Published Saturday, 30 August, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Securing Fisheries For Queensland’s Future
The Queensland Parliament has passed Fishing Legislation amendments which provide balance between sustainable fisheries management and recognition of the traditional and customary fishing practices of Indigenous Queenslanders.
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said the Bligh Government moved to provide clarity following a decision of the Queensland Court of Appeal (Stevenson v Yasso, 2006).
“We have worked with the Indigenous community to refine the amendments to better maintain the strong connection between fishing and traditional culture, balanced with long-term sustainability,” Mr Mulherin said.
“The amendment now covers fourteen areas where vulnerable fish stocks can continue to thrive because all fishing activity, including traditional fishing, will be prohibited.
“Indigenous fishers can continue to fish using non-commercial apparatus in accordance with their tradition in all other waters.
“A new regulation will list Indigenous fishing devices which will enable those fishers to use non-commercial traditional fishing apparatus.
“This will recognise the importance of their traditional and customary fishing activities.
“The Department will be working with Indigenous communities in the coming months to determine the appropriate list of prescribed traditional fishing apparatus.
“The new regulation will ensure that all fishing, whether traditional or other, is done in a sustainable way, so that future generations of Queenslanders can enjoy abundant natural fisheries resources.”
Details of the proposed amendments were sent to 90 groups and individuals, including traditional owner groups and Land Councils at State and National level during consultation.
Mr Mulherin said in conjunction with the legislative changes, the State Government would negotiate an Indigenous Land Use Agreement with the Darumbal people in the Rockhampton area.
“This would ensure that the Darumbal people are actively involved in decisions about traditional fishing,” Mr Mulherin said.
The amendments will enhance sustainable use of Queensland’s fisheries.
“The changes spell out what apparatus can be used and where people can fish which provides clarity for all Queenslanders,” Mr Mulherin said.
“The Government will work with traditional owners to implement these solutions, and ensure a fair and sustainable future for the state’s fisheries that all Queenslanders can enjoy.”
Amendments include
• Permits to be made available to allow use of other fishing devices to ensure appropriate supplies for Indigenous ceremonial and cultural events.
• Traditional apparatus to be described in the Fisheries Regulation 2008.
• Consultation with Indigenous community about traditional apparatus – list to be finalised in coming months
• 14 areas (list attached) where all fishing activity is currently prohibited will be extended to include the Indigenous fishing.
• These areas are closed to prevent over-fishing where fish spawn or gather as juveniles to protect species during vulnerable life cycle stages.
• In all other areas, fishing for personal, domestic and non-commercial communal purposes will not warrant the use of commercial apparatus.
• South Mitchell River removed as a prohibited zone and traditional apparatus allowed.
• The Legislation already describes devices available for all recreational fishers:
* Cast net up to 3.7 metres
* Scoop net up to 2 metres
* Seine net up to 16 metres
* A maximum of four crab pots, dillies or collapsible traps
* Three fishing lines with no more than six hooks
* A handheld fork for taking worms
* Hand pump for yabbies
* Shell dredge for molluscs, and
* Spear or spear gun
14 areas where fishing activity is now prohibited and will be extended to apply to traditional fishing
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister’s Office
Media: 3239 6530
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said the Bligh Government moved to provide clarity following a decision of the Queensland Court of Appeal (Stevenson v Yasso, 2006).
“We have worked with the Indigenous community to refine the amendments to better maintain the strong connection between fishing and traditional culture, balanced with long-term sustainability,” Mr Mulherin said.
“The amendment now covers fourteen areas where vulnerable fish stocks can continue to thrive because all fishing activity, including traditional fishing, will be prohibited.
“Indigenous fishers can continue to fish using non-commercial apparatus in accordance with their tradition in all other waters.
“A new regulation will list Indigenous fishing devices which will enable those fishers to use non-commercial traditional fishing apparatus.
“This will recognise the importance of their traditional and customary fishing activities.
“The Department will be working with Indigenous communities in the coming months to determine the appropriate list of prescribed traditional fishing apparatus.
“The new regulation will ensure that all fishing, whether traditional or other, is done in a sustainable way, so that future generations of Queenslanders can enjoy abundant natural fisheries resources.”
Details of the proposed amendments were sent to 90 groups and individuals, including traditional owner groups and Land Councils at State and National level during consultation.
Mr Mulherin said in conjunction with the legislative changes, the State Government would negotiate an Indigenous Land Use Agreement with the Darumbal people in the Rockhampton area.
“This would ensure that the Darumbal people are actively involved in decisions about traditional fishing,” Mr Mulherin said.
The amendments will enhance sustainable use of Queensland’s fisheries.
“The changes spell out what apparatus can be used and where people can fish which provides clarity for all Queenslanders,” Mr Mulherin said.
“The Government will work with traditional owners to implement these solutions, and ensure a fair and sustainable future for the state’s fisheries that all Queenslanders can enjoy.”
Amendments include
• Permits to be made available to allow use of other fishing devices to ensure appropriate supplies for Indigenous ceremonial and cultural events.
• Traditional apparatus to be described in the Fisheries Regulation 2008.
• Consultation with Indigenous community about traditional apparatus – list to be finalised in coming months
• 14 areas (list attached) where all fishing activity is currently prohibited will be extended to include the Indigenous fishing.
• These areas are closed to prevent over-fishing where fish spawn or gather as juveniles to protect species during vulnerable life cycle stages.
• In all other areas, fishing for personal, domestic and non-commercial communal purposes will not warrant the use of commercial apparatus.
• South Mitchell River removed as a prohibited zone and traditional apparatus allowed.
• The Legislation already describes devices available for all recreational fishers:
* Cast net up to 3.7 metres
* Scoop net up to 2 metres
* Seine net up to 16 metres
* A maximum of four crab pots, dillies or collapsible traps
* Three fishing lines with no more than six hooks
* A handheld fork for taking worms
* Hand pump for yabbies
* Shell dredge for molluscs, and
* Spear or spear gun
14 areas where fishing activity is now prohibited and will be extended to apply to traditional fishing
- Coombabah Lake and Coombabah Creek
- Keppel Bay within 150m radius of Middle Island Underwater Observatory
- Swan Bay, North Stradbroke Island
- Hook Island within 100m radius of Observatory
- Wolf Rock (east of Double Island Point)
- Yanks Jetty at Orpheus Island – under or within 100m of jetty
- Mary River 400m downstream of the barrage
- Centenary Lakes, Cairns
- Tinana Creek 400m downstream of the barrage
- Barron River at Barron Waters (near Stony Creek and junction of Camp Oven Creek)
- Burnett River 400m downstream of the barrage
- Bizant River, Princess Charlotte Bay – including German Bar Lagoon and 2km downstream of German Bar road crossing
- Kolan River 400m downstream of the barrage
- Fitzroy River 400m downstream of the barrage
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister’s Office
Media: 3239 6530