MEDIA RELEASE 14/10/15

 
Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance has welcomed parliaments decision last night to implement  three commercial gill net- free zones in Queensland  namely Trinity Bay,  Cairns, St. Helens to Cape Hillsborough, Mackay and The Fitzroy River Rockhampton and part of  Keppel Bay.
 
  Spokesperson for the group Lance Murray said a dedicated Group of community minded volunteers have been working on the St. Helens- Cape Hillsborough net free zone for well over sixteen years, this is our gift to the next generation of fishers.  While the trawl and reef line fisheries had been significantly reformed, the inshore fish and crab fisheries had been consistently and inexplicably overlooked by successive governments and Fisheries Departments for decades. 
 
“The result of this long overdue initiative will see fish stocks start to rebuild in these areas and recreational fishers in the future, able to enjoy a day’s fishing with the family with a very good chance of catching enough fish for a decent feed,”” Lance Murray said.  This Net Free Zone is also a win for our iconic marine animals, dugongs, turtles and dolphins.
 
Mr. Murray said their volunteer group has had to contend with some very hostile media on their journey and unfortunately the truth by some sectors was the first casualty.  It was reported to the recent parliamentary Agriculture and Environment committee public hearing into the introduction of the net free zones that by weight the three combined net free zones would have an 8% impact on east coast net fishery, 6% of the Queensland (total) including the Gulf of Carpentaria.   1 % of the Queensland Seafood production, and 0.1% of the Australian seafood, 33% of the Queensland (East Coast) barramundi catch and 13 % of the total Queensland catch.   Most people are unaware that our premium seafood is exported he added. Australia is a net importer of seafood the bulk of which is clean/green product from New Zealand, and not from Asia as those opposed to the net free zones would have you believe.
 
Two weeks ago Mackay Recreational Fisher friends and associates conducted a weekend catch and release fishing exercise to ascertain base line data and the health or other wise of the proposed net free zone fish stocks, despite not perfect weather and fishing conditions some initial research have revealed some alarming statics.  In brief 128 hours were invested, 99 fish were caught of which just 16 were legal take size, and that equates to one fish every 77 minutes, that’s not flash, but not unexpected according to MRFA president Lance Murray following a 609 % increase in commercial netting effort from 2012 to 2014 (these figures were derived from commercial netter log book returns to Fisheries Queensland.)
 
Before the benefits of the net free zone can be realized we desperately need rain to increase fish stock numbers, MRFA will be conducting ongoing stock assessment data research on an annual basis to measure any improvement in fish numbers. Our group is currently refining a Code of Conduct, the idea of which is to give the Mackay and district anglers ownership of the net free zone, and also to encourage recreational fishers   not to raid the kiddies piggy bank, if everyone treats the net free zone as their private fishing paradise over a period of time fish stocks will replenish to a state of abundance, and then only then can we make claim to Mackay being the ‘fishing destination of Queensland’.
 
The district will then harness the economic benefits the net free zone has to offer. The tourism numbers are expected to increase which will lead to new jobs opportunities as well as important tourist dollars being spent locally.  
 
End of media release; for further information please contact Lance Murray 0411 550 684 or John Bennett 0408 844610. 

Click here to hear an interview with Lance Murray

Seafood industry hands petition to Queensland Parliament with 20,162 signatures opposing new net-free zones

A petition containing 20,162 signatures was tabled in Queensland's Parliament yesterday, objecting to a plan for three net-free fishing zones in the state.

It brings the total to 27,670 signatures, across five petitions, presented to the Parliament since July.

The commercial fishing industry says the signatures show public support for their campaign against the three zones, due to be established from November 1.

Mackay Reef Fish Suppliers owner, David Caracciolo, said there is still a chance the State Government will reverse its decision.

"What [the petition] tells me is that the people of Queensland really want to maintain their seafood supply," he said.

"They've had enough of closures and political decisions that regulate primary producers' lives.

"This is a political decision, it's not a resource driven decision."

The Labor party announced, during the state election campaign in January, it would introduce the three net-free fishing zones.

There are in the Cairns, Mackay/Whitsunday, and Rockhampton regions.

