Hi Guys,

Last night I attended a workshop with the Rec Fishing Champions Group with PIRSA Fisheries.

Present was myself, Jon Huie (Sunday Mail), Greg Irving (SA Angler/ Advertiser), Nigel Hunt (Sunday Mail), Trevor Watts (SARFAC), Keith Jones (SARDI) Greg James (ABC Radio) along with Fisheries officer Troy Harris, PIRSA's David Primer and Alice as well as another representative from the Government (sorry name has slipped me - sure David or Troy can refresh my memory ) Shane Mensforth and Shane Murton were absent.

I must say it was a good 3 hours and I think if things keep going as they are there can be vast improvements for Recreational Fishing in South Australia. I am pleased that PIRSA is willing to listen, and last night one of the questions was "What does recreational fishing mean to you?". There was a lot of passionate responses and it reflected on how fishing is such a major part of so many peoples life, of all generations. Fishing means so much to the economy as we know, tackle, bait, fuel, servicing boats, accomodation, food and I think this is now being realised. The stories of fishing since a lad etc really hit home at how this is such a lifestyle for so many people and it last's a long time.

There were questions of how we could work together to get the best for recreational fishing and also the sustainabilty of fishing for the future. Also how we could all work together to do the best for all people involved/affected by decisions made.

I think this is a great thing and I would like to thank PIRSA for allowing me to have a say amongst such a distinctive group of people who are all passionate about the lifestyle, we and our families enjoy. I have always said if I am fortunate enough to get old, as long as you can wheel me to the water I will be fishing (just don't wheel me in ) It is a lifestyle, as we all on here know (not only addicted to fishing but talking about it too )

I sincerely hope this all gets somewhere that will benefit all of us for a good fishing future with good fish stocks available in the future to keep generations enjoying the environment and fishing for fun.

Again guys, thanks again and I look forward to continuing this process in the future for the benefit of all





Mark

You've got me all fired up now Mark, my shot at the workshop is not

until next week and I'm so looking forward to it

I had PIRSA out to my place last week - Troy Harris and co, and although they put me straight on a few points it came through that they are looking to the future and how recreational fishing has to change

They spent 5 hours with me talking through various points, and listening to my ideas of how to promote the possibility of a private, user pays day ticket fishery

Some of my ideas go against the grain. i.e. the catch and release of noxious species. This usually gets an adament no way from the government bodies. At least this time they asked how it could work and why I have asked for the possibility of an exemption (application needed through the minister if possible)

I explained that in order to run a sustainable heavily stocked fishery, we need a food source. My dam of 7 acres has a recommended stocking of 50 native fish - you could get away with 250 max because of the abundant insect and waterlife. With the added food supply of breeding reddies goldfish tench catties this increase and makes enough to support a couple of thousand natives - and as photos on here show the natives do very well. Those noxious pests provide a valuable food source that sustains an increased native population. The more natives means more get caught, more catches mean more visits and happier anglers

A balanced fishery also provides a mixed bag for the angler, when the silvers go off the trout could come on, when its cold the reddies are on the chomp, the next fish could be that ten pound Golden, that was caught and released back last year. Some anglers are happy to dangle a worm and take pot luck witha goldfish, carp reddy or native as long as its a fish

We have to balance our freshwater fisheries - I'm not saying for one moment we should stock noxious species in every one, but at least review every idea and location on its merits and the benefits it provides the community in balance to its negatives

Impoundments are different to tributries and rivers. I have redfin and carp on either side of my farm on adjoining properties so I dont really see a significant risk in the migration and translocation of fish from my property. However I do appreciate what role they have become in the foodchain of a balanced productive fishery. I also see the pleasure people get from "just catching a fish"

Financially I make no gain from opening my property to anglers, however I do take pride in the results coming from it and the reputation of establishing one of the best native fisheries in SA. Some people dont get this, they only see the money angle therefore there must be something sinister and wrong with the idea

I am not saying my plans and ideas are a 100% right but at least they are ideas and I'm trying to do something. As a trial fishery it has tremendous potential and things learnt here could pave they way for future fisheries. I was pleased with the time fisheries gave me, in the past its been a grunt "dont know" "No" or "too hard". Troy and co came across as interested, informed and open

For the first time in years I actually feel things are changing in SA and that the government bodies are waking up to the requests and needs of the fisherman

For too long SA has been the Nanny state and its about time the "No you cant do that brigade" have to listen to valid and informed aguements that the recreational anglers have. We only have to look to our neighbours over the border and interstate as an example that it works

I'm with Tony B next week - We"ve got to keep the momentum going now we've got this ball rolling If you get a chance guys put your views forward - forums like this provide an excellent platform to voice them

Waterboy wrote:

It's encouraging to hear things are moving along.

I too am very impressed with recent changes, including PIRSA now also being present on our website, to answer valid questions from us.

If things keep moving this way it can only improve relationships, keep rec fishers informed and up to date, and benefit the fishery as a whole!

Keep us updated on future meetings and workshops!

I for one am VERY pleased to see all this happening, so 10/10 to all you blokes !

@ waterboy, I didnt realise you rubbed shoulders so much with the "high rollers" of our recreation


My only "regret" is that I'm not more actively involved myself

Well you always could be....

Congrats and well done guys, loving everything i just read in this thread.

I'm sure Stu and Tony will do us proud next week...

