7 February 2007

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) recently announced a three-year funding grant to the community-based Capricorn Reef Monitoring Programme, also known as CapReef.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Executive Director John Tanzer said CapReef will receive $10 000 funding per year, for three years.

“CapReef is a fantastic example of community, government and scientists working together and we are delighted to support them,” Mr Tanzer said.

“The partnership is very much two way.  We are learning a lot from the locals about how they value and use the Marine Park.  In particular, I would point to the excellent work and efforts of both the Capricorn Coast and Gladstone Local Marine Advisory Committees.”

Mr Tanzer said the community programme was established to collect information on the effects on fish and fishers in the local Capricorn area following the rezoning of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Queensland Government changes to fisheries management including bag and size limits in 2004. 

“They have a series of on-going projects including collecting fish catch information from fishing clubs and recreational fishers, fish tagging, boat ramp surveys and underwater video survey. They also collect information on changes in fishing locations and fisher behaviour resulting from management changes.

“CapReef is playing a pivotal role in helping the local community understand and be involved in the management of the Great Barrier Reef.

CapReef’s Bill Sawynok said the programme had received enormous support from the Capricorn Coast community.

“We collected details on 1279 offshore fishing trips for 2005/06 and we were able to use this information to estimate catch rates,” he said.

“We determined that the total catch was 17 844 and that around 60.7 per cent of the fish caught were released.

“This information combined with the two reports we released in 2006 provide reef managers with a great picture of the fishery in our area.”

Mr Sawynok encouraged all reef fishers to become involved in the programme and support their local fishery.

“They don’t even need to fill out any forms – just call the free CapReef hotline on 1800 077 001 after your fishing trip and answer a few simple questions.”

Further information about CapReef can be found at www.info-fish.net.