Recreational fishing groups have been pushing for the policy for years, saying it would boost stocks of large breeding fish and lay the platform for a new era of fishing-tourism.

Commercial fishing groups argue the zones are not necessary and will affect supplies of local seafood, as well as putting some fishers and related operators out of business.

Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance president, Lance Murray, said he did not question the accuracy of the 27, 670 signatures, but he did argue the petition needed to be viewed in context.

"From what we understand, we assume the bulk of these [signatures] were collected at the Hervey bay Seafood Festival, which is some 396 kilometres away from the nearest net-free zone," he said.

"We are not questioning the amount of support they have got, it's just what was the question that was asked, because there has been a varying debate on this.

"Locally, it is about the supply of locally caught fresh fish, but we understand that the festival in Hervey Bay was about seafood, and seafood incorporates prawns, crabs, etcetera, etcetera."

The petition was compiled by Queensland Seafood Industry Association, which rejected Mr Murray's criticism of the process and said the signatures were collected across the state.

Opposition spokesperson for fisheries, Deb Frecklington, tabled the petition and told Parliament the Government was "blatantly ignoring scientific advice from their own fisheries department" in moving ahead with the policy.

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Bill Byrne has been adamant since the election that the three net-free zones would go ahead.

Mr Murray said Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance had been running a petition in support of the net-free zones and had collected 4550 signatures in the Mackay region in five and half weeks.

Findings from a recently completed survey of the availability of fresh fish through 44 different outlets across Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast have raised serious questions about claims that people across Queensland would lose access to fresh fish if proposed Net Free Areas went ahead. Nathan Johnston, a spokesperson for Nets Out Queensland Campaign said “We knew that the claims of fish disappearing from the shelf were dubious, but even we were a bit surprised at the results” “Of the 18 supermarkets, clubs, pubs and taverns surveyed, no fresh fish product was offered for sale that was identified as being sourced from the proposed new Net Free Area”. “Of the 14 fish and chip stores surveyed, there was only one instance of fish being for sale identified as being sourced from the proposed Net Free Area.” “Of the 10 restaurants surveyed, only 2 had fresh fish product offered for sale potentially being sourced from the proposed Net Free Area.” Mr Johnston said. “If a customer wanted to source fresh fish from the local areas it appears the retail specialist seafood outlets are the place to go, with the two establishments surveyed both offering fish sourced from the proposed Net Free Area at the time of survey, but they also offered a range of fish species for sale sourced from areas outside the proposed new Net Free Areas.” Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast are directly adjacent to the largest of the 3 proposed Net Free Areas. It is also the area that produces 250 of 319 tonne of the fish netted from the three areas combined. “With Rockhampton and Capricorn coast being directly adjacent to the most productive of the three net free areas, we were expecting to see a lot more local product being offered for sale than was actually the case”. “The reality was that only one in nine instances of fish being offered for sale potentially came from the proposed net free area” “One can expect that this low prevalence of fresh local fish would slip back even further as you move away from adjacent areas.’ Mr Johnston said. Only 319 of over 10,500 tonne of Queensland’s total fish catch and production is currently sourced using gill nets in the three proposed net free areas. At the national level, these areas only account for 0.2% of Australia’s 163,811 tonnes total annual fish catch and production. The survey data also revealed that a significant segment of the market is seeking out high quality Australian farmed products like Atlantic salmon, which was available from 25% of all outlets surveyed. For the last decade Australians have been enjoying fresh farmed fish like barramundi and Atlantic salmon produced in aquaculture facilities across Australia. This has led to major and continuing expansion in the industry to help meet demand. “Our survey has found that closing three small sections to commercial netting will not result in the disappearance of fish from our shops. Queensland’s coastline extends almost 7,000 kilometres, most of which would remain open to commercial gill netting operations.” Mr Johnston said “We are deeply concerned about a recent disallowance motion tabled by LNP” “This motion aims to block regulations that would have led to the introduction of these net free areas” “A petition developed to bring about this disallowance motion was based on the availability of fresh fish and we are concerned the people of Queensland are forming their opinions on misleading information.” Nets Out Queensland campaign believe this may only be the tip of the iceberg, when it comes to recent claims and encourages members of the community, the media and politicians to carefully scrutinise the survey and other information on the matter and judge for themselves where the truth lies. The full report is available at www.netsoutqld.org ENDS Media Contact: Nathan Johnston Nets Out Queensland Campaign Spokesperson 0400221055

July 2015 Newsletter 


Members and supporters, welcome to our July 2015 newsletter.

