Qld Rec fisher changes in the air
Recreational fishers of Queensland are in for changes, again.
Apart from the ever lingering prospect of a saltwater fishing licence hanging over our heads, it seems there is a strong possibility that mandatory catch reporting is on the cards. This would be done through new technology via an App, for your phone. Initially, I am suggesting the reporting be voluntary / elective, but there is no doubt, it will become compulsory and this will then be legislated and just another way for any Governments to collect money from us via fines for NOT reporting. The current commercial fishers in Qld are absolutely smashed with paperwork and reporting systems, it really is a crime. Recreational fishers have long been skeptical of virgin bio-mass and catch rates used by Fisheries Scientists to provide management outcomes. By us not wanting to pass on our catch rates to fisheries, for various reasons, the end result is that they will find a way to make it compulsory, and mandatory reporting via an app will be their weapon of choice.
The FRDC in association with other research entities can hand over a $1,000,000 to find a way to get recreational fishers to report catch rates, but I am sure those monies could be better spent on the actual fishery they are trying to manage. The Queensland Government is spending small fortunes on failed management protocols and the department is bleeding dollars with no result to the fishery. Millions spent on research into a better way to manage the fishery all for nought. Every time the result is the same. Reduce bag limits, seasonal closures, slot limits etc etc………. all failing by their own admission.
The land farmers do it right, plant a seed and grow a crop, breed up stock, nourish the land, crop rotation which are simple and time tested methods of sustainability. Qld fisheries just implement tighter controls. Never have they tried to replenish the habitat or breed up stock, they simple allow harvesting. I am not saying it is their fault, but when you are given limited tools to do a job, the end result is substandard and in the case of all Queensland Fisheries, failing. Failing to address the real issues.
Every Queenslander that owns a fishing rod knows there are problems and most know how to fix it. You know why they know…. Because they are not hamstrung by Government interference and vote garnering agendas. Wild Stocking, Artificial Reefs, Green Zone Rotation are very simple, easily managed, cost effective and economically viable options that are NOT on the table under current Queensland Fisheries Management protocols. Why not ? That is a question for the Minister and Director General. Our Queensland fishery is accelerating into an abyss of legislative bungling, poor management and eventual collapse all because of short sighted Governments.
A point in case is the new found possible fishery of North WA Mudcrabs. Fisheries identified ( used recreational data via trolling social media pages and more ) a Mudcrab population worthy of commercial harvesting. Why ? Why find this species and try to commercialise it to a point that will no doubt lead to new restrictions on recreational crabbers and eventually on the commercial guys. Restrictions mean more policing, more management, more funding required, and to put it simply, it is just “ jobs for the boys “, a continuous circle of finding ways to keep them and their mates employed. Just because it is there, there is no need to exploit it.
There are many ways to bring Queensland back to a fishing tourism mecca and some of those ideas have been implemented on other States, but it seems we are behind the eight ball and the only way around is to include new tools of management.
LP
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