Fraser Island News

Sea cages out, shellfish in: new marine park zoning revealed

Last Update: Wednesday, 19 April 2006

Reporter: Sian Chapman
Presenter: Scott Lamond; David Dowsett

Fish farming will be heavily restricted and conservation areas increased in the Wide Bay’s coastal waters, under the State Government's new zoning plan for the Great Sandy Marine Park.
The park covers six thousand square kilometres from Baffle Creek north of Bundaberg, to Double Island point on the Sunshine Coast, and includes Fraser Island.

Queensland Environment Minister Desley Boyle says the aim of the plan is to achieve a balance between fishing, environmental and tourism interests.

From June intensive aquaculture such as sea cages will be prohibited, but fish farming with less environmental impact like the production of scallops and oysters will be allowed.

The new zoning plan also introduces a conservation area between the southern half of Fraser Island and the mainland.

But Randal McLellan, from recreational fishing lobby group Sunfish says netting will still be allowed in this conservation zone - which they say is inconsistent with other waters covered by the same zoning.

Mr McLellan says the body will consider a legal challenge against Great Sandy Marine Park zoning plan.

On the other hand the Queensland Seafood Industry Association says the new zoning plan is 'workable' - but if the livelihoods of commercial fishermen suffer as a result, they will seek compensation.

The tourism sector is concerned the plan will cost jobs, and the State Aquaculture Federation says the final plan will put their industry 'years behind' the rest of the world.

The Wide Bay Conservation Council says it is disappointed that just five per cent of the Great Sandy Marine Park will be 'no-take zones', compared with 30 per cent in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

The zoning plan for the Great Sandy Marine Park will come into effect from June.

The health and sustainability of the fishery will be monitored, and reviewed after five years.