- Communities across the Cape represented
- 2020 election commitment delivered
- $200,000 grant program to be launched
A newly established Cape York Special Fisheries Working Group will work closely with key regional stakeholders to identify new economic pathways through charter fisheries and tourism operations while ensuring sustainable fisheries are maintained in Cape York.
On a visit to the Torres Strait, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner announced the composition of the new 10-person Cape York Special Fisheries Working Group to provide advice on fisheries issues in the region.
The establishment of the 10-person working group fulfills a Palaszczuk Government commitment made at the 2020 State election.
The new Working Group is a non-statutory advisory body which provides advice that will be considered alongside advice and information from Fisheries Queensland, the Sustainable Fisheries Expert Panel and other Government agencies.
Collectively this will inform decisions on the management of our fisheries and best practice fisheries management and implementation of the Queensland Sustainable Fisheries Strategy: 2017–2027.
The Queensland Government has also set aside $200,000 for a Cape York Fisheries Economic Pathways Grants Program to be launched later this year, further meeting the State Government's 2020 election commitment.
In accordance with its Terms of Reference, the Working Group is comprised of up to 11 members, including an independent Chair. Membership consists of representatives from Cape York First Nations communities, community development, fishing industry, Local Government, Non-Government Organisations and private enterprise.
The inaugural members of the special working group will be:
- Brendon Wymarra - Northern Peninsula Area (NPA)
- Clinton Williams - Pormpuraaw
- David Clarke - Lockhart River
- Frank Proctor - Wuthanthi/NPA
- Jack Jans - Mapoon/central Western Cape
- John Dockrill - Mossman/Wujal Wujal
- Linc Walker - Cape Tribulaton
- Toni Hodges - Cairns
- Wanjibung Shaun Edwards - Kowanyama/Cairns
- Kirsty Burchill - Mossman Gorge
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner:
"I am thrilled to deliver on our election promise to establish a Special Fisheries Working Group for Cape York.
"These partnerships with Cape communities will play an important role in developing and maintaining fisheries in the region.
"Charter fishing and fishing tourism are an important economic opportunity for Cape communities and this working group will help to identify those opportunities and make them real."
Quotes Attributable to Member for Cook Cynthia Lui:
"Fisheries are an integral part of life on the Cape York, providing sustenance and income to many communities.
"Maximising the value of our world-renowned Cape fisheries in a sustainable way is crucial, and that's what this working group will help to deliver."
