Our natural asset advantage is being wasted...

• The Great Sandy Marine Park is the ONLY Marine Park in Australia (possibly the world ? ) that allows unrestricted numbers of commercial fishers to NET in what “Should Be” TRUE YELLOW CONSERVATION
ZONES!

• The Great Sandy Marine Park is a World Heritage-listed area and has been designated as an important Biosphere Region under UNESCO in 2009. The Great Sandy Biosphere includes many of Australia’s iconic natural features, internationally recognised as having significant cultural and conservation values including a RAMSAR Site, a major turtle ecosystem and home to Queensland's largest urban coast’s dugong population!

• Across the Fraser Coast region, catch rates for anglers have dropped from 7.8 fish landed per person per trip in 1986 to 0.81 fish per person per trip in 2003. This is, unfortunately, the most current research but concerns are that this decline continues even further today with localised depletion experienced across a number of key species like Whiting & Golden Trevally.

• The majority of commercial fishers comply with regulations. However, there are many practices that are exploitative, questionable and almost impossible for the Fisheries officers to police.

• Our unique natural asset should be a tourist mecca but is being ‘managed’ to the detriment of recreational fishers and tourism, so that a small number of commercial fishers and associated businesses might benefit.

• Fishermen and tourists are well informed today via social media and are increasingly travelling to regions with Net Free Zones like Mackay, Rockhampton & Cairns!

• The Fraser Coast desperately needs a sustainable economic boost. Other regions such as Northern Territory are reaping the benefit of the economic multiplier effect that recreational fishing readily offers with low input costs.

Please sign and share this petition NOW with all your friends and family and then Email Leeanne Enoch MP @ environment@ministerial.qld.gov.au & Annastacia Palaszczuk MP @ thepremier@premiers.qld.gov.au NOW and let them know the “anomaly” that is the “Designated Great Sandy Area” must be removed without exception under the current full-term review of our Great Sandy Marine Park due to be finalised by the end of this year !