THE Great Sandy Marine Park is the only marine park that still allows commercial netting in what local rec fishers claim “should be” true yellow conservation zone areas.
The Fraser Coast Fishing Alliance Inc., the peak body representing the interests of recreational fishers across the Fraser Coast region, is fully supportive of the Great Sandy Marine Park [GSMP] but is very concerned that the anomaly that is the “Great Sandy Designated Area” does not match or comply with the major pillars and values of sustainability – environmental, economic, and social.
The Fraser Coast Fishing Alliance Inc. believes suitable zoning should ensure protection and sustainability of the values of the marine ecosystem that make this region so valuable. It also expects this will ensure continued sustainable use by recreational fishers.
Ending damaging commercial netting in the Great Sandy Marine Park – which has already been tentatively listed as a World Heritage Area – will bring a much needed boost to local rec fishers and the environment.
Presently, commercial nets are used to:
* Target spawning aggregations
* Target bream, whiting and flathead in conservation park yellow zones
* Target top level predators like mackerel, trevally, barramundi, threadfin salmon and shark
* Target low food value but high recreational fishing value fish like golden trevally, snub nosed dart (Permit), queenfish, giant herring, etc.
* Incidentally catch dugongs and marine turtles.
NOTE – The Great Sandy Designated Area incorporates areas of conservation park zones in:
* Baffle Creek & tributaries
* The Elliott River & tributaries
* The Burrum River & tributaries
* The Mary River & tributaries
* The Great Sandy Strait and Tin Can Bay Inlet
Sign this petition to request Dr Steven Miles, Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection and Minister for National Parks and the Great Barrier Reef, and the Palaszczuk State Government, to commit to ending destructive commercial netting operations in the Great Sandy Marine Park and adjacent waterways under the current full term 10 year review to restore fish stocks and help protect the Queensland urban coast’s largest dugong population.
This petition will be delivered to:
Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection and Minister for National Parks and the Great Barri
Hon Dr Steven Miles
Hon William (Bill) Byrne
Annastacia Palaszczuk
