Rec Fishing in Green zones - govt plan for beach fishing at Scott's Point & beyond

[Mark Robinson MP]

JOINT STATEMENT
Premier
The Honourable Campbell Newman
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
The Honourable John McVeigh
Minister for National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing
The Honourable Steve Dickson


Proposal to allow recreational fishing at Scotts Point


Recreational anglers could soon be able to wet a line at Scotts Point on the Redcliffe Peninsula, under a proposal to change marine park zoning.


Premier Campbell Newman said he wanted to change the zoning of the first 100 metres of the existing Scotts Point marine national park zone to allow recreational fishing from the shore.


“The current zoning deprives families of the pleasure of fishing from the shoreline at Scotts Point,” Mr Newman said.


“Many Redcliffe locals have told us they want to use the shoreline at Scotts Point for recreational fishing, so we’re now consulting more widely with the public to see if there’s a desire to make this happen.”


“The proposed change of zoning is a common-sense approach. The new zoning will have minimal impact on the environment, while producing great lifestyle benefits for the community.”


National Parks Minister Steve Dickson said the proposal was to change the first 100 metres of the existing Scotts Point marine national park zone or ‘green zone’ into a special management area.


Mr Dickson said the proposal would require an amendment to the Marine Parks (Moreton Bay) Zoning Plan 2008 following public consultation, but assured the public that Scotts Point would remain protected.


“The special management area would be highly protected under current legislation, with areas beyond 100 metres retained within the green zone, where all fishing and collecting is banned," he said.


Mr Dickson called on Queenslanders to come forward with other locations that could benefit from similar solutions.


“If there’s an area near you with good public access to the shoreline, where recreational fishing would have minimal impact on the environment, I urge you to tell your local MP,” he said.


Minister for Fisheries John McVeigh said anglers would be allowed one line and that fisheries rules on bag and size limits would continue to apply under the proposed changes.


“We want to protect our marine areas, while still ensuring they are accessible for locals and tourists to enjoy.”


A 28 day public consultation period commences on Monday 17th February. For more information visit www.nprsr.qld.gov.au


The Government has said there would be no review of offshore green zones in the Moreton Bay area before a scheduled review in 2017.


[ENDS] 16 February 2013

[Derek Bullock]

Isn't there an election at Redcliffe next weekend. How desperate can you get for some votes after all the previous "science" that was rolled out on why this was first made a Green Zone.

Oh sorry me, it was the Labor Party did that wasn't it.

[Moonlighter]

Well Mark, after all the work done behind the scenes, this is just a pathetic, disappointing announcement.

I strongly suspect it will be seen by the Redcliffe voters next weekend as a last ditch, grasping at straws attempt to win a few miserable votes.

Did no-one show the premier the statistics on boat ownership, especially tinnies capable of fishing the close to shore reefs and the bigger offshore capable boats, that are in that electorate? It must be almost a boat per house over there, and this announcement is the best the LNP can do for those people??

It could have been the start of the sensible review of the green zones, all of them, that we were lead to believe the new LNP government would deliver when they came to power, but that last little paragraph that says:

"The Government has said there would be no review of offshore green zones in the Moreton bay area before a scheduled review in 2017."

Well, that wasn't the impression Campbell gave us in his speech at the tinnie and tackle show prior to the election, was it!

That one statement has made it abundantly and crystal clear that rec fishers cannot trust the Qld LNP to deliver on their commitments to us.

The Federal party, on the other hand, moved quickly to squash the stupid proposals brought in by Gillard and Co in the Coral Sea and elsewhere, but with your massive majority here in Qld, your team couldn't do the same thing and squibbed. Pathetic.

Maybe we need to get Bos to line up for the State when he retires from the Fed Parliament, at least he get how important this is to us! The old guy wouldn't make a bad Premier, i reckon!

By 2017, when the review comes around, the way your lot are going, the LNP wont be in government.

Very, very disappointed.

[Steeler]

Hook , line and sinker.

[manta man]

Mark LNP HAVE DONE THE No's Crunching in that area, and it"s not looking to good is it. So all of a sudden you"ve decided to throw some Farcical Notion in regards to Scott"s Point Green Zone (Come on Mark we are not dills). I"m still waiting for McVeighs response to the buy back Pro Net scheme amongst, many other things. I see in the Sydney Telegraph recently where the Govt were proud to announce $17 million from fishing licences last year, was being put straight back in towards helping the REC Fisho"s. All your Govt wants to do is put Bikies behind Bars, Obliviate Unions, and destroy the Environment. Mark Mark Mark....Surely you can do better than that.

[bluefin59]

What more would you expect from this government and member , and I'll say it again Mark THANKS for nothing you have no idea and a hide to come on here after all the bull you have given us ... Matt

[wags on the water]

This isn't news - it's more political bullsh!t

[tunaticer]

What are you going to be doing after the next election Mark?

