Election 2012 - CLP fishing policy
Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 2:20 pm
From the CLP - Posted by myself for the benefit of FFF readers ...
MEDIA RELEASE - COUNTRY LIBERALS WILL CLOSE CHAMBERS AND FINKE BAY August 10, 2012
Key Points:
»» We will close Chambers and Finke Bays
to commercial barramundi fishing
»» We will commit to the buyback of
commercial fishing licences in areas
deemed important and beneficial to
recreational fishing
»» We will make safety on our waterways
a priority and implement a new safety
education program within the first 6
months of Government
»» We will trial the use of security
cameras at boat ramps
»» We will boost the Fisheries Police Unit
and ensure they are equipped to target
those who break the law
»» We will build a self-launch boat ramp
at Dundee Beach and investigate a
secondary boat ramp at Shady Camp
and locations for new suburban boat
ramps in Darwin
»» We are against permits and payments
for fishing
A Country Liberals Government will invest
in safety and security on our waterways
and boat ramps to protect Territorians and
make their favourite pastime even better.
11 years of Labor has meant 11 years
of broken promises, secret deals and
political spin for Territory anglers instead
of real action.
The Country Liberals are committed to
making sure Territorians can fully enjoy
our world class waterways.
We understand fishing is vital to the ‘Great
Territory Lifestyle’ with around 50,000
recreational fishers in the Territory, which
represents about 25% of our population.
The Territory also has the highest
recreational boat ownership in Australia
per capita.
As well as improving our quality of life,
recreational fishing also contributes
substantially to the Northern Territory
economy to the tune of around $90
million a year.
Unlike Paul Henderson and Labor, a
Country Liberals Government will be open
and transparent in any recreational fishing
negotiations. We will listen to Territory
anglers and ensure their views are heard
and acted upon without delay.
Recreational Fishing Zones
The Country Liberals recognise the
importance of recreational fishing to the
economy of the Northern Territory and the
special place that it holds in the Territory
lifestyle. Appropriate management
of these fisheries is critical to the
ongoing future of the resource for both
commercial and recreational fisherman.
We will introduce exclusive access to
Chambers and Finke bays for recreational
fishing and will close these areas to
commercial barramundi fishing. This move
will include appropriate compensation to
commercial barramundi fishermen along
with a firm commitment to the removal
of effort for these fishermen through the
buy-back of licenses. The Country Liberals
will work with the industry to determine
a fair price for license buyback based on
a unit measure and will invite submission
from interested license holders.
Law Enforcement
While Labor has severely neglected
fisheries police, the Country Liberals
Government will take them seriously.
We will ensure the fisheries unit within
NT Police will be properly resourced to
apprehend those breaking the law.
Under Labor, the fisheries police unit
has decreased from 21 officers to
14 officers. The Country Liberals will
review this arrangement and conduct a
comprehensive review of fisheries police
equipment including boats, to ensure the
unit can do their job effectively.
Fishing and Boat Safety
Safety on the Territory’s waterways will
be a top priority of a Country Liberals
Government. Overcrowding of dinghies,
reckless behaviour and inappropriate
consumption of alcohol are all issues in
the Territory and can lead to harm and
even loss of life.
The Country Liberals will work with
AFANT and the Seafood Industry Council
to develop a comprehensive safety
awareness and education programme
delivered to the community, schools and
remote and rural communities within the
first 6 months of forming government.
Security
A Country Liberals Government will
commit to the trial of installation and
monitoring of security cameras at
boat ramps where there is known high
occurrence of crime. This will not only
ensure those who break the law are
punished and act as a deterrent to
would be criminals, it will also allow
anglers to relax while they are enjoying
the Territory’s great lifestyle, with the
knowledge and peace of mind that their
vehicles and valuables will be safe.
Boat Ramps
A Country Liberals Government will
develop a self launch boat ramp at
Dundee Beach and undertake a major
review of boat ramps at; Adelaide
River, Gunn Point, Shady Camp, Daly
River, Dinah Beach, Buffalo Creek and
Palmerston. The review will also include
caretaker facilities, security, toilet and
shower facilities, access roads and
lighting. The review will in particular
look at the possibility of developing a
secondary ramp at Shady Camp as wells
as tidal issues, possible dredging and
expansion at other ramps.
