Chairmans Report

News

Monthly Report by Chairman Sunfish, December 2011

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all
Xmas is fast approaching. This is a great time to relax with family and friends - and perhaps to do a little fishing. I sincerely thank all those many recreational fishers who have contributed to Sunfish in 2011. I look forward to another very productive and interesting year for Sunfish in 2012. I trust you all have a great festive season.

Simplification of recreational fishing bag limits and size limits
The Fisheries Minister, Craig Wallace, recently requested advice from Sunfish to him, on this issue. Sunfish Committee members and others had raised concerns with the Government about the growing complexity of regulations applying to recreational fishing in Queensland.

This issue is not a public discussion/consultation issue. It is merely a response by Sunfish to a reasonable request by the Minister. In accordance with our internal consultation procedure, an early draft was prepared with the aim of eventually producing a Sunfish policy position. Further consultation with the Sunfish member organisations and regional branches will be undertaken as soon as possible.

It is unfortunate that some confusion has occurred about how this issue was initiated, and the status of the early internal consultation draft produced by Sunfish. I request that we all cooperate in a professional way in our future actions on this matter.

Marine Park Conservation (Yellow) Zones/Commercial Bait Netting
Sunfish has done a lot on this over the past three years. Special thanks to Sunfish North Moreton for their efforts! It is disappointing that the use of small mesh nets by commercial fishers was not stopped in the yellow zones. However, we accept the ban on taking bream, whiting and flathead in yellow zones by using small mesh nets, and we make it clear that we will continue to pursue further restrictions on the use of these very destructive nets by commercial net fishers.

Angler Education activities
Of the 33 Lifestyle Kids Fishing Days for 2011/12, all but one have been allocated. We have completed 13 days at present and will have no difficulties completing the other 20 days in the New Year.

Take A Kid Fishing day will be held on March 25, 2012. Expressions of Interest will be called for early in the New Year.

Government review of the Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery
A Sunfish position paper is currently being developed on this. The draft will be sent to Sunfish contacts for input in the New Year.

Deformed Bream
Fisheries Queensland is holding a workshop shortly to discuss this issue. Sunfish will be represented by six persons. A report on the workshop outcomes will be prepared and distributed.

John Crone OAM, Chairman Sunfish Queensland, December, 2011