Bowen Couple Honoured for Protecting Queensland’s Fisheries

Chris Burgess and Este Darin-Cooper. Photo supplied: Este Darin Cooper

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Bowen couple Chris Burgess and Este Darin-Cooper were recognised on Saturday 5^th September, receiving the prestigious Ron Dempster Award for their exceptional contribution to the future of recreational fishing in Queensland.

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The award celebrates their efforts through the Inshore Flats Project, a community-led initiative advocating for the long-term health of Queensland’s inshore habitats and coastal fisheries.  

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The project has promoted a sustainable approach to managing important fishing habitats while bringing together those closely connected to the coast. It also rallied community opposition to a proposed new tunnel-net fishery in the Whitsundays and elsewhere along Queensland’s east coast, with a petition attracting more than 11,000 signatures.

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“Our inshore flats — the beaches, bays and foreshores — are some of the most accessible and productive waters for everyone, from dedicated sport fishers through to families, kids and visitors,” Chris said.

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“They also provide key nursery habitat for juvenile fish and movement corridors for countless species. When you look after these areas, you’re looking after the whole fishery.”

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Este said the award recognised all the people who helped build the project from the ground up.

“Everything we’ve achieved has been built with people whose lives and livelihoods are connected to these waters giving their time, expertise and support because they genuinely care about the future of these fisheries,” she said.

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“It is an absolute honour to accept this award, following in the footsteps of past recipients like the legendary Vic McCrystal, and we accept it on behalf of all the members of the Inshore Flats Project.”

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The volunteer-led initiative has recently taken another important step forward by incorporating as a not-for-profit association.

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