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27 August 2007, Courier Mail
Fishing spots to stay open
Sophie Elsworth
August 27, 2007 12:00am
ACCESS to Moreton Bay's most-popular
fishing spots will not be banned, the State Government has
assured anglers.
Despite claims the Government's proposal for
a series of green zones where fishing would be banned equated
to "environmentalism gone mad", nothing will change
in popular spots such as Jumpinpin, Crusoe Island and Point
Lookout.
The zones are designed to protect a range of habitats and
species in Moreton Bay Marine Park.
A draft plan is expected to be released for comment at the
end of the year and completed in the second half of next year.
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr yesterday moved to
reassure anglers and said she was concerned about people's
interpretation of the green zones.
"Our review of the Moreton Bay Marine Park is about
making better opportunities for all bay users," Ms Nelson-Carr
said.
"Fishing on Moreton Bay is a great part of our lifestyle
and we want to keep it that way forever."
"It's all about mums and dads being able to take their
children and grandchildren fishing on the bay the way their
grandparents did.
"We are listening to the views of all the bay users,
recreational and commercial fishing interests, conservationists
and the tourism industry."
But Greg Haines, managing director of trailer boat manufacturer
The Haines Group, said the proposed green zones would "ruin"
Queensland's lifestyle and industry.
"The project is ill-considered and doesn't address the
real issues affecting Moreton Bay," Mr Haines said.
"The boating and fishing industries are all for preservation
of Moreton Bay waters, however more government attention should
be directed at the real problems and addressing these real
environmental solutions."
But Australian Marine Conservation Society spokesman Craig
Bohm said amateur fishers would get better protection of the
bay for the zoning plan as it would help sustain fauna and
create a spill-over of fishing species from green zones.
Only about 0.5 per cent of the bay is no-go or green zones.
Mr Bohm wants the Government to allow up to 50 per cent of
some habitats into green zones for protection of endangered
species and create a spill-over of fishing species from the
green zones.
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