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Mission Beach Local Marine Advisory Committee (Mission Beach LMAC)

The region is known for the endangered cassowary, which lives in the remaining coastal rainforest near Mission Beach. Mission Beach straddles the boundary between the Johnstone and Cardwell Shires. Both shires are situated in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

The main industries in the region are agriculture (sugar cane, bananas and tropical fruits) and tourism. There are sugar mills in Tully and South Johnstone. A commercial fishing fleet operates out of Innisfail.

Mission Beach LMAC region

The Mission Beach LMAC is concerned with the area extending from Flying Fish Point in the north (Johnstone Shire) to Tully Heads in the south (Cardwell Shire) and includes the coastal towns of Innisfail, Mission Beach, Bingle Bay, Kurrimine Beach and Mourilyan.

Who is represented on the Mission Beach LMAC?

Members of the Mission Beach LMAC represent a diversity of interest groups including catchment management groups; commercial and recreational fishing interests; primary industries; conservation groups; community groups and local councils. Government officers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) also attend the committee meetings.

What are some of the current issues the LMAC is concerned with?

  • Involvement in the natural resource management board for the Wet Tropics
  • Monitoring of seagrasses off Mission Beach
  • Involved in the Mission Beach Community Sewerage Advisory Committee
  • Innovations on the land for ecologically sustainable farming practices
  • Clump Point marina proposal
  • Innisfail boat harbour development
  • Fishing regulations and impacts of fishing
  • Participation in water quality testing
  • Production of a fishing and boating guide for the area
  • Moorings
  • Tully Floodplain Renewal Project
  • Involved in supporting the Reef Guardian Schools programme.

What the LMAC has accomplished?

  • Successful lobbying for the introduction of a no-trawl area off Mission Beach (introduced 18 April 2002) in response to discarded trawl by-catch washed up on local beaches
  • Substantial input to Representative Areas Programme and rezoning of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
  • Received Natural Heritage Trust funding in 2003 to establish a community based Seagrass Watch programme
  • Ongoing liaison with industry and catchment groups
  • Greater consultation with the community, especially the Innisfail area
  • Establishment of Mission Beach Seabed Watch Inc. and commencement of seagrass monitoring programme following the inshore trawl closure in the area
  • Enhanced involvement with schools participating in the Reef Guardians School programme
  • Extensive contribution of members’ time and resources to liaise with the community and translate community input in relation to the Representative Areas Programme
  • Successful nomination of Chair, Bill Shannon to the Board of the FNQ NRM Ltd.
  • Publication of a fishing and boating guide for the area.

Further information about LMACs

For further information on Local Marine Advisory Committees, please contact:

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Far Northern Regional Office
PO Box 6091
CAIRNS   QLD   4870

Tel:  (07) 4051 7132
Fax: (07) 4051 9744

Email: far.northern.region@gbrmpa.gov.au

Public Comments

If there is a local issue that concerns you, please contact the Chair or Secretary of the committee.

Chair:               Bill Shannon     Email: shannon@znet.net.au

Secretary:       Heather Hine

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