Fish habitats and the environment win in new Queensland Government initiative

Central Queensland fishermen can look forward to better fishing trips thanks to proposed new Fish Habitat Areas.

National Parks and Great Barrier Reef Minister Dr Steven Miles announced today in Rockhampton that three new Fish Habitat Areas would be declared in Central Queensland following overwhelming public support for the measures.

“Fish Habitat Areas play an important role in protecting the Great Barrier Reef by minimising coastal development which can lead to a loss of habitat and decline in water quality,” Dr Miles said.

“In turn they deliver more fish which is good for the environment and fishermen alike.

“The Fitzroy Delta is the largest estuarine ecosystem feeding into the Great Barrier Reef. It is home to species such as mud crabs, barramundi, mangrove jack, bream and whiting. The Fish Habitat Areas will also protect the vulnerable snubfin dolphin and flatback turtle.

“The Australian Marine Conservation Society and WWF commissioned a report that found the natural asset value of the area to be upwards of $500 million, so it’s important we protect them from dredging and overdevelopment.

Dr Miles said more than 500 submissions had been received in two rounds of public consultation on the Queensland Government’s proposal to declare new Fish Habitat Areas at Leekes Creek on Great Keppel Island and in the Calliope River near Gladstone.

“There was a high level of support for all of the proposals which aim to protect mangroves, salt marsh and seagrass from development pressures while allowing limited appropriate infrastructure and legal commercial, recreational and Indigenous fishing.

“Based on the overwhelming level of public support, I have directed the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing to prepare a proposal for Governor-in-Council to approve the gazettal of the new and expanded Fish Habitat Areas.

Member for Rockhampton Bill Byrne said the public was also asked for its views on a proposal to expand the Fitzroy River declared Fish Habitat Area.

“The expansion of the Fitzroy River declared Fish Habitat Area follows from the port development restrictions legislated in the Sustainable Ports Development Act 2015.  It is also an action under the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan and this latest decision demonstrates our strong commitment to implementing the Plan,” Mr Byrne said.

Mr Byrne said 494 submissions were received in the second round of public consultation, with 480 of them directly related to the Fitzroy proposal.

“Plenty of people in Rocky love their fishing, the Fitzroy is well known for its Barramundi, so protecting their habitat is vital.

“By protecting these iconic sports fish we can increase our share of fishing tourism.

“I’m glad this process is underway and we will see these new Fish Habitat Areas in place by the end of 2016.”

ENDS

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