Published Thursday, 11 January, 2007 at 09:30 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
QUEENSLAND COMMUNITIES URGED TO HAVE THEIR SAY ON AQUACULTURE
Regional communities across Queensland have been urged to have their say on the State Government’s Marine Aquaculture Policy Green Paper released today.
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations and Acting Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries John Mickel said the Green Paper was an important step in the Queensland Government’s development of a policy and planning framework for the marine aquaculture industry.
Mr Mickel officially launched the paper at the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries’ Bribie Island Aquaculture Research Centre (BIARC).
“Aquaculture is an exciting emerging industry in Queensland, but we need a strong planning framework to ensure a balanced approach to economic development and environmental protection,” Mr Mickel said.
The Green Paper focuses on four key areas:
• attracting sustainable investment to the marine aquaculture industry;
• strategic planning for marine aquaculture industry development;
• managing environmental impacts for sustainable industry growth; and
• getting the balance right.
Fishing and aquaculture are Australia's fifth most valuable rural industry after wool, beef, wheat and dairy.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said there was great potential to increase the size of Queensland’s seafood industry and aquaculture sector.
“Queensland offers a host of advantages for marine aquaculture including clean, unpolluted waters, strict bio-security and some of the highest environmental standards in the world,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Queensland is also uniquely placed to take advantage of the major seafood markets in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Mr Mickel said aquaculture was a significant contributor to economic development in regional Queensland.
“Aquaculture is worth approximately $70 million to the Queensland economy each year.
“The industry provides skilled jobs for regional communities. Since 1999/2000 full time equivalent employment in the industry has increased from 424 to 689 positions,” Mr Mickel said.
Mr Mulherin added new technologies and research lead by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries aquaculture research centres were demonstrating that Queensland could lead the way with sustainability.
Mr Mickel said regional community members should take the time to study the Green Paper, which provides wide-ranging information including how regional marine aquaculture plans will be developed, and policy options on how they will be implemented.
“I urge anyone with an interest in marine aquaculture to visit the Queensland Government's Get involved online community consultation website, which will host the Green Paper for six weeks from 11 January - 22 February 2007,” he said.
”The Get involved website has proven to be an innovative forum, making it easier for Queenslanders to have their say on issues of importance to them and their communities.”
Mr Mickel said the Queensland Government was committed to creating a vibrant, ecologically sustainable and valuable aquaculture industry, we want to position the Smart State to be a major player in Australia’s seafood industry estimated to be worth $2.1 billion dollars a year.( Domestic production of seafood is unable to meet domestic demand, and imports of seafood are currently worth $1.1 billion per annum and are increasing.(ABARE)
“For this reason, we encourage you to make a submission on the proposals in the Green Paper and get involved with setting the foundations for the development of this important and exciting emerging industry in Queensland.’’
To access the community consultation on the Marine Aquaculture Policy Green Paper and have your say online, visit the Get involved website at www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au
Minister Mickel media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349
DPI&F media contact: Kirsten Phillips: Communications Manager (Fisheries) 3224 7757.
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations and Acting Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries John Mickel said the Green Paper was an important step in the Queensland Government’s development of a policy and planning framework for the marine aquaculture industry.
Mr Mickel officially launched the paper at the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries’ Bribie Island Aquaculture Research Centre (BIARC).
“Aquaculture is an exciting emerging industry in Queensland, but we need a strong planning framework to ensure a balanced approach to economic development and environmental protection,” Mr Mickel said.
The Green Paper focuses on four key areas:
• attracting sustainable investment to the marine aquaculture industry;
• strategic planning for marine aquaculture industry development;
• managing environmental impacts for sustainable industry growth; and
• getting the balance right.
Fishing and aquaculture are Australia's fifth most valuable rural industry after wool, beef, wheat and dairy.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said there was great potential to increase the size of Queensland’s seafood industry and aquaculture sector.
“Queensland offers a host of advantages for marine aquaculture including clean, unpolluted waters, strict bio-security and some of the highest environmental standards in the world,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Queensland is also uniquely placed to take advantage of the major seafood markets in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Mr Mickel said aquaculture was a significant contributor to economic development in regional Queensland.
“Aquaculture is worth approximately $70 million to the Queensland economy each year.
“The industry provides skilled jobs for regional communities. Since 1999/2000 full time equivalent employment in the industry has increased from 424 to 689 positions,” Mr Mickel said.
Mr Mulherin added new technologies and research lead by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries aquaculture research centres were demonstrating that Queensland could lead the way with sustainability.
Mr Mickel said regional community members should take the time to study the Green Paper, which provides wide-ranging information including how regional marine aquaculture plans will be developed, and policy options on how they will be implemented.
“I urge anyone with an interest in marine aquaculture to visit the Queensland Government's Get involved online community consultation website, which will host the Green Paper for six weeks from 11 January - 22 February 2007,” he said.
”The Get involved website has proven to be an innovative forum, making it easier for Queenslanders to have their say on issues of importance to them and their communities.”
Mr Mickel said the Queensland Government was committed to creating a vibrant, ecologically sustainable and valuable aquaculture industry, we want to position the Smart State to be a major player in Australia’s seafood industry estimated to be worth $2.1 billion dollars a year.( Domestic production of seafood is unable to meet domestic demand, and imports of seafood are currently worth $1.1 billion per annum and are increasing.(ABARE)
“For this reason, we encourage you to make a submission on the proposals in the Green Paper and get involved with setting the foundations for the development of this important and exciting emerging industry in Queensland.’’
To access the community consultation on the Marine Aquaculture Policy Green Paper and have your say online, visit the Get involved website at www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au
Minister Mickel media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349
DPI&F media contact: Kirsten Phillips: Communications Manager (Fisheries) 3224 7757.