26,000 sign Qld net fishing petition

The Liberal National Party is calling on the state government to abandon its plan to set up net-free fishing zones in central and northern Queensland.

Opposition fisheries spokeswoman Deb Frecklington has tabled a petition signed by 26,000 people against Labor's plan to ban net fishing in three zones off Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton.

"Barrelling through with these net-free zones is an insult to all commercial fishermen who work hard to maintain an honest living for their families," she said.

Ms Frecklington called for a more sustainable fisheries management system in which commercial and recreational fishing could co-exist.