SUNFISH CLEAR ON TAILOR FUTURE

MEDIA RELEASE 20/2/2002

Mr John Doohan, Chairman of SUNFISH QLD representing the 880,000 recreational fishers in Queensland today clearly stated that his organisation was not against the proposed tailor bag limits. Since 1994 our members have supported the principle of recreational catch limitations where the fish stocks are in trouble provided there is a commensurate realistic reduction in commercial catches.

The proposed bag limits will positively reduce recreational catches & is justified. However to allow the commercial sector to continue to take 120 tonnes as well as 100 kilos of incidental catch is ridiculous. This is well in excess of their total yearly catch in the early 1990's when the tailor were more plentiful than today he said.

Mr Doohan said that the proposed tailor regulations will not encourage anglers to go tailor fishing & many interstate & Queensland enthusiasts will think twice about visiting beaches that have been "cleaned out" consistently by commercial netters. NSW net free beaches will certainly be a favored alternative to go tailor fishing & spend their hard earned money.

The NSW legislation introduced in mid 2001 stops the deliberate netting of tailor, allows a commercial bycatch of 100 kilos & introduces a bag limit of 20 tailor per person per day Mr Doohan said.

All we have ever asked is that this legislation be mirrored in Queensland. We believe that the main issue of recreational access to one of their most important recreational fish has been deliberately made complicated to confuse our very simple request.

Any decision that gives a $400,000 total commercial catch priority over a $10 million recreational industry is certainly not well founded & does not allow for the wise use of the limited tailor resources available. It should also be remembered that recreational caught tailor can be released alive once the bag limit is reached whereas a commercial fisher must kill the fish to make a living he said.

135,000 tailor anglers are eagerly awaiting the Governments decision on their recreational tailor fishing future & unless there is some recognition of the importance of their pastime, local economies, businesses & tourism will suffer.

Contact persons - John Doohan, Chairman, SUNFISH QLD 33593086
David Bateman AM, EO, SUNFISH QLD 38804261