Provide your feedback for Fisheries review

Queenslanders interested in ensuring that the state’s fisheries remain sustainable are encouraged to have their say in a review which will involve strategic advice from leading experts.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister John McVeigh said written submissions could be made to MRAG Asia Pacific independent consultants who were working closely with his department on the Fisheries Management Review.

Mr McVeigh said it was important all fishing sectors, as well as other community groups with an interest in fishing, provided input into the review.

“MRAG Asia Pacific is leading the review on our behalf and I encourage anyone with an interest in our fisheries to email their feedback to qldfisheriesreview@mragap.com.au,” Mr McVeigh said.

“Submissions close on Thursday, 30 October at 5pm. MRAG will examine the submissions and together with their findings will develop a series of recommendations to guide fisheries management in Queensland.

“Fisheries management suffered neglect under near-20 years of Labor governments.

“The Queensland Government has a strong plan for a brighter future and our focus is to resolve some of the long-standing issues with fisheries management in Queensland.

“Labor didn’t have the guts or commitment to redress the problems and used band-aid approaches that resulted in little agreement within our fishing industries.”

Mr McVeigh today also announced the members of the Fisheries Ministerial Advisory Committee who will provide strategic advice to the consultants for their consideration.

“We undertook an extensive selection process and are pleased to advise that the Committee includes 12 representatives with expertise in recreational, commercial and indigenous fishing as well as fisheries and conservation science,” he said.

“The Committee will also directly advise me on important fisheries matters and on the final recommendations that will be presented by the independent review team at the end of the year.”

[ENDS] 9 July 2014

Media Contact: Louise Gillis 0408 709 160

The Ministerial Advisory Committee members are: 

• Mr David Bateman - Recreational fisher, Chair, Sunfish Queensland
• Mr Stephen Murphy - Commercial fisher, Southern Trawl fishery
• Mr John Page - Commercial fisher, Net fishery
• Mr Edwin Morrisson - Commercial fisher, Northern Trawl fishery
• Ms Claudine Ward - Commercial fisher, Secretary of the Gulf of Carpentaria Commercial Fishermen Association
• Ms Karen Collard - Commercial fisher, Chair, Queensland Seafood Industry Association
• Mr Neil Green - Commercial fisher, Net and Crab fishery
• Mr Les Kowitz - Recreational fisher, Executive Officer, Freshwater Fishing and Stocking Association of Queensland
• Mr Andrew Tobin - Fisheries scientist and commercial fisher, Line fishery
• Ms Sian Breen - Fishing and conservation expertise
• Mr Chris Calogeras - Aquaculture, Chair, FRDC Indigenous Reference Network
• Mr Matt Barwick - Recreational fisher, Queensland Fisheries Research Advisory Board