Timeline Tracks Fisheries History
20 October 2003

The past 200 years of fisheries development in Queensland is being tracked in a fascinating online historical timeline.

As a partner in the Coastal Cooperative Research Centre, the Department of Primary Industries Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) joined forces with the University of Queensland to map major historical events and how they have affected fisheries development.

The project is initially concentrating on the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay, the Fitzroy Catchment near Rockhampton and Port Curtis near Gladstone with potential to expand it further.

Major historical events from the eighteenth century to present day have been documented in the categories of general/socio-economic; natural features and events; legislation; planning and infrastructure; fishery management and development and major research projects.

QFS principal fisheries scientist Malcolm Dunning said the timeline was a valuable resource tool, providing information about historical changes in river catchments and how major events have affected coastal fisheries in Queensland.

Dr Dunning said for example, the 1990/91 Fitzroy River flood showed an increase in the area’s barramundi population.

“The timeline puts the start of fishing activity, fisheries management decisions and major natural events into an historical perspective,” he said.

“It details events such as floods and when rivers were dammed as well as when fisheries legislation was first introduced.

“Importantly, the information will assist coastal managers to make more informed decisions for the benefit of fisheries in the future.”

Dr Dunning said the timeline was by no means complete and urged the public to submit information to create a more comprehensive information bank.

“This is just the beginning of the timeline and anyone with referenced historical information is encouraged to contact us,” he said.

The timeline is accessible from the Coastal CRC’s web site at http://www.coastal.crc.org.au/timelines/index.asp

Anyone with information to add to the timeline should contact Clare Bullock on (07) 3405 6822.

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: Malcolm Dunning (07) 3224 2193
Communications Officer: Liz Smith (07) 3224 7757

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