Published Tuesday, 03 February, 2009 at 05:18 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Fish gain football fields of protected living space
Embargoed 6:00am 4 February 2009
On the 23 January 1969, following a submission by the Treasury the Queensland Government established the State’s first seven declared fish habitat areas in the Moreton Bay region.
The Moreton Bay habitats were recognized as essential in sustaining the fish stocks that supported Queensland’s fisheries.
They were originally known as Fisheries Habitat Reserves under the Fisheries Regulation.
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin is today celebrating 40 years since the first Declared Fish Habitat areas were put in place across Queensland in 1969.
More than 120,000 stadium sized football fields of prime fish breeding and feeding habitats is now protected.
“Declared Fish Habitat Areas provide essential fish habitats with long-term protection from development impacts,” Mr Muherin said.
“Whether you just like wetting a line in Queensland or you rely on fisheries for your livelihood, fishers should recognise that these areas are an important investment in our State’s fishing future.
“The areas provide a staggering estimated value of 40 billion dollars per year in ecosystem services to the Queensland economy.”
DPI&F principal scientist John Beumer said Queensland now had over 70 declared Fish Habitat Areas.
“The network of protected areas has continued to grow over the years with 880,000 hectares now protected across the State,” Dr Beumer said.
“Many people are not aware that declared Fish Habitat Areas not only directly support fishing industries but they also indirectly support many fisheries sectors such as the maritime and seafood industries including boat builders and bait and tackle shops.
“People also commonly think that declared Fish Habitat Areas are off limits to recreational fishing – but this is not the case. The areas have excellent fishing grounds and are open to all forms of legal fishing.”
Mr Mulherin also announced that a package of declared Fish Habitat Area amendments is due to be approved in the coming months.
“The package will include the re-declaration of seven Fish Habitat Areas,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Re-declared areas will include Carmila, Cape Palmerston, Marion, Rocky Dam and West Hill in the Mackay region, Corio Bay near Rockhampton and the Susan River near Maryborough.
“The amendments are part of the annual program to re-declare all existing Fish Habitat Areas to tenure boundaries, amendments that will see some areas increase in size.
“When the changes come into effect it will increase certainty over declared Fish Habitat Area boundaries and support improved management effectiveness.”
For more information contact the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23 or visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au.
Media DPI&F – Kirsten Phillips 0439 875 593
Media: Matt Watson 3239 3120
Media Opportunity: Tour of declared fish habitat area
When: 4 February 2009
Time: 9:30am
Where: Osprey House
Dohles Rocks Road
Griffin
On the 23 January 1969, following a submission by the Treasury the Queensland Government established the State’s first seven declared fish habitat areas in the Moreton Bay region.
The Moreton Bay habitats were recognized as essential in sustaining the fish stocks that supported Queensland’s fisheries.
They were originally known as Fisheries Habitat Reserves under the Fisheries Regulation.
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin is today celebrating 40 years since the first Declared Fish Habitat areas were put in place across Queensland in 1969.
More than 120,000 stadium sized football fields of prime fish breeding and feeding habitats is now protected.
“Declared Fish Habitat Areas provide essential fish habitats with long-term protection from development impacts,” Mr Muherin said.
“Whether you just like wetting a line in Queensland or you rely on fisheries for your livelihood, fishers should recognise that these areas are an important investment in our State’s fishing future.
“The areas provide a staggering estimated value of 40 billion dollars per year in ecosystem services to the Queensland economy.”
DPI&F principal scientist John Beumer said Queensland now had over 70 declared Fish Habitat Areas.
“The network of protected areas has continued to grow over the years with 880,000 hectares now protected across the State,” Dr Beumer said.
“Many people are not aware that declared Fish Habitat Areas not only directly support fishing industries but they also indirectly support many fisheries sectors such as the maritime and seafood industries including boat builders and bait and tackle shops.
“People also commonly think that declared Fish Habitat Areas are off limits to recreational fishing – but this is not the case. The areas have excellent fishing grounds and are open to all forms of legal fishing.”
Mr Mulherin also announced that a package of declared Fish Habitat Area amendments is due to be approved in the coming months.
“The package will include the re-declaration of seven Fish Habitat Areas,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Re-declared areas will include Carmila, Cape Palmerston, Marion, Rocky Dam and West Hill in the Mackay region, Corio Bay near Rockhampton and the Susan River near Maryborough.
“The amendments are part of the annual program to re-declare all existing Fish Habitat Areas to tenure boundaries, amendments that will see some areas increase in size.
“When the changes come into effect it will increase certainty over declared Fish Habitat Area boundaries and support improved management effectiveness.”
For more information contact the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23 or visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au.
Media DPI&F – Kirsten Phillips 0439 875 593
Media: Matt Watson 3239 3120
Media Opportunity: Tour of declared fish habitat area
When: 4 February 2009
Time: 9:30am
Where: Osprey House
Dohles Rocks Road
Griffin