Developmental pipi and bivalve mollusc fishery in Southern Queensland

Notice of Application for Developmental Fishing

Date of notice: Wednesday 9 July 2008

Notice is hereby given that the Chief Executive, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) has received applications for permits issued under section 204 of the Fisheries Regulation 2008,to undertake developmental fishing. Submissions are invited about the proposed developmental fishing activities outlined below.

Objective of the proposed developmental fishery

The objective of the proposed developmental fishing activity is to assess the economic viability and ecological sustainability of bivalve harvesting in southern Queensland and to contribute to the development of profitable primary industries in Queensland.

Description of the proposed developmental fishing activity

Application 1: Harvest of a range of edible bivalve molluscs (Order Bivalvia), including pipis (Donax deltoides), from ocean beaches and waters along the southern Queensland coastline (including coastal islands) to Gladstone (latitude 23.5 degrees South).

• The applicant proposes to harvest bivalves using up to 10 assistants.
• Harvesting is proposed to occur by hand or with the assistance of hand held rake devices and where necessary with the use of underwater breathing apparatus.
• Harvesting is proposed to be conducted in a rotational fashion to distribute effort between available areas. The applicant intends to adapt spatial/rotational harvesting patterns based on information on stock distribution and abundance patterns, collected during the initial stages of the fishery.
• Initial harvest quantities of 10 tonnes (whole weight) per year are proposed, while information is collected on stock abundance and distribution. Subsequent increases in harvest quantities are to be based on information collected in the initial period and indications of Maximum Sustainable Yield.
• The applicant intends to avoid conflict of use with other user groups.
• The applicant has extensive experience working in and delivering research for dive-based fisheries and has been involved in the development of sustainable fisheries management systems.
• Product is to be sold for bait and for human consumption (dependent on meeting food safety standards).

Application 2: Harvest of pipis (Donax deltoides) from ocean beaches of North Stradbroke Island by a small group of local Indigenous persons and their family members.

• The applicant seeks to conduct activities initially under an Indigenous Fishing Permit. Depending on the performance and viability of the fishery, the applicant may seek to progress it further under a Developmental Fishing Permit.
• Harvesting is proposed to occur by hand or with the assistance of hand held rake devices.
• Initial harvest quantities of 16 tonnes (whole weight) per year are proposed.
• Harvesting is proposed to be conducted in a rotational fashion (moving progressively from the North to the South of the island) to distribute effort across available beaches.
• Product is to be sold for bait and for human consumption (dependent on meeting food safety standards).

Further applications: Several other persons have expressed interest in the proposed developmental fishery however formal applications have not been received to date. It is anticipated that further applications will be made during the next three months.

To obtain further information

Enquiries should be directed to the Business Information Centre, DPI&F, on telephone 13 25 23 or email Callweb@dpi.qld.gov.au.

Making a submission

Any person or entity may make a submission about any aspect of the proposed developmental fishing activity outlined above. The submission should:

• be in writing, dated and signed by each person or entity making the submission;
• state the name and address of each person or entity making the submission; and
• state the grounds of the submission and (where possible) the facts and circumstances relied on.

Please submit written comments to DPI&F Fisheries Resource Management, GPO Box 46, Brisbane Qld 4001 by COB Friday 8 August 2008.

Developmental & exploratory fisheries in Queensland page.

Last updated 8 July 2008