[NAGG]

rejoice rejoice !

[Just one of the Boys]

There is no rejoicing in this announcement !!

The previous state government shafted the rec fishos time and time again because we had no Lobbyist or Peak respresentative body.

The current state Government have shafted us rec fishos because we have no Lobbyist or Peak representative body.

Both parties have failed us, so there is no need for scarcasim from the lefties or praise from the right.

It seems to me that certain Federal Senators are more aware of the rec fishos plight than the state members who won their seats on the backs of the rec fishing industry ( votes ). Apparently, casting our vote in favour of a fair hearing has been in vain. I will not throw any rotten tomatoes at Mr Robinson, because he is an Ausfish member, a recreational fisher, from all accounts a decent bloke and as we all know, he was shafted when Noddy came to power.

There are many good people working behind the scenes offering great insight and data to the powers that be and I feel they have been let down by the " politicing ". I know politics is a dirty game, a numbers game, but playing this game at the expense of us rec fishos is just not on !

Mr Robinson knows only too well that the numbers provided by rec fishos handed him his seat and honestly, I believe he is doing his best under the circumstances, but his best is not good enough as although this token offer has been made it is rightly pointed out as a last minute and desperate grab for attention with the Redcliffe election about a week away.

A quick flick of the pen gets MBMP reviews up and running and by all accounts and the speed with which the LNP ..." can " do things, a precautionary principle adaptation to one hook, one rod in MBMP Green zones while the review is under way or waiting to get underway, would seem a good outcome for all. How bloody hard is it ?

As a member of parliament representing bayside constituents Mark, I urge you to get your face in the media and inside the hallowed halls and really let Noddy know what is at stake here. As much as most rec fishos of Qld disliked the previous government, we will not stand by and let our fishery be used as a political football, kicked around the paddock every time a by election is pending.

Nearly 2 years in and still no movement on the MBMP. Don't give us that, " more arti reefs speech " as that is a hangover from the ALP days, albeit many years too late. And duely noted is the possibility of a couple of arti's to places north of Brisbane. Token jestures at best.

Where is the announcement of a substancial review or scientific undertakings into recreational fishing in Queensland ... to be commenced in the coming months / weeks / days ?

.

[Steeler]

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/quee...216-32tno.html



He said the government supported the retention of green zones, but said if successful, the Scott's Point example could be copied elsewhere in the state.

Onya Mark but you missed that bit.

[Moonlighter]

I have no problem with the concept of looking at the green zones that restrict anglers from fishing from shore. It is, or could have been, a sensible starting point to reviewing all Queensland Government green zones.

So some muted applause here, for the work done behind the scenes by Mark and the Government on this front.

The problem was that final comment where they said that all non-shore based green zones will not be looked at until at least 2017. No doubt, this was intended to take the heat out of any greeny reaction to this announcement. Understandable, especially from a premier whose own seat is marginal and includes a few inner city greeny type voters.

But extremely disappointing given the pre-election noises that the LNP was making.

I cant see what Nagg thinks is so hilarious - it was his mates in labor that lead the flawed review and did a grubby preference deal with the greens that landed us where we are today, with these BS green zones based on very dodgy pseudo-science at best.

By now, anyone who knows anything about Marine park restrictions on recreational fishing should realize that the scientific approach, or the sham that took its place in Queensland under Labor, was flawed even by the environmentalist''s own standards. These standards are contained within the international conventions Australia is a signatory to.

And they clearly require a risk assessment of existing activities to see whether or not each activity poses an acceptable level of risk to the environmental features or values in each location.

Marine parks in Australia are multi-use, that allow a wide range of uses, with the different uses allowed based on the particular environmental features in a specific location which are balanced against the risks inherent in the activities proposed to be permitted. So fundamentally, you have to look at area A, and do an assessment of the risks posed by different activities on the features that need to be protected in that area.

They failed to do any risk assessment of the various forms of recreational fishing in any of the Moreton Bay marine park zones. And in fact, the same comment applies to nearly all Australian Marine Parks. It is a fatal flaw in the scientific approach that has been taken to date.

And to do that risk assessment, they would need to engage with recreational fishing representatives to get their input - it cant be a desk review, it needs input from actual recreational particpamts who are familiar with the fishing practices involved at every location being consider for inclusion in a marine park.

This was an opportunity for the LNP to address that by kicking off a proper scientific risk assessment of all the existing green zones, and, as many of us have been advocating, for an initial moratorium to be announced allowing one line per angler in all the GZ's (except those few that were created due to them containing threatened or endangered species/habitat, while that risk assessment was done.

But they squibbed.