The Country Liberals will also commit
to identifying new suburban based boat
ramps in areas readily accessible to
anglers at suburban foreshores such as
the existing Ski Club boat ramp area.
A review of all roads to popular Territory
fishing spots will also be conducted with
particular emphasis on the possibility of
upgrading Gunn Point Road.
Daly River
Considered to be the “Mecca” for
recreational fishing, the Country Liberals
will ensure the Daly River is managed for
the benefit of all Territorians into the future.
The Country Liberals will ensure the Daly
River becomes a tourism hub and strong
contributor to the Territory economy while
conducting long term and comprehensive
research and monitoring of the area, to
ensure it remains ecologically sustainable.
Buy Back of Licenses
A Country Liberals Government will
reduce the commercial fishing activity
in areas deemed most important to
recreational fishing activities.
However, before any buy back schemes
are implemented the impacts on
existing commercial operators will be
fully investigated as well as the impact
on employment, value of licences,
businesses servicing the commercial
seafood industry and recreational anglers.
Blue Mud Bay
The Country Liberals are against permits
and payments for fishing; and unlike
Labor we will inform Territorians of
any negotiations or agreements with
traditional owners. Labor has had four
years to sort out the High Court’s Blue
Mud Bay decision and they still haven’t
reached a resolution. And they’ve hidden
important information from Territorians
along the way.
Marine Parks
A Country Liberals Government will adopt
a ‘common sense’ approach to marine
parks and will not establish any marine
parks where they are not needed. Any
proposals for a marine protected area
must be based on demonstrated need
and provide clear benefits.
Unlike Paul Henderson and Labor we will
not make any decisions on marine parks
without consulting the community first.
We will not meddle with the environment
– at a huge cost to Territory taxpayers –
where interference is not necessary.
Awards and Recognition
A Country Liberals Government will
establish a Territory Recreational Fisheries
Award programme to honour individuals
and organisations for their contribution
to the conservation, restoration
and enhancement of the Territory’s
recreational fisheries and their habitat.
Open Communication
A Country Liberals Government will create
separate departments of Primary Industry
and Fisheries and Minerals and Energy in
order to facilitate better investment and
development in the industry.
We will also re-open a direct line of
communication with the relevant Minister
by re-establishing Ministerial Advisory
Councils and a new office of recreational
fishing within the department.
While Labor has guarded their Ministers
with so-called ‘gatekeepers’ a Country
Liberals Minister will always be available
to industry and community groups.
MEDIA RELEASE
COUNTRY LIBERALS WILL CLOSE CHAMBERS AND FINKE BAY
August 10th, 2012
A significant Top End fishery will be closed to commercial barramundi fishing if the Country Liberals win
Government on August 25th.
Opposition Leader, Terry Mills, said increasing fishery options for recreational anglers and providing fair
compensation for commercial fishermen would be a priority for a future Country Liberals Government.
“We will introduce exclusive access to Chambers and Finke bays for recreational fishing and will close these
areas to commercial barramundi fishing,” Mr Mills said.
“I have engaged with the commercial license holders regarding appropriate compensation and removal of
effort in order to cover the loss of value that these closures will have to the industry.”
Mr Mills said the process of barramundi license buy-backs had stalled under the Labor Government who
had failed to match rhetoric with substantive outcomes.
“Labor’s 2008 election promise to buy back commercial licenses has been an abject fizzer.
“There have been no buy backs and the lack of consultation around the recent closures has only served to
further divide stakeholders.
“Today’s announcement is about improving recreational fishing access in the Northern Territory, promoting
tourism and value adding the Territory’s lifestyle.
“I am aware of the impact of closures on commercial fishing operators but am committed to an open and
transparent negotiation process that clearly informs all parties.”
Deputy Opposition Leader, Kezia Purick, said boosting recreational fishing is a key component to the
Country Liberals plan to develop a 3-hub economy.
“There are an estimated 40,000 recreational anglers in the Northern Territory and the industry is worth
approximately $90million to the economy,” she said.
“The Country Liberals recreational fishing policy includes a commitment to assessing marine police
resourcing, trialling security cameras on boat ramps and a commitment ruling out permits and licenses to
access Territory waters.”
