and encourage the private sector with incentives and resources.
Relatively economical strategies like, marine artificial reefs and FAD’s that are commercial fishing specific can be adopted with the use of overseas information and research data. Pelagic fish species, Scallops, Abalone and Demersal species can all be successfully harvested by adopting these methods. There is more than enough evidence, world wide, to promote this type of harvesting without impacting on established wild stocks. The increasing of habitat to naturally occurring substrates and or deploying new ones, increases the bio-mass of the targeted species.
A tariff on whole imported seafoods will not only assist our industry, but provide better outcomes for our health. At the very least, more stringent production regulations be adopted to protect Australians health and livelihoods.
2. The Charter industry requires streamlining with sustainable fishing and business’s in mind. With the Charter Operators moving under the Tourism umbrella, realistic business practices and operations will evolve and this in turn will provide a secure industry for the future.
A limiting in the size of Charter vessels is a way forward that provides a reduction of area specific impact, reduced overhead costs and a better client / business owner relationship.
3. Recreational fishing has to be acknowledged as the premier recreational activity of Australians. Every client of a Charter is a recreational fisher. This acknowledgement has to come from both State and Federal levels of Government and all political parties. Best practice recreational fishing encompasses strong conservation standards as well as stewardship of the seas and waterways. Both Marine and Aquatic environments require politically independent management in association with the relevant Government bodies to gain the best results for the fishery and environment. The words co-management and regional management should be seriously considered.
Recreation Fishing Havens, artificial reefs, stocked impoundments and more will see Queensland, in particular, grow in leaps and bounds on the world tourism stage. A healthy Tourism opportunity can only mean good outcomes for local communities which will pass onto the whole of the country.
Australia has a unique opportunity to embed itself on the world food and tourism stage. With substantial investment and infrastructure programs, vigorously support by a visionary Government and an Enterprising private sector, we can stand proud and tall. The world will be beating a path to Australia’s door, looking for our crops, meats, textiles, seafood and tourism based marine and aquatic activities.
We have all seen certain overseas countries grow rich and fat on limited and finite resources. Let us see our country grow healthy and happy on sustainable and limitless resources.
Let us not waste this opportunity by legislating for next week or next month. Let’s put aside minority group agendas, political factions, personal profiles and knee-jerk reactions to events or circumstance. Queensland, more than ever, needs to rise from years of indecision and vision-less policy making. Queensland is by its very nature, a diverse and unique land with a plethora of landscapes and water environs as well as an immense array of wildlife. To ensure this remains, we must act now and act accordingly with vision, with passion and with knowledge.
The unwillingness of the mind is the only handicap to a lifetime of fishing !
Phill Kliese
Secretary
ECOFishers Qld.
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