More than 26,000 people have signed a petition calling on the Queensland Parliament to block the Palaszczuk Labor Government from introducing net-free fishing zones in North and Central Queensland.
Shadow Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Deb Frecklington and Shadow Environment Minister Stephen Bennett were presented with the 1000 page petition at Parliament House today.
“I am very pleased to be tabling this petition in Parliament on behalf of the Queensland Seafood Industry Association and the commercial fishermen affected by Labor’s net-free zones,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“This petition has some 26,000 signatures on it, demonstrating a huge amount of support for the 53 commercial fishing families who are directly impacted by Labor’s policy decision and for the commercial fishing sector in general.
“The Palaszczuk Government’s approach of barrelling through with these net-free zones is an insult to all commercial fishermen who work hard to maintain an honest living for their families.
“The whole process has been extremely disrespectful towards them and there has been a distinct lack of transparency and no consultation. Queenslanders didn’t vote for that.”
Mrs Frecklington said the LNP firmly believed the positions of recreational fishermen and commercial fishermen were not mutually exclusive.
“The LNP’s vision for fishing is to have a world-class fisheries management system that’s simple, robust, responsive and flexible in delivering sustainable managed fisheries for the benefit of all Queenslanders,” she said.
“When in government, the LNP conducted an extensive review to help guide our approach to overhaul twenty years of existing legislation. This would have delivered a fairer framework for fisheries management.
“We do not support revoking netting licences held by commercial fishermen without adequate and fair compensation for their loss.
“As the Shadow Minister I am committed to working with all concerned parties to make sure we reach an outcome where we support sustainable commercial fishing and Queenslanders can continue to enjoy fresh, local seafood.”
