DPI&F fisheries resource manager Mark Lightowler said more than
40 meetings would be held throughout the state to gather public feedback on the proposals released in last month's Regulatory
Impact Statement (RIS).
"Stakeholders should by now have received an information package outlining
the consultation process and general information about the fishery and the management challenges," Mr Lightowler said.
"The meetings will be an opportunity for these stakeholders to discuss
the proposals and provide the department with feedback."
Mr Lightowler said the proposed changes focus on six important areas:
- new and amended size and bag limits for some species
- new management arrangements to protect shark
- changes to netting arrangements in dugong protection areas
- changes to commercial netting regulations
- changes to commercial in-possession limits for spotted mackerel
- a small number of new or amended closures.
"While commercial and recreational fishers are expected to make up
the majority of the audience at the meetings, all stakeholders who have an interest in this fishery, including tourism operators,
local councils and the Indigenous community, are invited to attend to discuss future management arrangements," Mr Lightowler
said.
The RIS is available on the DPI&F website and information packs on the RIS
have also been mailed out to a range of stakeholder groups throughout the state.
For more information on the East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery consultation
or for regular updates subscribe to the e-newsletter on the DPI&F website. Alternatively, contact DPI&F on 13 25 23.
The Queensland East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery stretches from
Cape York to the Queensland-New South Wales border. The main species taken include many of Queensland's most popular fish
species such as barramundi, threadfins, several mackerel species, tailor, whiting, bream, flathead, shark and sea mullet.