Bit of a worry, 2 poms going to fly the flag for freshwater fishing in S.A.

*New by-law* Course fishing only..

Softy wrote:
[

*New by-law* Course fishing only.. :lol:[/quote]

golf course or race course

I must add that I am very encouraged by the forward movement of
recreational fishing and it is due, in no small amount, to forums such
as these and the vision of a few,very persistent people, battling to make the headway that we have so far.

I was genuinely surprised and also delighted, to take up the offer by the Fly Fishers Association to attend their annual BBQ at Millbrook Trout hatchery recently!
I saw this as a golden opportunity to thaw relations with our two Clubs (SAFFA and SAFWAA).
I met and chatted with their SARFAC representative and found out that they are no different to other fishers in that they also want the reservoirs open for Fly Fishing.
I was also pleasantly surprised to find that a number of their members had been in SAFWAA long before my time, so were not entirely seperated from other disciplines in our shared, chosen sport of Fishing.

I was also fortunate enough to meet Jonathon McFail that night, a fisheries Management officer who has been conducting these conciliatory meetings all over the state. Jonathon told me that the Riverland guys were also strongly for opening the reservoirs

I look forward with the greatest of interest to developements to build bridges right across the spectrum and hopefully to come out of the other end with a truly vibrant recreational fishery to take the next generation on in to the future.

Tony Bainbridge (SAFWAA Pres.)

And what about the way the professional sector goes about its business
T.A.C.S have to be introduced especially for snapper and whiting
PIRSA listens and have been listening for 30 years but they cant change things
Its all down to the government of the day which make decisions based on politics not what is best for the fishery
I have it on good authority that a previuos minister of fisheries was about to introduce a TAC for snapper
He was removed as minister before he could implement it
A decision based on politics

alanh - "T.A.C.S have to be introduced especially for snapper and whiting"

Be careful what you wish for - there could be a corresponding (re)introduction of possession limits for recs? Or bag limit reductions?

May happen anyway, but no point in hastening the process, eh chaps.

Sure, re possession limits it doesn`t matter for day trips but for those longer, once or twice a year, sojourns to KI, Yorke, Eyre, etc...

and I for one would welcome it
I have been pushing for it for years
should be 2 and 1/2 times the daily boat limit and to apply at all places except the principal place of residence

what it would mean
snapper you could catch and have in your posession 5 big ones and depending which gulf 25 small ones or 15 small snapper
which is more than enough for any one person

whiting 36 whiting

It would stop people coming to places like whyalla etc staying for 3 weeks and taking 85 large snapper back to their home in freezer trucks (no exageration)

people doing the same on whiting at ceduna and crabbing at cowell
Sad to say mostly intersaters

Interesting to note the local government associations have all come out in favour of posession limits because of exactly what I have said is happening

Some smaller towns especially on the west coast rely on people coming to catch fish so once they are all caught the very existance of some of these towns would be severely comprimised

alanh, you said it, exactly my point!

"Some smaller towns especially on the west coast rely on people coming to catch fish..."

Why would someone (whether they be interstaters or "locals") want to spend a great deal of money in travelling and accomodation costs for a two week trip to Streaky, Fowlers etc only to be able to keep the numbers you mentioned??? And lets not talk about passenger/car/trailer costs on RipoffLink Ferries...

36 whiting don`t last long with a few family meals and a couple of dinner parties for a few people...and if one hits the possession limit a few days into the trip, what does one do - look at the scenery? Catch and release just because you`re there? Unless you are partial to, for instance, leatherjackets. Joy. Spend an afternoon looking at that shark balloon bobbing off the stern. Fun.

I am also nonplussed at your statement "except the principal place of residence" - do you mean to say that an Adelaide resident can take 12 whiting day in and day out from the gulf over a weeks` leave, fishing with a couple of mates (who are doing likewise) and it`s quite acceptable for all of them to have much more than 36 each on hand at home at any given time? Just because they go home every night?

"Sad to say mostly interstaters" - I was one until a year ago, fishing mate still is, and we sure have left a bit of money behind in regional SA over the years. No "freezer truck" involved BTW, just enjoying coastal SA catching fish - have done quite well mostly but 18 whiting on one particular 2 week trip to KI was both extremely unusual and a tad underwhelming...wouldn`t have had a possession limit problem on that occassion!

Mate, I would respectfully suggest it would be a little harder to fish out the snapper at Nuyts Reef than in St Vincent Gulf. Don`t think I need to explain why.

But hell, who knows, in two years time it may all be a moot point anyway depending on what happens with sanctuary zones...now that would be more likely to screw the West coast businesses.

quite simply it cant go on as it has been or nobody will come anyways because the resources will be fished out
The mentality of filling freezers has to change
the proposal of possession limits is the fairest way of resource sharing and it goes hand in hand with the pros also being capped on their catches

alanh

If there is an identified problem then the first logical step is to judiciously reduce bag/boat limits and/or increase size limits - thus nobody (recs, pros or regional business) is right royally shafted with a boots-`an-all possession/TAC approach overnight.

If it is determined subsequently that there are still ongoing conservation issues then we do start seeing the writing on the wall re the next step, c`est la vie...and BTW if we are to talk of "fairest ways of resource sharing" then I would be adamant your suggestion of primary residence possession exemption is right out! For reasons previously stated.