General thoughts on bag limits and green zones

[roz]

I gather at times this is a topic hotly debated... for and against as expected.

I used to wonder about the point of no fish zones until I spoke with a kiwi mate of mine, he is a keen fisho so I could see that his perspective was backed up with physical (for want of a better word) evidence.
Anyway.... after about a decade of a no fish zone being set in NZ waters locals fishing near the no fish zone/area began catching fish in numbers and sizes not seen in generations.
He started out as a sceptic but is now convinced these restrictions work, so he has convinced me.

As for bag limits, I didn't realise I was regularly breaking the QLD bag limit for spanish on most trips up north from NSW & I am sorry for my ignorance, it is my responsibility to be aware of these limits, but after fishing the same area for my spanish over a couple of decades I have noticed a really big decline in the size and numbers, in a nut shell it takes me longer to catch the same numbers and sizes with the odd exception, the macks are smaller.

On a brighter note, I have heard of bigger reef species being caught nearer the green zones up north, now this is only word of mouth, I don't often get the chance to bottom fish. The general area I am refering to is off 1770.


I don't want to start a war of words with this post, just interested in reading opinions either way, I respect others opinions (but only if they are the same as mine LOL... just kidding).

Cheers Roz

[honda900]

Roz,

One of the problems with the Green zones introduced in QLD was the total lack of justification (evidence) of where they were put. some are just barren wastelands.

As for 1770 there are a large number of green zones put closely together, around reef and structure, but you can still catch decent fish a long away from the green zones, whether or not the fish travel in out of the zones (you would have to imagine they would) has any bearing on this cant really be quantified.

One other problem is the data fisheries use to justify their position on rec fishing and green zones is all based on phone polls, this is not quantifiable evidence.

Do I think they are a good idea, personally yes, if areas are selected based on proper habitat selection. Have they changed the fishery , I am not seeing any real evidence of this, weather patterns and cyclic events seem to be having just as much impact.

On the other hand the artificial reefs that have been introduced are having an impact, easily quantifiable, by the fish that are now visible in those areas.

Bag and size limits I agree with, as long as they are sensible.

Regards
Honda.

[tunaticer]

I would like to see rotation of green zones taking place.
Every 4th estuary / river / creek system to get a 12 month closure, each year that closure moves one system north.
At least by this every system gets a 25% reduction in pressure........plus the green zone affects the entire state, not just isolated to pockets forever.

I have no problem with bag limits, but would like to see most species moved out another 30mm.
Amazing how the change of size limit has benefitted the jew in a few short years.

I would like to also have the law changed to measure to the fork of a fish's tail rather than the tip. It shits me off seeing photos of people pushing tips of tails down to somehow justify taking a juvenile fish.

[Horse]

I think that the Green Zones and protected areas on the GBR have worked well and have certainly protected populations of fish like Coral Trout. The way they spawn means fish living in protected areas are repopulating reefs in other areas.
The Green Zones in Moreton Bay are another issue entirely and whilst I can see the value in some there are others that are very questionable. One large one in the central bay has very little structure in it and is normally the only serious fishing effort was for seasonal pelagics.
I am comfortable with the current bag limits. If research supports additional cuts I would probably support them in the future

[rayken1938]

A lot of changes coming up in the freshwater scene in Qld. No more set lines no use of saltwater species as bait in the fresh( Unless frozen or preserved)New closed season for mary river cod.Changes to the sip scheme with new waters included and sip license will no longer cover partners.
Cheers
Ray

[back2boats]

I think, in general, green zones and bag limits will help.

What I can't understand, is rules like the closure dates for coral reef fin fish. I only discovered this by accident the other day. I had no idea this was in effect. Are we even going to remember all the dates, and how does a few days closure help?

Coral reef fin fish closure dates for 2014 to 2018 are:

• 21 October 2014 to 25 October 2014
  19 November 2014 to 23 November 2014
• 10 October 2015 to 14 October 2015
  9 November 2015 to 13 November 2015
• 28 October 2016 to 1 November 2016
  26 November 2016 to 30 November 2016
• 17 October 2017 to 21 October 2017
  15 November 2017 to 19 November 2017
• 6 October 2018 to 10 October 2018
  5 November 2018 to 9 November 2018

[ozynorts]

I think, in general, green zones and bag limits will help.

