Angler for quota plan

A FORMER Cassowary Coast marine biologist and recreational fisherman believes the industry’s attitude towards sustainability is changing for the better as he backs a move to reduce Spanish mackerel catch quotas.

The proposal to reduce the take of the popular species follows a Department of Agriculture and Fisheries stock assessment, which showed “stocks were at historically low levels”.

While the assessment received criticism from fishing groups, Innisfail recreational fisherman Mark Anderson said a change was necessary.

“I’ve spoken to commercial fishermen and yes, they’ve told me we do need to slow down,” Mr Anderson said.

He said he hoped for a quota reduction that targeted recreational anglers, instead of commercial operators.

Mr Anderson said the understanding among older generations was that “fish are endless”, but he believed younger generations understood the importance of sustainable fishing practices.

“So with Spanish mackerel, it’s the bread and butter stuff for the commercial guys, and for the fish and chip shops – it’s that affordable fish without having to go down to flake,” he said.

“I think a reduction to the recreational sector, without impacting the commercial sector would be well received.

“There’s a lot of recreational fishers out there. If you reduce their limit from three mackerel to one … it leaves onethird of the biomass out there for the commercial guys.”

Mr Anderson also supported the introduction of a small closed season for Spanish mackerel fishing for spawning.

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto was not sold on the plan, and said information from the DAF’s Spanish mackerel Fishery Working Group suggested quotas could be cut by 75–90 per cent.

“The East Coast Spanish mackerel Fishery Annual Status Report stated that the commercial catch rate of Spanish mackerel has demonstrated a stable trend since the quota was introduced in 2004,” Mr Dametto said.

“If that catch rate has not significantly increased, then why is the Working Group entertaining this proposal?”

He said any reduction of the Spanish mackerel fishing quotas for commercial anglers would “put significant pressure on the market price” and could lead to lower-quality imported product being sold in place of local fish.