Going green benefit for anglers

A NEW study claims the expansion of controversial green zones banning fishing will be great for local anglers, but they are far from convinced.

Authors of a recent paper examining the impact of the expansion of no fishing green zones in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park have described the move as a blessing in disguise for fishermen.

Local anglers were left reeling in 2005 when about 80% of Bundaberg’s fishing heartland fell into the protected green zones.

Five years on, marine ecologist and co-author of the paper Laurence McCook believes the expansion will mean more bites and fuller eskies for local anglers.

“It is the goose that lays the golden egg,” he said.

The bio-mass of reef fish species such as coral trout, red emperor and red-throat emperor has been shown to have doubled in protected areas on the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.

Mr McCook believes fish species in fishermen-friendly blue zones will rise in line with increases in the green zones.

“With these numbers of fish they will move out into unprotected areas as well so we believe it’s good news for fishermen as well as eco-systems in the area,” he said.

“This can guarantee the future fish populations in the fished areas.”

Bundaberg Sportfishing Club member Darryl Lindeman fiercely refutes the study.

He believes green zones caused a famine situation, which will also lead to reduced growth rates for popular reef species.

“There are twice as many eating off the one table. Is that a good thing?” Mr Lindeman said.

“The food stock of that reef will be depleted unless they disperse – which they don’t.

“They won’t go across open water to another patch.”

Mr Lindeman would welcome rotation of green zones to alleviate the problem.

“We already have bag limits that change all the time, size limits that change all the time, spawning closures – so what’s the difference?”