KIDS ONLY FISHING COMPETITION
Just a reminder that Tackle World Mackay and MRFA are conducting their annual KIDS ONLY fishing competition in the Pioneer River, Sunday the 16th of August.
$4000 worth of prizes are up for grabs, including  some fantastic rod/reel combo’s, lures, terminal tackle, in fact each child who participates will win a prize, this is Neil and Helen Elworthy way of thanking Mackay for their support over the years.
Entry is free, BUT CONDITIONAL on prior registration at Tackle World, all entries must be signed by a parent/guardian, each child will be presented with a wrist band which must be worn and presented at the measure-in at the River Street boat ramp from between 3:00 to 3:30 pm on Sunday the 16th of August.
To ensure fairness and to give everyone a fair go, major winners will be selected on determined lengths as opposed to weight or numbers, only species caught in the Pioneer River are eligible to be entered (no mackerels – coral fin species).
 
NET- FREE ZONE DEVELOPMENTS
If all goes to schedule the implementation date will be the 1st of November 2015.  The have your say results have been made public with 96% of respondents in favour if the NFZ with 4% against.   Commercial fishers are waging a mighty battle (the truth being the first casualty).  Commercial fishers have solicited the support of the LNP to oppose the NFZ regulation when tabled in parliament.  This will be tabled as we understand mid-September.
MRFA would like to thank the Member for Whitsunday Jason Costigan for his support with the St. Helens to Cape Hillsborough NFZ. 
Following is a section of his letter to the MRAG (independent review into Queensland Fisheries Regulations) dated 30/10/2014.   
Dear Sir / Madam
As the Government MP who represents Mackay and the Whitsundays, I would like to register my support for a net-free zone, as proposed by the Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance. So long as there is adequate compensation for impacted commercial fishers, I believe the concept has enormous merit and will result in growing our all-important tourism industry, which is critical given the current downturn in the resources sector in the Mackay-Whitsunday region.
I strongly commend the Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance on their proposal and as stated earlier, so long as the few remaining commercial operators who work in this area are given the opportunity to exit the industry with dignity, by way of appropriate compensation, then the net-free zone is something that should be embraced for the overall benefit of our region.
 
Furthermore, I believe there is strong, local community support for the net-free zone, and as a former resident of Seaforth, which is located along this stretch of coast, I know full well that residents, as well as tourists, are keen to see it approved by an LNP Government.
 
 
NET- FREE PETITION SEEKING YOUR SUPPORT 
As a demonstration of community support four of our net – free committee members attended the June Seaforth markets and in only four hours obtained 729 petition signatures of support. 
We have also obtained 1200 signatures of support while attending the Kuttabul Big Boar Competition. 
Every single vote of support is worth its weight in gold.  Please click on the following link and fill in the online petition.  http://netsoutqld.org
 
INVITATION TO ASSIST IN COLLECTING BASE LINE DATA.  
As part of the introduction of the NFZ, MRFA is conducting a fish data collection weekend on the 3rd and 4th of October.  We are hoping that 100 anglers participate, there are no prizes, we are asking anglers to fish anywhere in the proposed NFZ and record their catch on documentation (supplied by us).  Not catching any fish is just as important.
The data collected will be provided to Bill Sawynock from Info- Fish Services Rockhampton who is worldwide acknowledged in regards to fish data with over 30 years’ experience and 1.2 million fish in their data base.  
We intend to conduct annual catch data collection to measure fish stock recruitment numbers.  
If you can assist please contact Luke via email luke@lukesfishinmission.com
If you plan to camp over at the  Seaforth camping grounds for the event we will pick up the tab, depending on numbers plans are well advanced for us to cater for dinner and breakfast at a moderate cost.
 
MRAG   (independent review into Qld Fishers)
Our comprehensive response has been submitted in line with that as adopted by QRFN (Queensland Recreational Fishers network) copies are available on request.
 
