Cane growers on-farm maintenance of drains with marine plants: Fish Habitat Code of Practice for use with Strategic Permits issued under Section 51 of the Fisheries Act 1994

Abstract

The Fish Habitat Code of Practice represents a major achievement for both the sugar and fishing industries in Queensland (Australia). It demonstrates in a tangible way that the sugar industry accepts the importance of fish habitats to sustaining fish stocks and that cane growers are willing to embrace new ways of doing things to reduce impacts on fish habitats while undertaking on-farm maintenance involving protected marine plants. Development of this code has involved extensive consultation with industry and other stakeholders. It will potentially benefit both growers and fisheries through the reduction in time and costs involved in farm-by-farm assessment and permit issue, a shared understanding of fisheries values and improved drainage practices and fish habitats. The code covers: biological considerations of the value of fisheries habitat, on-farm activities covered by the code, criteria for on-farm maintenance activities which are low impact, including floodgate or chemical control, pruning, marine plant removal, de-silting, floodgate maintenance, drain size and impact level allowed, mitigation techniques and ultimate farm drains.