So now, we have to shift the focus of our efforts to lobbying all political parties to adopt that risk review process as their policy position prior to the next State election. And for them to commit to a clear timetable for its implementation.

[gr hilly]

rejoice rejoice !

ha ha ha ha
Hilly.

[Mike Delisser]

I have no problem with the concept of looking at the green zones that restrict anglers from fishing from shore. It is, or could have been, a sensible starting point to reviewing all Queensland Government green zones.

So some muted applause here, for the work done behind the scenes by Mark and the Government on this front.

The problem was that final comment where they said that all non-shore based green zones will not be looked at until at least 2017. No doubt, this was intended to take the heat out of any greeny reaction to this announcement. Understandable, especially from a premier whose own seat is marginal and includes a few inner city greeny type voters.

But extremely disappointing given the pre-election noises that the LNP was making.

I cant see what Nagg thinks is so hilarious - it was his mates in labor that lead the flawed review and did a grubby preference deal with the greens that landed us where we are today, with these BS green zones based on very dodgy pseudo-science at best.

By now, anyone who knows anything about Marine park restrictions on recreational fishing should realize that the scientific approach, or the sham that took its place in Queensland under Labor, was flawed even by the environmentalist''s own standards. These standards are contained within the international conventions Australia is a signatory to.

And they clearly require a risk assessment of existing activities to see whether or not each activity poses an acceptable level of risk to the environmental features or values in each location.

Marine parks in Australia are multi-use, that allow a wide range of uses, with the different uses allowed based on the particular environmental features in a specific location which are balanced against the risks inherent in the activities proposed to be permitted. So fundamentally, you have to look at area A, and do an assessment of the risks posed by different activities on the features that need to be protected in that area.

They failed to do any risk assessment of the various forms of recreational fishing in any of the Moreton Bay marine park zones. And in fact, the same comment applies to nearly all Australian Marine Parks. It is a fatal flaw in the scientific approach that has been taken to date.

And to do that risk assessment, they would need to engage with recreational fishing representatives to get their input - it cant be a desk review, it needs input from actual recreational particpamts who are familiar with the fishing practices involved at every location being consider for inclusion in a marine park.

This was an opportunity for the LNP to address that by kicking off a proper scientific risk assessment of all the existing green zones, and, as many of us have been advocating, for an initial moratorium to be announced allowing one line per angler in all the GZ's (except those few that were created due to them containing threatened or endangered species/habitat, while that risk assessment was done.

But they squibbed.

So now, we have to shift the focus of our efforts to lobbying all political parties to adopt that risk review process as their policy position prior to the next State election. And for them to commit to a clear timetable for its implementation.

Moonlighter I agree, but are you aware of the current Qld Government's response to Timmi's petition to have the Moreton Bay Green Zones reviewed, it virtually says Labor got the MB Green Zones right using correct science and public consultation. (which we all know they didn't).
And now this latest twist down at Redcliffe just shows you how all over the shop this Newmann Gov is in regard to rec-fishing.
First from opposition they fight against the introduction of the Green Zones and promise us if we vote the LNP in we can use 1 rod per angler in green zones, and we will have access "SWIFTLY".
Then the LNP get elected but suddenly the promised changes to the Green Zones aren't a priority.
Then when MP Mark and Timmi organize a petition to Parliament to review rec-angler access to green zones the Gov says no, and give Labor's MB green zone implementation process a tick of approval.
Then only a couple of months ago rouge Redcliffe MP Scott Driscoll asks in Parliament for the Scott's Point Green Zone to be lifted...The Qld Government says NO!
Now a couple of months later and less than 2 weeks before the Redcliffe bi-election the Newman Gov proposes to allow rec-anglers to fish the Scott's Point Green Zone.
It's not surprising many think they are only interested in our votes and not interested in fixing the issues facing rec-anglers in this State.

Now I want to say the proposed change is a good thing, it really is, and well done MP Mark if he's finally got Cabinet to listen to him, but it's at pity this didn't happen as soon as Newmann was elected like he promised us. Does anyone believe we wouldn't be hearing about this if were not for the bi-election?

A couple of things that disturb me though are there's a public consultation period that conveniently ends after the bi-election, and any changes to the Scotts Pt Green Zone need to pass this test, so it's not a done deal at all.
Also the last line in the Brisbane Times article about the proposed changes to the Scott's Pt green zone, where LNP candidate Mrs Dooley says "They realise if they vote for the opposition, Redcliffe gets nothing".






Moonlighter this was Gov Minister Steve Dickson's response to Timmi's petition to allow rec-anglers access to Moreton Bay Green Zones.

