Asked on 26 October 2010
MR DOWLING asked the Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland (MR MULHERIN)–
QUESTION
With reference to the Suntag program which is recognised worldwide as the best tag database with over 600 000 tags in the database and as this data is used to maintain a healthy fishery in Queensland—
Why was funding withdrawn from what was an obviously successful tagging program supported by stakeholders?
ANSWER:
The value of the Suntag program as an information source for fisheries management and related purposes is acknowledged, and it will continue to be supported for this reason.
Funding has not been withdrawn, it is $53,045 for the 2010-11 financial year.
The reduction reflects funding available from the Private Pleasure Vessel (PPV) levy, which also supports other initiatives including funding 100 fishing clinics over the next three years under the Government’s Living the Queensland Lifestyle policy.
For the 2010-11 financial year $58,500 has been allocated to Sunfish Queensland for provision of free fishing clinics for kids. Currently 7 of the 34 fishing clinics have been delivered since 1 July 2010.