Our Projects: Mesh Net Code of Best Practice
The Mesh (and Bait) net Code of Best Practice is an active document that details agreed upon techniques employed by the region’s professional mesh net fishers designed to minimalize environmental impact and ensure social acceptability. The document focuses on several aspects of the fishery and fishing operations including but not limited to bycatch reduction, protected species interactions, and interactions with other marine park users. The document, whilst currently under-development, will have across the board support among professional mesh fishers. Accompanying this document will be several workshops developed by MBSIA and senior industry leaders designed to assist less-experienced entrants to the local industry understand how they can improve their operation from an environmental, social, and economic standpoint. This Code of Best Practice will further be used to demonstrate to the public and government the sustainability and importance of the industry to the local region.
Project managers/ authors:
Max Giaroli, John Page, Greg Savige, Bill Michel
Timeframe: September 2022- September 2023
Project objectives
•To aggregate the best mesh netting practices and gear modifications employed throughout the industry in Moreton Bay into a single document
•through consensus, establish improved practices in areas where fishers are keen to move forward to achieve even better outcomes
•Demonstrate to both the public and to government the sustainable environmental, social, and economic practices of the mesh net industry in Moreton Bay
•Provide a reference point for less-experienced fishers to improve the environmental sustainability, social acceptance, and economic certainty of their operation
Funded by DAFF, Qld