SCHOOL FISH PROJECTS
Heads down, bums up, so far this year we are  committed with the following school fish angler education programs; Mercy College, 160  children, ( full fishing day activities  3rd/4th of September), Holy Spirit, 21st August  25 children, Whitsunday Anglican ( date to be confirmed ) 50 –60 children.   If you can lend a hand please contact please phone Michael Connelly on 49 548 961 or Glenn Fahy 49550665.
 
MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS 
Will be emailed where possible otherwise posted, those who have joined in the past six months will not be receiving a renewal notice.
 
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Our AGM will be held on Wednesday the 19th of August at the Mackay Conservation Groups admin building southern end of wood Street Mackay commencing at 7p.m. sharp, financial members and visitors most welcome.
 
JULY MEETING BRIEF
Website facelift; It was agreed that we need to update our website, this will be work in progress for the next two months as the NFZ is our priority.
Don’t forget to like us on Facebook as we are regularly updating the page.
 
Thanks MRFA.

 Annual Report 2014

Members and Friends, welcome to the 2014 Annual Report for Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance Inc.  -   Putting true meaning into ‘fishing for the future’ and putting our ‘money where our mouth is.’ 

Two major projects have consumed most of our time and lots of dollars.

Early this year, Tilapia were discovered in the Gooseponds. Tilapia are acknowledged as one of the most invasive fish in the world. Tilapia have the ability to seriously impact our barramundi. If introduced to our local stocked impoundments, they could create havoc and put at risk the volunteer efforts of the Mackay Area Fish Stocking Association stocking our regional dams with 20 years of hard work.

Two options were placed on the table to rid our waterways of the tilapia. The first was to poison the waterways, the second to opt for a biological trial releasing of thousands of barramundi.

On expert advice, it was suggested that the Gooseponds be seeded with 1000  barra 300 mm long, with a further release of 1000  slightly smaller fish upstream of the Gooseponds in Jane Creek- the headwaters to the Gooseponds.

The most important consideration of all was that TIME was not on our side. These tilapia are currently  confined – until the first flood that is. After dozens of phone calls and in the space of less than a week,  $8,000.00  was raised by way of sponsorship ( MRFA taking the lead role contributing $2,500.00) and dozens of anglers( the Tilapia Army) from all walks of life put their hands up to help.

The Mackay Area Fish  Stocking Association have released the initial 1000 Barra. I must say working with Keith Day is a pleasure. I might add that if I were on the battle front down to my last two bullets, I would want   Keith Day by my side. We would both survive the onslaught and come out unscathed. 

There is a long way to go until we rid these waterways of these pests, but I tell you working in partnership with MAFSA has been a pleasure and hopefully with the assistance of those with more knowledge and skills we will rid our waterways of these pests before Xmas this year.

At this stage Reef Catchments who are co-coordinating the eradication program will have a working bee, to be scheduled for a date to be advised where the Tilapia Army will join forces to remove the tilapia habitat.

NET FREE PROPOSAL: St. Helens – Cape Hillsborough.

Another project where we have worked in partnership, thousands of hours and dollars have been invested into this alone in the past year, if we can pull this off ( if local and state governments make business decisions based on facts ) our Net Free zone will put Mackay on the map for other reasons

than coal and sugar, our REMPLAN  economic model indicates such a proposal is a “no brainer”  creating well over one hundred jobs and injecting extra millions into the Mackay economy.

Win lose or draw, those who have assisted over the years will be able to look in the mirror and say we did our very best to make this happen in our life time.

To  those who have been on this project from day one, namely Geoff Walsh, ( 16 years ) Darrell Mclennan  12 years , John Formosa since day dot, and newcomers  Paul Formosa, Mick O’Donnell  and   Ben Atherton special thanks , we also acknowledge  the support of  Mackay Tourism Limited, Mackay  Region Chamber of Commerce,  Yuibera  Traditional Owners,  Caravan  Parks Assoc. of Qld Inc.  Caravan, R.V. & Accommodation  Industry of Australia Ltd,  The Seaforth  Progress Association,  The Seaforth Boating Club, and the Mackay Amateur  Fishing Clubs association.

We also say thanks to those unknown who have assisted in the collection of thousands of names for our petition document.

