More - I have been a keen spearfisher since 1981 when I first joined the Kew Skindiving Club in Victoria, and since 1990 have been a member of the Townsville Skindiving Club. In that time at both clubs I have held numerous club committee positions, and am currently the president of the Townsville Skindiving Club. I enjoy both social and competition spearfishing.

So far in my two years as Chair I have focused on improved communication among clubs and individual members in Queensland and other states; education through many magazine and media articles and talks to non-spearfishing audiences; increased liaison with fisheries managers and other stakeholders; and the development of a strategic plan for spearfishing in Queensland. I am also fortunate to have two assistant commissioners in Kevin Chard (South) and Shane Morrison (North). Kevin also represents our spearfishing interests in Qld. on the GBRMPA Fisheries Resource Advisory Committee.

Finally, my profession is as a fisheries biologist where my role is in research of several important Qld. fisheries and has included Spanish and grey mackerel, coral trout and other reef species, trepang and threadfin salmon. My profession gives me a much greater understanding of the necessary balance between the act of fishing and the need for management, which I believe is a great asset in dealing with many of the threats management has more recently imposed on the future of spearfishing. I believe spearfishing represents the most selective and therefore sustainable form of fishing, provided it is regulated in a fair and informed manner.