The DLP values the fishing industry.
We would restructure the Great Barrier Reef marine park authority by the inclusion of meaningful representation from both the commercial and recreational fishing associations to ensure the management of the resource in the best interest of all groups.
The DLP would also re-examine the current green (or no go) zones in Moreton bay and other areas. Recreational fishing creates jobs and brings money into these areas while strengthening our small business communities. We do not accept that restricting families from recreational fishing in the exclusion zones will or could affect fish numbers in those areas. The idea that a father and son with a fishing line could fish out these areas is nonsense. To safeguard this, we advocate for the better policing of “Bag-Limits” on all aquatic species in all waterways to ensure that individuals do not get away with ‘excessive’ and ‘undersize’ catches, or ‘banned’ species.
The DLP encourages family-friendly activities like fishing, and rejects the ALP/Greens government’s ban on these activities in our bay areas. We recognise the need for some zones to be clear of fishing pressures to enable suitable natural breeding of native species, but we also ask for common sense to prevail.
The DLP would encourage the increased establishment of Aqua-Farming, by which the strain on native populations would be eased, especially if such places were open for fisher-folk to take home their “catch”. This outlet for their goods would also boost tourism in these areas.
The DLP is concerned about the introduction of fluoride in our waterways and is calling on an enquiry to the damage that the runoff would interfere with the breeding of fish in our bay and coastal areas.