This should be very relevant to you SA rec fisho's, so thought I would post here.

This weekend, we are hosting a boat rally to promote the voice of recreationl fishing. This makes number 3 that I have been to, the first I have been activley involved in. It really is a big day for Save Our Bay Association (SOBA) as each rally seems to grow and attract more media attention. Credit must go out the the guys who started the movement (especially Chris Ryan) as now people are starting to pay attention and the politicians are now starting to take a look.

For those that are interested, take a listen to www.saveourbay.org.au/Nova250209.mp3. Its also worth taking a look at this thread on ausfish: www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/showthread.php?t=145282 The last 3 pages of that thread have some great comments.


Andy.

Welcome Andy,

Thanks for your support. I think that what happens in Qld and NSW is a clear indication of what we can expect to happen here. The issues are the same.

I'm very interested in the Vic experience, because they have adopted a different approach to our states. Seems strangely quiet over the border considering that the Vic Govt had to achieve the same international goals as our state Govt's, and they implemented their Marine Parks and zones years ago.

We all (Oz wide) need a more balanced approach to marine conservation, and a bit more respect for the role that rec fishers already play in that process. Yes - we have rape and pillage merchants too. The small minority.

Education and cooperation is always going to succeed more effectively than legislation. It seems as if there is a lack of trust all round - and some of that is probably deserved based on history. Rec fishers really need to feel as if we are engaged as part the solution and not just treated as a problem to be solved.

Good luck with the rally. I hope it raises the visibility of the cause and creates the level of sympathetic awareness that is sorely needed.

Regards,
RJ

I have cut this post from an interstate forum. Addressed to WA, but I think the author didn't realise that I live in SA.

Regards,
RJ

Posted: 27 Feb 2009 12:34 Post subject: Whats going on in SA and WA

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FIGHT these proposals as hard as you can, but I will bet the decision has already been made, the "GREEN GESTAPO" and their mates in the loony left, have governments around the country running scared. Before I became a victim of their push for marine parks in Qld, I was the Logistics and stock conrol manager for the largest marine chandlery in FNQ. We have a mob up there (Quango) called the "Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority" GBRMPA for short, this quickly got hijacked and in mine and many others opinions, became the private Fifedom of it's boss, their push to increase the protected areas was backed up by dubious science, some of it publicaly discredited, by its own author. Made no difference to the end result, and to make it worse the Beattie govt not only passed the new zones, they extended them to the high water mark. This effectivly made a third of the region a no go area for comercial operators and all anglers. Cairns at that time was the larget trawler port on the Qld east coast the day the new regulations came in, it went from having 1350 working boats to 800 overnight, this cut millions of dollars out of the local economy. Eventually the loss in turnover caused my company to drastically restructure to survive, my position went, along with a few others. One of the largest slipways in Qld was sold off more local jobs lost, turnover in tackle slowed a couple of shops closed, the only people who made money out of it was the govt, fisheries blokes were cuing up at the ramps in the region checking people going out and comming in, got checked at 0330 hours, this went on for weeks. The worst part is once they bring this in they imediatly start lobbying for an increase in protected zones, their end aim up home is to have the entire Barrier Reef a protected zone. They will get in, in your state and then go after the whole of your gulf and most of your W.A. coast. the only thing that got rid of some of the worst bit's, was when a few local operator's got together and told their local member how many people they woud be laying off and the flow on, combined with the threat to campain against them at the next election, they dont like to be targeted, risk of loss of seat equals action. Good luck with your fight, but I fear cowardly polotitians have already stabed you in the back.

Thanks for that RJ. Through the DPI in Queensland I have a good insight as to what is happening in WA. It's worth every state to take a close look at other states to see what is happening. I had a chance to talk to the treasurer of ECO Fishers (NSW lobby group) and they are making a real impact in NSW. I highly recommend having a look at what they are doing. We are getting a great deal of help from them now.

Anyhow, the rally in Queensland went really well. We had all the major TV stations attend, as well as several major newspapers. The shadow minister for the environment turned up to announce the opposition policy on fishing (all good for rec fisho's). People are starting to notice.

All I can say, is that all you south aussie's need to start making noise now. Support your lobby groups, and beware of advisory commities. Put your money with the groups that are independantly going out to fight the rubbish that the politicians to put foward. If you dont start now, you will have nothing left. If I can help you guys/gals in any way then please let me know.


Andy.

I wonder if you polled folks Australia wide what they think of the protection for the GBR? I like to hear all opinions, but the name calling of everyone else is tiring and I hope many of you agree.
This author obviously has a direct financial interest in the trawl industry. fair enough. But to say that a reduction in the trawl industry from 1350 to 800 boats is loopy left thinking? I think you will find that most politicians are merely that, politicians, they are not cowardly, they just try and reflect their electorates. Just because public opinion supported a cut back on the extractive uses of the GBR doesn't make them cowards.

I posted this yesterday but for some reason it seemed not to have worked.

I think if you polled the folks of Australia about the protection of the GBRMP that there would be overwhelming support for it. But I have to wonder if the general public knew that urban runoff from farms is destroying the Great Barrier Reef, yet the government is doing bugger all about it. I wonder if you told the general public that the development of airlie beach is destroying important mangrove nurseries, and the dredging is destroying eco-sensative habitats, yet the government approves the development. This is what happens up and down the coast of Queensland every year, but the environmental impacts that it has are kept quite whilst the government continues to promote the green vote by flogging the fishing industry, both commercial and recreational.

The original author of that post clearly states that he was involved in the fishing industry. He also clearly states that as a result of the reduction of the number of commercial boats the company he worked for resized and his position was redundant. DEH, if you or anyone else things that the government actually gives two hoots about portecting the environement by implement marine parks you are clearly mistaken. All they care about is votes, simple as that. So are they cowards? Well I leave that descision up to you. But may I remind you they promote a small issue in the media, yeat fail to address larger issues, only because they want the vote.

DEH, I suggest you are caught between a rock and a hard place. You are clearly a fisherman interested in a sustainable fishery, but you also work for the government. There is a guy up here in Queensland called Peter Shooter who is in the same boat. I dont have any problem at all what so ever with marine parks, so long as there is credible science to back it up. But at the same time, the government cannot continue to promote marine parks as the do all, end all. The need to take more action to protect the environment from the other problems that have more impact on the fisheries. Till such time as this is done I think its fair to call them cowards.

PS. I think the LNP had balls up here recently with their fishing policy. Public admiting that the marine parks are not the only solution. Its worth taking a look at their policy.

Cheers.

Andy

Nope, I joined DEH to do this job because I want to and think it is VERY important. Like most Govt employees these days I have absolutely no job security (I expire next June 30th). Self interest, sure, I'm gonna tell my kids that Dad worked his arse off to make it happen.

Have a read of AMSA's marine protected area statement. 900 of Australia's marine scientists suggest 10% no-take as minimum and use of larger multi use areas.
https://www.amsa.asn.au/statements/index.php

No one has said anything about it being "do all, end all". Fisheries management it isn't. It is something that needs doing though and in my opinion there is more than enough scientific evidence to suggest it will not detract from fisheries and can have benefits.

I appreciate your comments Andy, Cheers.