At this stage we have an appointment with Qld Fisheries Minister  Dr. John McVeigh in early September. After this meeting we will release our economic study for all to see. Hopefully we will have an influx of community business leaders come on board to harness the economic benefits our community will enjoy. 

ANGLER EDUCATION: Going from strength to strength under the leadership of Glenn Fahy and Michael Connelly.

By years end  nearly three  hundred children ( not including the 156 who registered at our annual Family Fishing Day and the two hundred or so who participated in our Tackle World Mackay kids only fishing competition  )  will have been through our school fish program  and  for those who caught their very first fish at our event they will have a lifetime of memories.

Success stories like this need two ingredients, people and money. Two Mackay locally owned and operated companies have assisted us financially  big time, namely Tackle World Mackay and Reef Marine.  

The  following  have assisted with our angler education programs during the year and we say thanks to.  Ron “Mengie”  Meng , Ralph Furlong,  Jim Ryman, David and Margaret Hope,   Michael Connelly, John Blaxland, Doreen Townson, John Cant, Brian Shepherd, Russell and Karen Manley, Michael Wynne, Sarina commercial crabber Greg Sichter, whose skills and knowledge about crabbing matters are worth their weight in gold, and members of the Mackay Apex Club who undertake catering duties at our annual Family Fishing Day at Shoal Point.

OUR FINANCIAL SITUATION:

Our secretary/treasurer Margaret Hope holds the key to our very healthy piggy bank, and our current financial situation is a credit to her diligence. If you want to spend money in this organization there needs to be more than one very good reason.

We hope our investment in promoting our net free zone and contribution to the tilapia eradication pay handsome dividends to our members /sponsors and members of the community.

 
MEMBERSHIP:  We are proud to announce that our membership is 416.


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS :  MRFA   wish to take this opportunity to thank  the following people and organizations for their  assistance during the past 12 months, namely George Christensen, M.P.  Federal  Member for  Dawson who promised and delivered a substantial  financial contribution  to ensure we have  sufficient economic funds for new and replacement fishing gear for years to come, to Tim Mulherin  M.P. State member for Mackay for his kind donation to the tilapia eradication  program , to the editor  N.Q  fish and Boat  for their balanced reporting of issues such as our commercial net free project, to Meech  Philpot and Kim  Kleidon of  ABC Radio, David  Perkins  ( 

Perko ) 1026 am  radio , community radio  4CRM, to the Daily  Mercury and Midweek newspapers and   the Mackay Regional Council, in particular the infrastructure and engineering departments who are pro active when it comes to recreational fishing facilities within its jurisdiction. 

PARTNERSHIPS: 

Many of our projects have the moral support of Queensland Recreational Fishers network ( website  qrfn.org ) we continuously get messages of encouragement from the foundation members.  As mentioned before we have teamed up with the Mackay Area Fish Stocking Association. This informal arrangement was able to achieve wonders in relation to the tilapia outbreak in  a relatively small space of time. Our partnership arrangement with the   Midge Point fishing and social club “Family Fishing Day” at Midge Point   was an outstanding success.


COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

To our committee members I extend thanks, many have turned up  faithfully for monthly meetings even on state of origin nights, some with golfing aliments and others with aches and pains that come  when one has  few too many  miles on the clock.
 

CONCLUSION :

Twice in as many months  I  have had people , one I  have known for years stop me and tell me, keep up the good work, one said, I  don’t exactly  know what you do, but  I  want to become involved, the other owns a local  hotel  and   retail liquor outlet, he wants me to call in one day to discuss how he can assist by way of sponsorship.  I told him at this time we don’t need dollars just like minded people to lift the load on our exhausted group of committee members.

NEW BLOOD:

Our future is in the hands of another generation, we MUST commit more energies to seeking new blood to take this fantastic volunteer organization to a new level of excellence.

Please share  our 2014 Annual Report with friends and associates – that’s how we grow !

REMINDER:  Don’t forget to attend the Queensland Fisheries Management Review public meeting -  to be held at the PCYC hall, off Norris Road on Monday, September 15 at 6pm.

 PS   A message to our political leaders -  There is no shortage of Remarkable Ideas, what’s missing is the will to execute them ......Seth  Godin