ABC News
Last Update: Thursday, July 22, 2004. 6:43 PM (AEST)
The Queensland Government has endorsed new protection zones for the Great Barrier Reef but wants to keep rivers, creeks, estuaries and mangroves along Queensland's coastline open to fishing.
Queensland Environment Minister John Mickel has released his response to the Commonwealth's controversial new zones, which ban commercial fishing in a third of the Great Barrier Reef.
Mr Mickel has told a parliamentary budget estimates committee that his proposal is open for discussion but believes it is a balanced approach.
"It ensures the conservation benefits of the new Commonwealth zoning are secured in the intertidal areas," he said.
"It locks in the substantial gains for recreational fishers and the tourist industry, it provides certainty for commercial fishers."