Netting Ban On North Stradbroke Island Begins This Week
16 September 2003

A commercial netting closure on North Stradbroke Island’s beaches begins on Saturday (September 20).

The ban will be in place from September 20 to April 1 each year and includes Home, Cylinder, Deadman’s and Frenchman’s Beaches.

Department of Primary Industries Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) netting manager Mark Doohan said the closure was aimed at minimising conflict between commercial operators, recreational anglers and beach goers during peak tourist seasons.

Mr Doohan said restricting the areas in which commercial netters could operate would minimise contact between the groups and the likelihood of conflict.

“North Stradbroke Island is a popular tourist spot attracting recreational anglers and families, particularly during peak periods such as the Christmas school holidays,” he said.

“In the past there has been conflict between the various groups and something had to be done to ensure this conflict didn’t escalate.”

Mr Doohan said the new netting ban would ensure fair access to North Stradbroke Island’s fisheries and beaches for all users.

“Fisheries resources are a public resource and these rules reflect this,” he said.

“Beach goers will be able to swim and play on the beach and recreational anglers can fish without competition from commercial operators who will still be able to fish at these beaches at other times of the year and during the important mullet season.”

For more information about the new fishing rules and regulations visit the DPI Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb or call the DPI Call Centre on 13 25 23.

Department of Primary Industries Media Unit
GPO Box 46 Brisbane Qld 4001 Ph 07 3239 6380
DPI Call Centre 13 25 23 (weekdays 8 am to 6 pm)


Further information: Mark Doohan (07) 3225 1888
Communications Officer: Liz Smith (07) 3224 7757

More Press Releases here: