Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin said surveys of the flood plume had been conducted and samples of water and sediment were taken from throughout the run-off affected area. He told that the ban was voluntary to avoid bad result since the flooding in Brisbane.
According to Mulherin recent sediment surveys have now cleared more parts of the bay for fishing. However, while these surveys mean that most of the bay can be fished, industry has agreed to continue to stay out of the Brisbane River and the area directly in front of the river mouth until more testing is completed later this week.
Mulherin said that it was disappointing to hear reports that consumers were concerned about buying seafood caught from the bay. He informed that Moreton Bay seafood is as good as it has always been. It is a high quality product and at the moment is in abundance. On the other hand local fishermen are making good catches to sell in the local market as the demand is rising. This means that seafood lovers can pick up some great fresh local product at bargain prices.
