LNP says net-free fish zone will stay

THE Liberal National Party has confirmed it would retain the existing net-free zone at Trinity Inlet, despite originally trying to stop the measure being introduced.

LNP Deputy Leader Deb Frecklington and agriculture, fisheries and forestry spokesman Dale Last (right) yesterday confirmed the LNP would retain existing net-free zones at Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton, if elected at the next state election.

Ms Frecklington and Mr Last said the LNP was committed to fisheries management reform and would continue to work with all stakeholders.

A last-ditch disallowance motion, put forward by Ms Frecklington, was rejected in parliament prior to net-free fishing zones taking effect in Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton in November, 2015.

For almost two years a netfree fishing zone, introduced by the Labor Government, has kept commercial netters out of Trinity Inlet in an effort to bolster recreational fishing.

“The zones have been in place for more than two years, compensation has been paid to affected commercial fishers, so it would be unrealistic to overturn the decision which established these Net Free Zones in the first place,” Mr Last said.

Fisheries Minister Bill Byrne described the LNP announcement as a “backflip”.

In April Far North recreational fishing lobby group CAREFISH director Paul Aubin called on the LNP to promise it would not revoke the net-free zone.