An old fishing vessel built in Alabama will next month be sunk in the middle of Moreton Bay and become a new artificial reef for recreational fishermen, Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones said today.

Ms Jones, inspecting the Tiwi Pearl at a shipyard in Hemmant, said the 24-metre, 96-tonne ship form a major extension to Harry Atkinson Reef, east of St Helena Island.

"This is an old girl of the sea who will continue to help fishermen in retirement," Ms Jones said.

"But instead of catching fish, she'll soon be attracting fish.

"We purchased the Tiwi Pearl as part of the Bligh Government's election commitment to build six new artificial reefs in Moreton Bay.

"The ship will become the centrepiece of Harry Atkinson Reef and help attract many more bait fish, small tuna and mackerel than current numbers."

Ms Jones said the extension to Harry Atkinson was the first of six artificial reef projects worth a total $2 milli on to provide more recreational fishing opportunities in Moreton Bay.

"The artificial reefs are a proven way of attracting fish and there's no better spot than Harry Atkinson to sink this old timer and increase fishing opportunities in the fishing zones," she said. said.

The Tiwi Pearl was built in the mid-1960s in Alabama, the United States.

The ship spent time working in the Torres Strait pearl fishery before being converted and used in the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery out of Mooloolaba. It usually went to sea with a skipper and four other crew members.

The vessel suffered a fire on the rear deck last June and was subsequently written off. Ms Jones said the main engine, generators, hydraulic equipment and refrigeration had all been stripped from hull to make it fit for sinking.

"While the advice of naval architects is currently being sought, it is expected to be sunk by flooding which is simpler than explosives," she said. "Both the Department of Environment and Resource Management and Maritime Safety Queensland have inspected the Tiwi Pearl and given her the all-clear for sinking.

"The previous owners, Cartwright Tuna, have done an excellent job of cleaning her."

Ms Jones said the Tiwi Pearl will provide an excellent structure to attract marine animals and its large size and height will become home to the many species favoured by recreational fishers.

"In addition to the Tiwi Pearl the extension to the Harry Atkinson Artificial Reef will include other material such as concrete castings and possibly quarry rock being sunk at five separate sites over the next six months," Ms Jones said.

"This will enable more recreational fishing vessels to fish the artificial reef at the same time.

"The Harry Atkinson Artificial Reef was established in 1975 and over the next five years more than 17,000 tyres were deployed.

"In 1987, 200 shopping trolleys were placed on the reef but sinking the Tiwi pearl in this location will more than triple the size of the reef - it's a massive extension.

"As the focus of the Moreton Bay Marine Park artificial reef program is creating recreational fishing opportunities, diving will not be permitted on the Tiwi Pearl."

The Tiwi Pearl will be sunk next month depending on suitable tidal conditions.

The exact coordinates of where the Tiwi Pearl is sunk will be placed on DERM's website www.derm.qld.gov.au.

Sites have been chosen for four of the six reefs - Harry Atkinson Artificial Reef, Wild Banks, east of Bribie Island, a site north of Moreton Island and one off south Stradbroke Island. Materials will start to be deposited at these sites this year. 
 

Marine Queensland today voiced serious concerns with the Gold Coast City Council’s handling of the Tipplers Resort located on the northern end of South Stradbroke Island.

Marine destinations are essential community and tourism facilities within the Gold Coast region.  Boating destinations are important community assets and are a critical part of the recreational and light commercial marine industry for the Gold Coast.  They are essential for many community boating clubs, marine tourism operators and marine industry operators.

Marine Queensland General Manager, Don Jones, said the acquisition and subsequent closure by Council of the Tipplers Resort has significant implications for the marine industry in the region and called on Council to urgently enter into meaningful consultation with the marine industry.

“The handling of this issue leaves much to be desired.  It is far more important than petty local politics and face saving.  We have consistently said we have a plan for this destination which will deliver many benefits to the local community as well as visitors and the industries that support them in the region.  To date no meaningful consultation has occurred and it is time to engage with the experts to deliver a solution to the Gold Coast Community urgently.” said Jones.

The 2009 Queensland Marine Industry Annual Report has been completed providing an overall review of the performance of Queensland’s marine industry. 

“2009 was an extremely tough year for the Marine Industry as a whole however as the report shows opportunities do exist for industry growth and development as we move into 2010” said Don Jones, General Manager of Marine Queensland.

Queensland Transport recorded a total of 233, 224 registered recreational marine vessels in 2009, an increase of 2.7% on 2008.  The average size for registered recreational vessels in Queensland was between 4.1 and 4.5m and 95% of vessels are still 8m in length or under.

“The continued growth in vessel registrations pays tribute to the importance recreational boating plays in the lives of Queenslanders.  It is evident, despite increasing pressures on household budgets, that the community has not abandoned their boating lifestyle” said Jones.

In September 2009, 50% of recreational boat registrations in Queensland were located in the State’s south eastern corner.  Except for vessels with sails, Gold Coast City continued to have the most registrations overall and in each class. 

The demand for recreational marine licences has continued to experience a steady increase of 6% on last year with 723, 506 licences currently registered in Queensland.

“An increase in the number of people becoming involved with boating means an increase in the demand for access to and availability of boating infrastructure,” said Jones, “We are facing a series of infrastructure challenges to meet this demand including infrastructure cost escalations, ageing assets requiring increased levels of maintenance and demanding environmental approval processes often requiring extended periods for approvals to materialise.”

Given that current trends in recreational vessel numbers continue over the next five years it has been identified that an additional twenty marinas will be required Australia wide. A key challenge for the state’s marina operators and developers is development of best practice policy for commercial lease frameworks to support the ongoing economic development of the marine industry.

The impact of the global financial crisis on Queensland’s marine businesses saw a third of businesses reduce staff whilst annual revenue per business declined on average by 33%.

Despite the continuing global economic uncertainty a number of opportunities exist for the industry and for those marine businesses with capability and capacity.  Opportunities include industry rebuilding with a focus on increasing efficiency and developing technological advantage as well as building on co-management models for the governance of infrastructure, marine parks and fisheries.

This is the second Queensland Marine Industry Annual Report commissioned by Marine Queensland, the state industry body representing the needs and interests of Queensland’s recreational and light commercial marine industry.  For a full copy of the 2009 Queensland Marine Industry Annual Report please contact Marine Queensland on (07) 3390 4657.

A favourable result for Queensland Marinas was reached at a State Parliamentary sitting in Brisbane yesterday.  Andrew Fraser, Treasurer and Minister for Employment and Economic Development, declared that marinas operating as community facilities will not be included as part of the proposed sale of the Port of Brisbane and associated boat harbours.

“These are legacy community facilities which, for historical reasons, have been in the ownership and management of the Port of Brisbane Corporation” stated Fraser, “They are obviously not the core business or a major containerised trading port”

Marine Queensland had earlier expressed concerns regarding the proposed sell-off.  A submission made to the Queensland Government highlighted the impact the proposed sell-off would have on both recreational boat users and marina based businesses.

“Boat harbours are an important community asset, they are a critical part of the recreational and light commercial industry in this state” said Don Jones, General Manager of Marine Queensland.

Activities such as boating and fishing have become popular and affordable holiday and recreation alternatives.  Yesterday’s announcement protects access to these activities and gives marina based businesses assurance that their tenancies will not be impacted by the Port of Brisbane sale.