MEDIA RELEASE - COUNTRY LIBERALS WILL CLOSE CHAMBERS AND FINKE BAY August 10, 2012
Key Points:
»» We will close Chambers and Finke Bays
to commercial barramundi fishing
»» We will commit to the buyback of
commercial fishing licences in areas
deemed important and beneficial to
recreational fishing
»» We will make safety on our waterways
a priority and implement a new safety
education program within the first 6
months of Government
»» We will trial the use of security
cameras at boat ramps
»» We will boost the Fisheries Police Unit
and ensure they are equipped to target
those who break the law
»» We will build a self-launch boat ramp
at Dundee Beach and investigate a
secondary boat ramp at Shady Camp
and locations for new suburban boat
ramps in Darwin
»» We are against permits and payments
for fishing
A Country Liberals Government will invest
in safety and security on our waterways
and boat ramps to protect Territorians and
make their favourite pastime even better.
11 years of Labor has meant 11 years
of broken promises, secret deals and
political spin for Territory anglers instead
of real action.
The Country Liberals are committed to
making sure Territorians can fully enjoy
our world class waterways.
We understand fishing is vital to the ‘Great
Territory Lifestyle’ with around 50,000
recreational fishers in the Territory, which
represents about 25% of our population.
The Territory also has the highest
recreational boat ownership in Australia
per capita.
As well as improving our quality of life,
recreational fishing also contributes
substantially to the Northern Territory
economy to the tune of around $90
million a year.
Unlike Paul Henderson and Labor, a
Country Liberals Government will be open
and transparent in any recreational fishing
negotiations. We will listen to Territory
anglers and ensure their views are heard
and acted upon without delay.
Recreational Fishing Zones
The Country Liberals recognise the
importance of recreational fishing to the
economy of the Northern Territory and the
special place that it holds in the Territory
lifestyle. Appropriate management
of these fisheries is critical to the
ongoing future of the resource for both
commercial and recreational fisherman.
We will introduce exclusive access to
Chambers and Finke bays for recreational
fishing and will close these areas to
commercial barramundi fishing. This move
will include appropriate compensation to
commercial barramundi fishermen along
with a firm commitment to the removal
of effort for these fishermen through the
buy-back of licenses. The Country Liberals
will work with the industry to determine
a fair price for license buyback based on
a unit measure and will invite submission
from interested license holders.
Law Enforcement
While Labor has severely neglected
fisheries police, the Country Liberals
Government will take them seriously.
We will ensure the fisheries unit within
NT Police will be properly resourced to
apprehend those breaking the law.
Under Labor, the fisheries police unit
has decreased from 21 officers to
14 officers. The Country Liberals will
review this arrangement and conduct a
comprehensive review of fisheries police
equipment including boats, to ensure the
unit can do their job effectively.
Fishing and Boat Safety
Safety on the Territory’s waterways will
be a top priority of a Country Liberals
Government. Overcrowding of dinghies,
reckless behaviour and inappropriate
consumption of alcohol are all issues in
the Territory and can lead to harm and
even loss of life.
The Country Liberals will work with
AFANT and the Seafood Industry Council
to develop a comprehensive safety
awareness and education programme
delivered to the community, schools and
remote and rural communities within the
first 6 months of forming government.
Security
A Country Liberals Government will
commit to the trial of installation and
monitoring of security cameras at
boat ramps where there is known high
occurrence of crime. This will not only
ensure those who break the law are
punished and act as a deterrent to
would be criminals, it will also allow
anglers to relax while they are enjoying
the Territory’s great lifestyle, with the
knowledge and peace of mind that their
vehicles and valuables will be safe.
Boat Ramps
A Country Liberals Government will
develop a self launch boat ramp at
Dundee Beach and undertake a major
review of boat ramps at; Adelaide
River, Gunn Point, Shady Camp, Daly
River, Dinah Beach, Buffalo Creek and
Palmerston. The review will also include
caretaker facilities, security, toilet and
shower facilities, access roads and
lighting. The review will in particular
look at the possibility of developing a
secondary ramp at Shady Camp as wells
as tidal issues, possible dredging and
expansion at other ramps.
