IMPACTS FROM MANAGEMENT MEASURES

Desired Outcome: Management measures that affect recreational fishers are implemented with maximum engagement of fishers and result in minimum adverse impacts. Recreational fishers’ access rights are acknowledged by water, land and biodiversity conservation agencies.

PRIORITY AREAS FOR INVESTMENT

The following are the priorities for investment in the impacts of management change:

 Research to understand changes in fishers’ behaviour following management change;  Determination of any ‘spillover’ effects from no take zones in MPAs;

SIGNIFICANCE OF ISSUE

The two primary management measures that affect recreational fishers are limitation of access and fisheries regulations.

Access limitations have been and will continue to be imposed on recreational fishers around Australia though the establishment of management arrangements for National Parks, Marine Parks, water storages and public land. In the case of Marine Parks this is primarily through Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and other zoning arrangements that limit access to fish.

Changes in fisheries regulation are generally aimed at improving sustainability of fish stocks with size limits, bag limits and gear restrictions being primary tools to limit the catch of recreational fishing. However these measures can also be used as tools for resource reallocation between recreational and commercial fishers.

CURRENT STATUS

 In 2004 a rezoning of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park resulted in the effective closure of 33% of the Marine Park to fishing. A Marine Park program is currently being implemented by the Commonwealth Government in Commonwealth waters around Australia. Many State Governments are also implementing Marine Parks including no fishing areas in waters that they manage.

In many processes used by the respective Government bodies undertaking the development of the Management Plans for Marine Parks recreational fishers feel left out or powerless to influence the outcome even though they, along with commercial fishers, are the primary groups that are impacted.

While science and research have played a part in the establishment of MPAs the process has largely been a political one with most politicians supporting the establishment of MPAs. In the case of the GBR where 33% of the Marine Park was placed in MPAs this was supported by all parties when the proclamation was made by the Commonwealth Government.

Recreational fishers’ access is increasingly being eroded by closures or boating restrictions on freshwater impoundments, closure of fire-access trails and limited entry to Aboriginal-controlled lands. Restricted landing on offshore lands and limits on camping at coastal sites are further constraining access. In many cases, access restrictions and severe fishing regulations aimed at protecting threatened fish are imposed on recreational fishers when fishing is just one of many factors affecting the fish and environments.

RECFISHING RESEARCH STRATEGIC RESPONSE

Recfishing Research does not hold a view on the effectiveness of MPAs. However, it believes that there is community and political support for their establishment. The most appropriate approach for recreational fishers is to work with the agencies developing management plans to endeavour to minimise the impact on recreational fishers. Assisting recreational fishers to collect relevant data to support objective positions put during planning and review processes is also important.

The role of Recfishing Research is to identify case studies where recreational fishers have been successful in achieving an acceptable outcome. The Queensland Capricorn Coast fishing community was successful in achieving a result that had a minimum impact on fishers in their area in the rezoning of the GBR while meeting conservation objectives. The process used by the Capricorn Coast fishers was provided to Recfish Australia and was used to achieve a positive outcome for recreational fishers in a proposed MPA off the Freycinet Peninsula in Tasmania.

The Capricorn Coast fishers were also successful in establishing the CapReef community based monitoring program that is collecting data on the effects of the management changes in their area. This is to ensure that fishers and the community have a greater understanding and involvement in the future management decisions.

Recfishing Research will continue to identify case studies that can assist recreational fishers and groups which are going through Management Planning processes.

Recfish Australia also received funding from the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) to assist groups in their engagement in the management process. Some of this funding was used in a successful bid for changes to the South East Regional Marine Plan in Tasmania that significantly reduced the impact of zoning on recreational fishers.

PROGRESS TO DATE

	A seminar on Marine Protected Areas was held in 2006 and a report “Marine Protected Areas – Stocking to tool box for recreational fishers” was produced to assist fishers improve their engagement in the MPA process.   Available from www.recfishingresearch.org.
	The CapReef monitoring program based in Central Queensland has been successful in improving community understanding of the effects of management changes, habitat modification, water regulation and climate change on fisheries resources. This includes the effects of MPAs and changes to regulations.   CapReef reports available from www.info-fish.net.

PROJECTS RECFISHING RESEARCH IS MONITORING

 "CapReef community fisheries monitoring: Measuring the impact of management change, habitat modification, water regulation and climate on the fisheries resources of Central Queensland" Infofish Services: Bill Sawynok bill@info-fish.net

Timeframe: July 2005 - June 2009 "Evaluation of community-based fishery monitoring systems"

Bureau of Rural Sciences: Phil Sahlqvist Phil.Sahlqvist@brs.gov.au

Timeframe: Report expected by end of 2009

CRC Reef project: “Understanding the effects of the Representatives Areas Program on recreational fishing in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park” James Cook University: Stephen Sutton stephen.sutton@jcu.edu.au

Timeframe: Completed Report available at http://www.rrrc.org.au/publications/downloads/485-JCU-Sutton-S-2008-Perceptions-of-GBR-fishers.pdf

MTSRF Project 4.8.5: “Incorporating stakeholders and their values, knowledge and aspirations in the care and development of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park” James Cook University: Stephen Sutton stephen.sutton@jcu.edu.au

Timeframe: Due for completion in June 2010 More info on project: http://www.rrrc.org.au/mtsrf/theme_4/project_4_8_5.html

“Human usage of marine resources of Ningaloo Reef” Murdoch University: l.beckley@murdoch.edu.au

FRDC project 2004/084: “Development and evaluation of community based monitoring programs for coastal ecosystems and fisheries habitats” South Australian SARDI: Final report now available "Larval dispersal, population connectivity and export effects of no-take marine reserves on the Great Barrier Reef" James Cook University: David Williamson david.williamson@jcu.edu.au

Timeframe: June 2007 - June 2010

FRDC project: "Taking female mud crabs (Scylla serrata): assessments of risks and benefits" Qld Primary Industries and Fisheries: Ian Brown Ian.Brown@deedi.qld.gov.au

Timeframe: July 2009 - July 2010

FRDC project 2008/093: "Tactical Research Fund: New South Wales Angler Access Forum and Workshop" NSW Recreational Fishing Alliance: Malcolm Poole mpoole@optusnet.com.au