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Lucky_Phill
04-03-2009, 08:22 PM
This is a extract from the AFANT News

Afant News

AFANT Email InDepth #5 (http://www.afant.com.au/blog/?p=105)

March 3, 2009 on 3:33 pm | In Fishy News (http://www.afant.com.au/blog/?cat=4), InDepth (http://www.afant.com.au/blog/?cat=5) | AFANT Email InDepth #5
4 March 2009


RECREATIONAL FISHING IN NT MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
Minister Kon Vatskalis made a very significant announcement at the AGM concerning the future of recreational fishing in Marine Protected Areas that are planned for NT waters. Warren de With had the following to say:
“Another challenge which could threaten our access is the development of marine protected areas by both the Commonwealth and NT Governments.



Our fishing colleagues in other states have been locked out of large areas of some of their best fishing locations often for no better reason than political pandering to green voters and the so-called conservation movement. The more radical of these groups will not be satisfied until they have virtually wiped out recreational fishing.



Their latest push is to have recreational fishing banned from the whole of the Coral Sea and to also have it banned or severely restricted in a new marine park that they want in NSW to run from Wollongong to Newcastle.

The current catch cry from these groups and the governments who are implementing their agendas is that we have to remove all human impacts in some areas in order to ensure biodiversity conversation — they will simply not ever accept that biodiversity conversation and properly regulated recreational fishing can happily coexist.



There is no reason why recreational fishing should be subject to this same type of action in the Northern Territory — our fisheries have so far been well managed, our fish stocks are healthy, our water quality is excellent, our marine biodiversity is not under threat and the vast majority of our recreational fishers are responsible in terms of their concerns for our fish and the environments they live in.



This could well emerge as a major issue in 2009 and we will all need to make our position very clear to government if it does.



We should not allow ourselves to be put in a position where unjustified access restrictions will be put in place by our own government — particularly as they gave us a further commitment to “boosting fishing infrastructure and access” in the 2008 election campaign.”


Minister Vatskalis responded as follows:

“I would like to say yes the government is prepared to close areas but the government is not prepared to have the same issues like in other states. If areas are to be closed, amateur fishermen will go fishing and I will go with them. So no marine protected areas closed off to amateur fishermen. The only intention is to close areas to the commercial sector and, for obvious reasons, for the protection of species.”


This was a very welcome response from the Minister and it is significant news. It means that we can now move on with the planning for Marine Protected Areas in the NT with some confidence.




FYI, the AFANT rang me today to ask for access to photos of our Protest rally to be used in their News letter. Our fight has gone national. It IS on the front page.

SOBA , Eco-Fishers and recreational fishing in general is becoming a known force and gaining respect within the various Government bodies.


Cheers Phill
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Lucky_Phill
04-03-2009, 08:24 PM
AFANT stands for:-


Amateur Fishermen's Association of the Northern Territory Inc.



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Lucky_Phill
04-03-2009, 08:29 PM
Just another press release.:-

Recfish Australia calls for commitments to a way of life


“As one of the nation’s favourite pastimes recreational fishing needs both sides of politics to commit to the future of this Australian way of life” Bruce Schumacher, Chair of Recfish Australia, said .

With the two main parties promising billions of dollars in various inducements to the voting public the request by the recreational fishing sector is, relatively speaking, very small.

“With 3.5 millions Australians considered regular fishers the soon to be elected new government has to show some leadership for this important aspect of our culture.”

Generating expenditure of $2 billion per annum recreational fishing is a vital component of hundreds of local economies. Many communities rely on the angling public who converge to these areas and generate jobs and profits for local business.

Media enquiries to Bruce Schumacher 0418 499322


Note to all pollies......... $2 billion , that is NOT small potatoes.....


phill

Dan5
05-03-2009, 02:13 PM
I hope up here it never turn's into the mess the QLD government have caused over there on the east coast.......green zone ,pink zone ,yellow zone, brown zone........reef closures........marine park's.........

99% off N/T rec anglers abide by our rules the way they are now and most are in favour of tightning the bag limit's on certain species........to a certain degree we are trusted to ourselves to abide by the rule's and thankfully the vast majority of N/T anglers do the right thing by limiting their take.

QLD gov should put a little bit more trust in you guy's over there and not side with the greenies for quick votes' IMO........N/T gov knows how much rec fishing brings to our small but healthy economy up here and are supporting the buy back of commercial barra net licences........

Dan.