Mr MITCHELL - 1994-10-05
I refer the minister to Brisbane's Courier Mail of 17 September 1994, which reported that the Queensland Labor government has banned recreational fishing in that state's national parks, and a subsequent article by Sunday Territorian fishing columnist, Matt Flynn, that
Page 172
quoted the Queensland government as saying that it was all a big mistake and that all fishing was banned only in 328 of the state's 360 national parks. Can the minister inform the Assembly of the status of recreational fishing activity in the Northern Territory, including in our own growing national parks system?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, confusion over what is banned or otherwise in Queensland's national parks is yet another example of what happens when the electorate has the misfortune to have a Labor government. It has nothing to do with the conservation of fish stocks. However, the CLP government in the Northern Territory believes that parks are for people. We believe in managing the resource, including the fishery, and not banning or even confusing law-abiding anglers who want to fish in the dozen or so national parks in the Top End which lend themselves to recreational fishing.
To illustrate my point, I take this opportunity to launch officially the 1994 edition of the Territory Fishing and Boating Guide. It is the second such publication by the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries. Its aim is to encourage people to go fishing in safety, with due regard to conservation of our fish resources, and still have a reasonable expectation of landing the big one. The guide provides useful information on local fish species, fisheries research and management, the Territory's parks and reserves, public boat ramps, fishing and diving clubs, tourism operators and information centres.
In contrast to Labor's regime of prohibition and confusion in Queensland, the guide includes a section entitled, 'Angling in the Parks'. This lists the dozen or so Territory parks, as well as the federally-controlled Kakadu National Park, and where various fish species are most likely to be on the bite. As well as telling anglers where the fish are and how to catch them, it spells out bag limits and minimum sizes for various aquatic species, and lays down the rules the Northern Territory government has implemented to maintain the most effectively managed fishery in Australia. Our recreational fishery is an important adjunct of the Territory's tourism industry to the extent of about $60m per year and the guide is an invaluable handbook for visitors and tourists. It is available free of charge at tackle shops, boat yards and tourism centres.
Mr Speaker, I table a copy of the 1994 edition of the Northern Territory Fishing and Boating Guide. I have provided the attendants with sufficient copies to distribute to members.
Page 173
Page 172
quoted the Queensland government as saying that it was all a big mistake and that all fishing was banned only in 328 of the state's 360 national parks. Can the minister inform the Assembly of the status of recreational fishing activity in the Northern Territory, including in our own growing national parks system?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, confusion over what is banned or otherwise in Queensland's national parks is yet another example of what happens when the electorate has the misfortune to have a Labor government. It has nothing to do with the conservation of fish stocks. However, the CLP government in the Northern Territory believes that parks are for people. We believe in managing the resource, including the fishery, and not banning or even confusing law-abiding anglers who want to fish in the dozen or so national parks in the Top End which lend themselves to recreational fishing.
To illustrate my point, I take this opportunity to launch officially the 1994 edition of the Territory Fishing and Boating Guide. It is the second such publication by the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries. Its aim is to encourage people to go fishing in safety, with due regard to conservation of our fish resources, and still have a reasonable expectation of landing the big one. The guide provides useful information on local fish species, fisheries research and management, the Territory's parks and reserves, public boat ramps, fishing and diving clubs, tourism operators and information centres.
In contrast to Labor's regime of prohibition and confusion in Queensland, the guide includes a section entitled, 'Angling in the Parks'. This lists the dozen or so Territory parks, as well as the federally-controlled Kakadu National Park, and where various fish species are most likely to be on the bite. As well as telling anglers where the fish are and how to catch them, it spells out bag limits and minimum sizes for various aquatic species, and lays down the rules the Northern Territory government has implemented to maintain the most effectively managed fishery in Australia. Our recreational fishery is an important adjunct of the Territory's tourism industry to the extent of about $60m per year and the guide is an invaluable handbook for visitors and tourists. It is available free of charge at tackle shops, boat yards and tourism centres.
Mr Speaker, I table a copy of the 1994 edition of the Northern Territory Fishing and Boating Guide. I have provided the attendants with sufficient copies to distribute to members.
Page 173
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016