Who is Prepared to Lend a Helping Hand?

So many times I have heard "If only I had know" or "what the #*#*#* ! who said I can't fish there"

All around the country our recreational fishing resource are being eroded away, restricted or just completely closed and without so much as a whimper from us unless it is in our own backyard.

Well here is a chance for us all to help out our fellow Queenslanders to protect their interests and become involved with future planing of the fishing and recreational resource. You never know there might be that trip to the Barrier Reef for you and it would be a shame if it was closed off!

Neil.

Sunfish:

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is running the Representative Areas Program (RAP) where they intend to stop fishing (green zone) in about 25% of each habitat type or bioregion along the Queensland Coast north of Bundaberg. Presently less than 5% of the park is green but their is additional protection from Dark Blue (no-trawl) or Yellow (limited recreational) in many areas.
The area to be closed will be roughly equal to the total area of Victoria.

Fishing is the ONLY activity being stopped although GBRMPA will consider recommendations for other types of zoning such as yellow areas where non-commercial fishing is restricted to 1 line or pink total no-go areas.

The first round of consultation finishes on 7 August and it is critical that recreational fishers complete a submission if they want their views known. Each individual submission counts and conservation groups are winding up their support network.

It is time now for you to have your say - you will not get another chance.

It is likely that this program will set the standard for similar programs in Commonwealth and State waters right around Australia. So you want to be banned from fishing in 25% of the area you presently access?

Then act now.

GBRMPA can be contacted on 1800 990 177 or go to www.gbrmpa.gov.au and click on "Hot Topics" and choose Representative Areas.

Alternately, go to www.seamedia.com.au and follow the link to GBRMPA Survey Form.