By MEGAN OGLE
NOOSA North Shore fishers are under attack again, but Fisheries Queensland says it’s all above board.
In a Facebook post on Sunday 10 July, Peter Wise posted photos of what appears to be illegal camping on the Noosa North Shore and commercial fishers from interstate reeling in a big catch.
“How is it possible that netters from New South Wales can come here to the Noosa Biosphere and Noosa North Shore, camp where they like with no facilities, in a no camp zone, take about 300 tonnes of breeding stock fish that should have spawned the lake systems here, truck them back to NSW and it’s called a priority?” Mr Wise said.
Mr Wise called on local and state governments to address the issue, but Fisheries Queensland said the interstate fishers were above board.
“Commercial fishing along ocean beaches for mullet occurs from 1 April to 31 August each year and the fishery has been operating in the Noosa region for approximately 100 years,” a spokesperson said.
“There are a limited number of commercial fishers licensed to take fish commercially using ocean beach nets in the Noosa North Shore area. These licences predominantly target sea mullet and take only small quantities of other species.”
However Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) said they were recently made aware of concerns being raised regarding fishers camping near the mouth of the Noosa River and were addressing the issue.
“In 2012, QPWS worked with commercial fishers and the Sunshine Coast Regional Council to come to an arrangement regarding overnighting on Noosa North Shore as part of undertaking their commercial fishing operations,” they said.
“It is understood that many commercial fishers in recent years have elected to camp on private property in the area. QPWS has made contact with the group and is engaging in further discussions.”
Retired local fisher Trevor Clarey said one way to combat the issue of illegal camping was to allocate the Noosa North Shore to local commercial fishers only.
“Those NSW fishers have Queensland licences which allow them to legally fish over there,” Mr Clarey said.
“I’ve always pushed for local netters only in the work times between 6am and 7pm, then there is no illegal camping as local fishers are home with their families overnight.”
However the Fisheries Queensland spokesperson said there were no plans to make changes to the fishery along the Noosa North Shore.
“There are no plans that specifically address changes to the ocean beach net fishery at this time. The fishery is considered sustainable under the National “Status of Key Australian Fish Stocks” process,” they said.
Should anyone suspect or witness illegal fishing activity they should call the 24-hour Fishwatch hotline 1800 017 116.
