PRESS RELEASE
Vern
Veitch
Chair
SUNFISH
NQ Inc.
4
Stagpole Street
West
End Qld 4810
Email: vernv@sunfish.org.au
Ph:07 4771 6087
Fax:07 4771 6034
Mobile: 0418 729496
15 January, 2000
The claim by Grahame Denovan in the Townsville Bulletin on Friday January 4, 2000 that “Recreational fishing pressure had increased dramatically over the last 20 years” in relation to reef fishing is clearly misleading and cannot be substantiated.
Recreational fishing pressure on the reef has declined significantly over the last decade and is now less than ½ of what it was 10 years ago. Since the late 1980’s, recreational fishers have willingly given up the right that was previously legal, to sell their “Excess catch” and had also agreed to the introduction of bag limits in 1993.
In the same time period, the declared commercial harvest of fish has more than doubled to over 3 250 tonne of fish (Queensland Fish Management Authority Draft Coral Reef Fin Fish Management Plan 1999 Schedule 3 Section 4). Recreational fishers are responsible for less than 20% of the total number of Coral Trout caught with the commercial catch believed to be over 1500 tonne and the recreational catch of approximately 300 000 fish (with an estimated weight of less than 300 tonne) (QFMA RFish Database Report 1999).
The cost of owning and operating a large boat suitable for reef trips has escalated out of reach of the majority of recreational fishers over the last decade. For most recreational fishers it is simply cost prohibitive to own and operate a 6 metre or larger boat. In addition, the weather has caused even larger boats over 10 metres including commercial charter operators to cancel many trips over the last 12 months.
Clearly,
pulse fishing by the commercial sector is the primary cause of stock depletion.
Commercial fishers are fishing themselves out of the fishery. This is an
industry that clearly needs restrictive regulations such as zoning to protect
the fish stocks from plunder by money hungry individuals who care more about
their pockets than the long term sustainability of the fishery.
For further information, contact Vern Veitch on 4771 6087 or 0418 729496.