The Queensland Labor Party’s proposed gillnet ban for Moreton Bay would help protect its extraordinary marine life, including endangered turtles and dugongs, the Australian Marine Conservation Society said in response to the election pledge to introduce new net-free zones in south-east Queensland.
AMCS Great Barrier Reef Fisheries Campaign Manager Simon Miller said: “Gillnet-free zones on the Great Barrier Reef have provided much needed protection to threatened species such as dugongs, turtles and dolphins, while those implemented in 2015 have led to increases in the size and local populations of iconic fish species such as barramundi and king threadfin.
“The Queensland Labor Party’s $38 million pledge to introduce new gillnet-free zones in south-east Queensland could have similar impacts for the rich marine life of Moreton Bay, including dolphins, dugongs, loggerhead and green turtles.
“The Queensland Liberal National Party’s position on the critical issue of gillnets is unclear. We urge the LNP to commit to delivering the full phase out of gillnets from the Great Barrier Reef by June 2027 and securing the net-free zones in key threatened species habitats in Moreton Bay and the Gulf of Carpentaria.
“Gillnets are indiscriminate killers, which are responsible for the deaths of dugongs, turtles and sharks. More sustainable fishing methods such as tunnel nets will continue to provide sustainably caught local seafood in south-east Queensland.”