Fish Habitat Signs Helping To Educate Gold Coast C

[Ken A]

A series of Fish Habitat Area (FHA) signs have been established throughout the Gold Coast region as part of an ongoing Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) extension campaign.

The signs are located at key sites on the Gold Coast, helping the community to understand the importance of FHAs in protecting fisheries resources.

The signs feature a map showing where the FHAs are located as well as information about what activities are allowed within a FHA.

DPI&F senior fisheries biologist Scott McKinnon said there were currently six declared FHAs within the Gold Coast area at Jumpinpin-Broadwater, Pimpama, Coomera, Coombabah, Tallebudgera Creek and Currumbin Creek.

Mr McKinnon said these areas provided high-level protection for more than 12,000 hectares of the most productive estuarine fish habitats within the Gold Coast.

“These areas support significant recreational and commercial fisheries that are an integral part of the Gold Coast lifestyle for both residents and tourists,” he said.

“Ongoing protection and management of fish habitats, combined with effective planning and managing surrounding catchments are essential in ensuring fish stocks and fisheries within the Gold Coast region remain sustainable.”

FHAs were first introduced to Queensland in 1969 to protect fish habitats from the impacts of ongoing coastal developments.

These habitats are critical to the long-term sustainability of the State’s fisheries, protecting natural fish habitats from alteration and degradation, while still allowing community access to the area and legal fishing activities to continue.

With the support of commercial and recreational fishers and local governments, DPI&F now manages more than 700,000 hectares of high quality fish habitats in a statewide network.