The Country Liberals will also commit
to identifying new suburban based boat
ramps in areas readily accessible to
anglers at suburban foreshores such as
the existing Ski Club boat ramp area.
A review of all roads to popular Territory
fishing spots will also be conducted with
particular emphasis on the possibility of
upgrading Gunn Point Road.
Daly River
Considered to be the “Mecca” for
recreational fishing, the Country Liberals
will ensure the Daly River is managed for
the benefit of all Territorians into the future.
The Country Liberals will ensure the Daly
River becomes a tourism hub and strong
contributor to the Territory economy while
conducting long term and comprehensive
research and monitoring of the area, to
ensure it remains ecologically sustainable.
Buy Back of Licenses
A Country Liberals Government will
reduce the commercial fishing activity
in areas deemed most important to
recreational fishing activities.
However, before any buy back schemes
are implemented the impacts on
existing commercial operators will be
fully investigated as well as the impact
on employment, value of licences,
businesses servicing the commercial
seafood industry and recreational anglers.
Blue Mud Bay
The Country Liberals are against permits
and payments for fishing; and unlike
Labor we will inform Territorians of
any negotiations or agreements with
traditional owners. Labor has had four
years to sort out the High Court’s Blue
Mud Bay decision and they still haven’t
reached a resolution. And they’ve hidden
important information from Territorians
along the way.
Marine Parks
A Country Liberals Government will adopt
a ‘common sense’ approach to marine
parks and will not establish any marine
parks where they are not needed. Any
proposals for a marine protected area
must be based on demonstrated need
and provide clear benefits.
Unlike Paul Henderson and Labor we will
not make any decisions on marine parks
without consulting the community first.
We will not meddle with the environment
– at a huge cost to Territory taxpayers –
where interference is not necessary.
Awards and Recognition
A Country Liberals Government will
establish a Territory Recreational Fisheries
Award programme to honour individuals
and organisations for their contribution
to the conservation, restoration
and enhancement of the Territory’s
recreational fisheries and their habitat.
Open Communication
A Country Liberals Government will create
separate departments of Primary Industry
and Fisheries and Minerals and Energy in
order to facilitate better investment and
development in the industry.
We will also re-open a direct line of
communication with the relevant Minister
by re-establishing Ministerial Advisory
Councils and a new office of recreational
fishing within the department.
While Labor has guarded their Ministers
with so-called ‘gatekeepers’ a Country
Liberals Minister will always be available
to industry and community groups.
MEDIA RELEASE
COUNTRY LIBERALS WILL CLOSE CHAMBERS AND FINKE BAY
August 10th, 2012
A significant Top End fishery will be closed to commercial barramundi fishing if the Country Liberals win
Government on August 25th.
Opposition Leader, Terry Mills, said increasing fishery options for recreational anglers and providing fair
compensation for commercial fishermen would be a priority for a future Country Liberals Government.
“We will introduce exclusive access to Chambers and Finke bays for recreational fishing and will close these
areas to commercial barramundi fishing,” Mr Mills said.
“I have engaged with the commercial license holders regarding appropriate compensation and removal of
effort in order to cover the loss of value that these closures will have to the industry.”
Mr Mills said the process of barramundi license buy-backs had stalled under the Labor Government who
had failed to match rhetoric with substantive outcomes.
“Labor’s 2008 election promise to buy back commercial licenses has been an abject fizzer.
“There have been no buy backs and the lack of consultation around the recent closures has only served to
further divide stakeholders.
“Today’s announcement is about improving recreational fishing access in the Northern Territory, promoting
tourism and value adding the Territory’s lifestyle.
“I am aware of the impact of closures on commercial fishing operators but am committed to an open and
transparent negotiation process that clearly informs all parties.”
Deputy Opposition Leader, Kezia Purick, said boosting recreational fishing is a key component to the
Country Liberals plan to develop a 3-hub economy.
“There are an estimated 40,000 recreational anglers in the Northern Territory and the industry is worth
approximately $90million to the economy,” she said.
“The Country Liberals recreational fishing policy includes a commitment to assessing marine police
resourcing, trialling security cameras on boat ramps and a commitment ruling out permits and licenses to
access Territory waters.”