ABC Rural

Latest Report

You can listen to all today's interviews by clicking on the mp3 link to the right

Recreational fishers angry with new rules

New rules and regulations for commercial and recreational fishing in Queensland have come in for heavy criticism from anglers.

Queensland's population has doubled in the last 30 years, and with more people owning boats now than ever before, the pressure has been increasing on fisheries.

The changes are aimed at protecting the resource while trying to strike a catch-share balance between the two sectors.

The majority of the changes announced yesterday pertain to the Inshore Fin Fish Fishery which runs along the Queensland East Coast.

Mark Lightowler from the Department of Fisheries says most of the changes take effect in March, and include new bag and size limits for some of the state's most popular species including grunter and whiting.

Recreational fishing lobby group Sunfish is not happy with the bag and size limits for some of the species including whiting.

Mackay Sunfish chairman Lance Murray says they feel like they've been made to bear the brunt of sustainability of behalf of the fishery.

Beale review adds firepower to banana battle

The banana industry says the Beale review of Australia's quarantine system has given it more ammunition in its fight against Filipino Cavendish bananas.

Yesterday the Federal Government gave in-principle support to 84 recommendations from the Beale review.

One of those will see Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and Biosecurity Australia merge.

The Australian Banana Growers Council has been in eight year battle with Biosecurity Australia trying to keep Filipino banana imports out.

The industry says the Philippines has 21 pests and diseases that Australia doesn't have, and it doesn't think these could be stopped from coming in on the imports.

The Biosecurity Australia's final Import Risk Assessment says the risks can be managed and has recommendated imports be allowed in.

Tony Heidrich from the ABGC says the Beale review hasn't come too late for the industry and could be useful in any legal action the banana industry might launch against Biosecurity Australia.

Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has slammed the Beale review as being a further labialisation of Australia's trade.

He says putting quarantine and biosecurity at further arms length from Government is madness.

The Independent MP has the vast majority of Australia's banana growers in his electorate, and he says he's ready to take Biosecurity Australia to court to keep Filipino imports out of Australia.