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Fishermen take science on board24 November 2005 Queensland line fishermen are embracing research into their industry and teaching the scientists about the science of fishing. CRC Reef Fisheries Scientist Dr Annabel Jones said a 10 year study into the effects of line fishing on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) simply could not have happened without help from the commercial fishing sector. “Fishermen have been involved from the early design phase providing input into the scope and direction of
the research. They have provided $1M worth of sea time and let scientists sample their wealth of
experience. The partnership built between fishermen and scientists has helped to break down the stereotype from both sides. Fishermen were able to experience the scientific process and appreciate its relevance, while the scientists were able to better understand the fishing industry from the fisherman’s perspective. The study was initiated at a time when the reef line fishing industry was moving towards live fish fishing catering for the lucrative Asian live fish trade. This new high maintenance fishing method was thought to slow the pace at which fishermen could “get a catch”. A decline in catch rate could have been interpreted by fishery managers as a drop in fish stocks. Fishermen were eager to set the record straight. Queensland fishermen have now signed up for another project investigating the survival rates of released fish. It is hoped that science might help to mend frayed relations between management and fishermen. “If the fishermen are involved in collecting the data and they see how it is used to make wise management decisions it may help them to accept changes,” Dr Jones added. Media contact:
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