In relation to the second matter raised in the petition, a multiple use management framework has been adopted within Queensland marine parks. This approach balances conservation with a range of commercial, recreational and tourism activities. The framework was established
through extensive public consultation, including recreational fishing interests.
Along with public consultation the following actions are undertaken as a part of this multi use management framework: a review of available science; consideration of expert opinion; identification of values and threats including consideration of possible offset measures; and
determining socio-economic values of the area and considering ways to minimise their impacts. This process ensures that a range of conservation, recreational, commercial and tourism interests are considered and that measures are incorporated into marine park planning to manage these interests.
Recreational fishing is recognised as an important activity throughout coastal Queensland, supporting local businesses and enjoyed by many. Given the extremely large area of marine waters in Queensland available for recreational fishing, it is not considered that any change is required to the existing State marine park zones at this time.
The 2009 Moreton Bay Marine Park (MBMP) rezoning process has been the most recent marine planning exercise undertaken by the Queensland Government. Science played a key role in determining the marine park zoning. An independent expert panel determined key principles for planning. These principles formed part of the consultation materials for the rezoning and included adopting conservation measures for habitats and species while seeking to minimise impacts on marine park users.
Recreational fishing interests were consulted on the current MBMP zoning arrangements and recreational fishing data was considered in the planning process. This ensured that the most popular recreational fishing areas of the Bay were excluded from green zones. Changes were also made in yellow zones in the Bay to allow for two fishing lines in these zones rather than the previous single line following feedback from recreational fishers. The overall outcome saw 84 per cent (2,920 square kilometres) of the MBMP remaining available for recreational fishing.
Artificial reef structures, introduced as part of these marine park zoning arrangements, were funded to provide additional opportunities for recreational fishing - adding to the habitat diversity able to be fished within the marine park. Recreational fishing also occurs extensively in other Queensland State marine parks, with protected green zones representing small but important areas established to protect their different marine habitats and fauna from extraction and use.
In regard to the reference in the e-petition to the 'International Union for Conservation of Nature' (IUCN}, the current IUCN categories have, as a key objective, 'delivering recreational benefits consistent with the other objectives of (protected area) management'. I believe the current Queensland marine park zoning arrangements appropriately address this objective as well as the other management objectives specific to each of the IUCN categories.

[NAGG]

I have no problem with the concept of looking at the green zones that restrict anglers from fishing from shore. It is, or could have been, a sensible starting point to reviewing all Queensland Government green zones.

So some muted applause here, for the work done behind the scenes by Mark and the Government on this front.

The problem was that final comment where they said that all non-shore based green zones will not be looked at until at least 2017. No doubt, this was intended to take the heat out of any greeny reaction to this announcement. Understandable, especially from a premier whose own seat is marginal and includes a few inner city greeny type voters.

But extremely disappointing given the pre-election noises that the LNP was making.

I cant see what Nagg thinks is so hilarious - it was his mates in labor that lead the flawed review and did a grubby preference deal with the greens that landed us where we are today, with these BS green zones based on very dodgy pseudo-science at best.

By now, anyone who knows anything about Marine park restrictions on recreational fishing should realize that the scientific approach, or the sham that took its place in Queensland under Labor, was flawed even by the environmentalist''s own standards. These standards are contained within the international conventions Australia is a signatory to.

And they clearly require a risk assessment of existing activities to see whether or not each activity poses an acceptable level of risk to the environmental features or values in each location.

Marine parks in Australia are multi-use, that allow a wide range of uses, with the different uses allowed based on the particular environmental features in a specific location which are balanced against the risks inherent in the activities proposed to be permitted. So fundamentally, you have to look at area A, and do an assessment of the risks posed by different activities on the features that need to be protected in that area.

They failed to do any risk assessment of the various forms of recreational fishing in any of the Moreton Bay marine park zones. And in fact, the same comment applies to nearly all Australian Marine Parks. It is a fatal flaw in the scientific approach that has been taken to date.

And to do that risk assessment, they would need to engage with recreational fishing representatives to get their input - it cant be a desk review, it needs input from actual recreational particpamts who are familiar with the fishing practices involved at every location being consider for inclusion in a marine park.

This was an opportunity for the LNP to address that by kicking off a proper scientific risk assessment of all the existing green zones, and, as many of us have been advocating, for an initial moratorium to be announced allowing one line per angler in all the GZ's (except those few that were created due to them containing threatened or endangered species/habitat, while that risk assessment was done.

But they squibbed.

So now, we have to shift the focus of our efforts to lobbying all political parties to adopt that risk review process as their policy position prior to the next State election. And for them to commit to a clear timetable for its implementation.

If the implementation of green zones were so "flawed" your words ...... why were they not removed post haste! - 2 years later & they talk of review out to 2017 - how flawed were they then ?
My laugh is at the minister of announcements coming on here .... letting everyone know that CN has rec fishoes backs (a little by election wouldn't have anything to do with it ..... nah , surely not!)

Chris