Once the New Zoning plan for Great Sandy Marine Park comes into effect, we NEED Queensland Fisheries to declare the Mary River above the marine park as a New Net Free Zone! 

Anglers across the Fraser Coast have expressed deep concerns regarding the state of our local fishery and the missed opportunity for tourism in the Mary River area from Beaver Rock to the Barrage. Immediate action must be taken to declare this stretch of the river a Net Free Zone for several compelling reasons that demand our attention and swift resolution.

Firstly, the impending reforms within the Great Sandy Marine Park are set to prohibit commercial gill-netting of barramundi and threadfin salmon in all of the rivers, creeks, and tributaries covered by Yellow Conservation Zones.  However, the glaring oversight of leaving the Mary River above the GSMP boundary open for commercial netting presents a detrimental situation. Allowing this to continue will inevitably result in consequences, jeopardising the potential for a world-class fishery and undermining the massive tourism opportunities that could flourish within Southeast Queensland (SEQ).

Moreover, the recent decision to remove ALL commercial gill netting across the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park only applies to the regions North of Bundaberg further compounds the problem. This decision risks displacing commercial fishers into the Mary River, intensifying the pressure on an already fragile ecosystem.

The introduction of the N15 license baffles logic, especially when efforts are being made to reduce in-shore commercial fishing. Creating another avenue for increased commercial fishing efforts will only exacerbate the situation, leading to more pressure and environmental strain.

It is crystal clear that the complete removal of in-shore commercial netting will not only conserve our natural resources but also catalyse an unprecedented surge in Queensland's tourism sector. The potential revenue growth across various industries resulting from this shift cannot be understated and would significantly contribute to job creation and economic development.

Furthermore, declaring the Mary River as a NEW "Net Free Zone" is essential to initiating the Queensland tourism campaign, 'The Great Barramundi Trail.' Without this designation, the campaign's success will be compromised.
This decision now rests with the Hon. Mark Furner - Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities: 12 Nov 2020. 

Please email Mark directly calling for The Mary River to be declared a Net Free Zone in 2024:- agriculture@ministerial.qld.gov.au