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Issue 159 | Thursday, 21 May, 2015
Real Estate Lifestyle Noosa's Wee
kly Real Esta
Page 19
te Guide 21 May, 2015
Noosa – it tastes so good THOUSANDS of locals, visitors, budding chefs, wine enthusiasts and producers from around the globe flocked to Noosa for the International Food and Wine Festival over the weekend. Unlike last year, the sun shone on the festival village with only a sprinkling of rain on the Sunday that didn’t deter the crowds. A host of events were offered this year, with something for every foodie’s taste from Asian inspired food trails to women’s networking lunches and a producer’s hall where locals and visitors could buy some of the world’s best products from cheese to caviar and everything in between. Noosa Heads Officer in Charge Senior Sergeant Steve McReight said event goers were well-behaved, with no major incidents reported during the Finalists in Australia’s Best Home Cooked Dish Competition 2015: John Beany of Melbourne, Louise Di Virgilio of Adelaide, Beth McMillan from Sydney, April Copf of Perth and Jacqui Smythe at the Noosa International Food and Wine Festival. Picture: DARRYN SMITH four-day festival.
Sea change planned By JOLENE OGLE THE net has been cast wide for Fisheries Queensland, which is likely to undergo major reform following the release of a report that outlines 80 substantial recommendations. It has vowed to rip off the BandAids that have been patching up policy in the past, with a view to boosting fish stocks and more closely monitoring commercial catches. All Noosa locals are invited to have their say on the recommendations and independent report into Queensland’s fisheries management, with all aspects of commercial, rec-
reational and traditional fishing open for scrutiny. Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Bill Byrne said the report, prepared by MRAG Asia Pacific, recommends significant long-term changes to the current fisheries management arrangements. “The report makes 80 substantial recommendations, including significantly altering the allocation of fisheries resources,” he said. The government has released the previously restricted report and is encouraging locals to have their say on the recommendations for commercial, recreational and traditional fishing.
The report states the current fisheries management system is “by any measure, exceedingly complex and inadequate to deal with the modern challenges”. “Many stakeholders have characterised the current arrangements as ‘Band-Aids upon Band-Aids’ and this is not too far from the mark,” the report said. From the 17 public meetings with 500 attendees and 280 written submissions received from fishers, environmentalists, government agencies and others during last year’s review process, the report found Queenslanders want clear govern-
ment policy framework and unambiguous legislation. Healthy fish stocks and aquatic ecosystems, secure rights to a sustainable share of the catch, timely and transparent decision-making, and sufficient resourcing to meet management needs were among the top demands from review respondents. The recommendations include developing a credible system to independently verify information reported in commercial catch and effort logbooks, the re-establishment of the independent scientific observer program, plus all buyers of com-
mercial fish in Queensland should be registered and have an obligation to periodically report their purchases to Fisheries Queensland (FQ). If the recommendations are adopted they are expected to benefit commercial, recreational, and customary fishers as well as future generations and the environment with improved maintenance of fish stock. Noosa commercial, recreational and traditional fishers are invited to have their say, along with locals who want to share their view. To complete the review survey visit www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au. 1181353-LB17-15
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