According to the Bligh Government the Queensland Fisheries Strategy 2009-2014 would set the future direction for fisheries in Queensland. Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin told that one of the major aims of the strategy was to reduce the complexity associated with fisheries management while also ensuring sustainability.
Mulherin said that over many years, a vast amount of rules, regulations, limits and permit conditions have built up to cover fisheries management. He added that this new strategy will help to protect the resource. There is a need to raise awareness of responsible fishing through education and training.
He also said that there is a need to be more flexible by using guidelines and codes of practice, and cooperative or co-management arrangements rather than increasing the number of inflexible rules and regulations. Mulherin said the strategy would involve a partnership with industry so that the responsibilities and obligations for sustainable management were negotiated and shared.
Aquaculture will be a key focus. With global demand for seafood burgeoning and wild-catch fisheries struggling to meet demand, aquaculture is gaining an increasing share of global markets. Mulherin informed that the new fisheries strategy meets the Q2 ambitions of ‘strong’ and ‘green’ – helping to create a diverse economy and protecting Queensland’s fisheries resources.
