VICE CHAIRMAN

Peter Todd

Peter Todd, a 4th generation north Queenslander, was born in Mareeba in 1948.  From there, most of his childhood was spent on the Tablelands and Julatten until he left school and attended Kedron Park Teachers College. He taught at schools in various locations throughout Cape York, including North Cairns where he spent his last 7 years as a teacher, marrying Gayle and raising a family.

He then decided to pursue a different career, 5 years in the commercial fishing industry with his own vessel. Later he became a Head Marine Instructor and established the marine section at the Cairns College of TAFE where he taught for 3 years.

Being an avid fisherman since he was young, he started his business in 1986 with Gayle as a charter boat operator. Peter has extensive local knowledge of the Great Barrier Reef. This understanding and experience has earned him a well respected reputation in the Cairns region. Since 1975, Peter and Gayle have lived in their Clifton Beach home where they continue to run their well established charter boat business.

His charter boat business was named the number one charter fishing boat business in North Queensland and has featured in many fishing publications and TV shows in recent years.

Peter’s charter boat operation not only caters for recreational fishers and tourists, but also has an honorary involvement with research organisations such as Department of Primary Industries (DPI), James Cook University (JCU) and Cooperative Research Centre (CRC). Researchers are given free space on Peter’s boat for as long as their research project requires.

In 2006 Peter ran as a candidate in the state election for the seat of Barron River under The Fishing Party Queensland banner. With a strong campaign and loyal following, he came out with nearly 11% of the vote in the Barron River electoral district. This was a substantial achievement and was a testament to the importance of the issue in regional Australia.

Peter appears regularly on ABC Radio’s “Fish Talk” which is broadcast every Friday.