...or anyone who fishes in QLD or has an interest in fisheries management.

The state government is doing a big review of the east coast 'inshore fin fish fishery management plan.' I think this means all salt water fish in the estuaries and shallow ocean waters, which covers most of the seafood caught. I suspect they are going to put in a heap of marine parks (no fishing zones) from the NSW border up to the Great Barrier Reef marine park network.

So far they have held a lot of public meetings up and down the state. They are now calling for written submissions. It sounds like all options are being considered so now is the time to put forward any ideas you have. Submissions close February 7 2007. You can get on the email list for regular updates by emailing YOUR-SAY@lists.dpi.QLD.GOV.AU

Download the feedback form, all responses are to be returned to DPI&F by close of business Wednesday 7 February 2007:
http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/extra/pdf/fishweb/inshorequestionnaire.pdf

summary of meetings:
http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/extra/pdf/fishweb/consultationsummary.pdf
details from meetings:
http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb/18650.html

scientific info and monitoring:
http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb/18684.html

The latest email: (see above for the links)

Queensland the Smart State

Issue 3, 2006

Editor: Kirsten Phillips
kirsten.phillips@dpi.qld.gov.au

Questionnaire out now

DPI&F have progressed to the next phase of community consultation, and are now gathering detailed written responses from the public on the key issues identified during the stakeholder meetings. A questionnaire has been developed to collect this information, giving people who couldn't attend meetings an opportunity to comment. The questionnaire also raises issues that may not have been covered at some of the meetings. Responses to the questionnaire will be used as a guide to develop management options.

The questionnaire has been mailed out to those who attended meetings, licence holders and other stakeholders, but is also available online to download. All responses are to be returned to DPI&F by close of business Wednesday 7 February 2007. Download here

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Stakeholder meetings results
A summary of the key issues raised at the recent stakeholder meetings is now available online. The summary provides a general overview of the meetings so you can identify key issues at a glance and can be downloaded here

For more detailed information, members of the public can access the record of each individual meeting here

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Management based on good science
There was clear support for management of the fishery based on solid science at recent stakeholder meetings.

In order to keep everyone informed about the type of scientific information available for the fishery, DPI&F has developed a summary of the scientific information available for the fishery. This includes stock assessments, independent monitoring, compulsory logbooks, research projects and recreational catch data collection. The summary will provide useful links to where stakeholders can find more information and can be downloaded here

DPI&F and the Inshore Fin Fish Management Advisory Committee will use this and any other relevant information in considering options for the future management of the fishery.

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We thank you
We'd like to thank everyone who attended the recent stakeholder meetings and provided constructive advice about the fishery. DPI&F has found the meetings to be highly effective and their success has demonstrated the value of stakeholder consultation early in the process of developing a management plan.

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Quick fact
Mangrove jack don't spawn in inshore areas and mature fish are only found on the reef. The size at maturity for mangrove jack is around 46cm for males and 52 cm for females and the current minimum size limit is 35cm.

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Disclaimer - The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland, has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that the information contained in this publication was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should ensure that they make appropriate enquiries to determine whether new information is available on the particular subject matter.