What I can't understand, is rules like the closure dates for coral reef fin fish. I only discovered this by accident the other day. I had no idea this was in effect. Are we even going to remember all the dates, and how does a few days closure help?

Those closures are for the fish to spawn. All the pro fisho's and a lot of rec's know that the fish all congregate at these times to spawn and are easy to target at that time. By closing the fishing down for those periods the fish have a chance to reproduce in numbers and ensure we can go catch them on another day.

[back2boats]

Those closures are for the fish to spawn. All the pro fisho's and a lot of rec's know that the fish all congregate at these times to spawn and are easy to target at that time. By closing the fishing down for those periods the fish have a chance to reproduce in numbers and ensure we can go catch them on another day.

That's good to know, thanks. However, I don't think it is well advertised enough. If I look up a size/bag limit on a fish, I won't find out about this closure (at least I didn't in the books I looked at). I just don't like thinking I am doing the right thing, then finding out a rule I was blissfully unaware of

[ovakil]

I don't have to worry about bag limit's as I never catch that much.As for research of green zones is questionable. Creating artificial reefs is a proven point that fish will congreate there. They should create more. Imagine some artifical reefs along morteon island like Tangalooma. Not having 100's of boats in one place.
My 2c.
Cheers

[scottar]

The green zone process for Moreton Bay as explained to me was as much about preservation of a range of diverse environments as it was about fishing. That is why areas like the one north of the Harry Atkinson artificial were included. I don't for a minute believe the majority of the placements weren't about protecting areas that were popular fishing areas rather than being based on science which at best was sketchy but some of them just may have been. They certainly can't hurt fish populations but they would probably be a bit more effective with better policing.

[Volvo]

If it means Fish for the Future generation i have absolutley no argaumentagainst bag Limits or Green Zones:0, actually more in favour of Green zones and once closed leave em closed..
Good to see you back onboard ..

[roz]

thanks for your reply Honda.
I have been a participant in an interview, topic being fish numbers, size etc etc conducted by a woman doing her degree in biology, I assume marine, she was interested in what I had to say, mainly due to the fact I had fished the same area for so long (mid 80s'), I now wish I had have kept a diary/log so I could have provided a more accurate account.

I voiced my opinions & views, it would have been up to her to decide whether the information I provided was valid or relevant. One thing I did tell her, & it really got her attention, were at times seeing dead & dying fish floating south of the area I was fishing, these were fish I could not identify, I did however point out that Gladstone was north of where I had seen this happening, but I really didn't want to imply anything at all, I just hoped any info I could provide would help her project, she also interviewed pro mackeral fishermen, people I know personally.

As for some green zones being located on what a lot of people consider "barren or waste lands", must point out, I held that same view, until I took a dozen or so trips out on a trawler, I then realised that just because there is no reef under the boat, the ocean floor is not barren, I saw literally tons in the cod end of the nets, they call these critters by-catch, fish I have never seen before, in all shapes and sizes ...ever, but I bet they are all part of the food chain, again just my personal view.
Finally, green zones may not provide a solution to bringing fish stocks back, but I honestly feel they (who ever make these decisions) have to start somewhere, doing nothing is not a good idea IMO, the no fish zones may take decades to help fish stocks, if they help at all, but I think they are worth a shot, nothing ventured nothing gained???

Again, thanks for your thoughts.
cheers roz

[ozynorts]

That's good to know, thanks. However, I don't think it is well advertised enough. If I look up a size/bag limit on a fish, I won't find out about this closure (at least I didn't in the books I looked at). I just don't like thinking I am doing the right thing, then finding out a rule I was blissfully unaware of

This is a good reference. Has all the information.
https://www.daff.qld.gov.au/fisherie...es-regulations

[chris69]

The closures for spawning is a the best thing and a few of the green zones are good as i no whats on the bottom of the one in the middle of moreton bay and thats lots of wire weed a great home for the juvenile fish and crustations so thats one is not a waste but for the sake on barren sand banks to be declaired a green zone does not make any sence.

[tunaticer]

The closures for spawning is a the best thing and a few of the green zones are good as i no whats on the bottom of the one in the middle of moreton bay and thats lots of wire weed a great home for the juvenile fish and crustations so thats one is not a waste but for the sake on barrown sand banks to be declaired a green zone does not make any sence.

It would be interesting to see how long before the wire weed and eel grass gets a hold in the barren green zones.......