The LNP has moved to block new regulations that will destroy the livelihoods of commercial fishers and increase the cost of seafood for Queensland consumers.
Shadow Fisheries Minister Tony Perrett is calling on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to work with recreational and commercial fishers to get the balance right.
“Labor’s consultation was a sham and I’m calling on Annastacia Palaszczuk to intervene,” Mr Perrett said today.
“No one disputes that we need a sustainable fishing industry but these new regulations will cost jobs and increase the cost of seafood for consumers.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government needs to work with industry, not sell them out chasing Greens preferences.
“Recreational fishers have also been hit and will face a reduction in the total take of mud crabs, new limits for blue swimmer crabs and a decrease in the possession limit for pippis.
“Labor’s Fisheries Minister needs to release the science he is using to justify these draconian changes.”
The LNP’s disallowance motion calling on Labor to strike down the changes must be debated by State Parliament by the end of October.
The LNP has also moved to disallow the fast-tracking of the Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) rollout to 1 January 2020.
“Only a few weeks ago the State Coroner slammed the Agriculture Minister’s department over the VMS rollout,” Mr Perrett said.
“The coroner said that the policy of not sharing data with police was unacceptable following the deaths of eight fishermen on the trawlers Dianne and Cassandra.”
