Suncorp media release on EC Finfish

[Jeremy]

I have received this through an email contact from Sunfish. I am pot posting this officially on behalf of Sunfish, just for the benefit of readers who may not otherwise see this.

SUNFISH Queensland Inc.

Media release inshore fin fish 9th March 2008

Angler Concern over Statewide Proposals to Unfairly Restrict Fishing

The Statewide meeting of SUNFISH last weekend expressed concerns over the reallocation of fish stocks to the commercial sector & the lack of future planning for the fishery. Mr Barry Mc Intosh, Chairman said that the socially responsible desire for sustainable stocks suggested by recreational fishers had been wrongly interpretated by the DPI Fisheries agency who have reacted by allocating potential released fish to the commercial sector.

The proposal to restrict family recreational fishers while relaxing restrictions on commercials is totally inequitable & only caps the effort on recreational catches said Mr Mc Intosh.

He added that this proposal was rejected by anglers at nearly all the public meetings who just want a fair deal & a sustainable fishing.

Mr David Bateman AM ,Executive Officer , added that the Government had completely ignored the $1 billion expenditure contribution to the Queensland economy by local & tourist anglers compared to the meager return of $23m in product by the commercials – half of which either goes overseas or interstate. It has also not met ESD principals of social & economic consideration. This recreational economic advantage could be expanded with a well managed recreational fishery.

He stated that this fishery is accessed by 750,000 recreational fishers including families & if this proposal is enacted then even recreational fishers may have to buy fish to supplement this mostly non viable commercial fishery. Recreational fishers need some assurance that their fishing future is secure.

Dr Barry Pollock, Deputy chairman added that the proposal was not a “recognized” Management Plan as it did not cover essential issues such as a vision for the fishery, trigger points, resource allocation, conflict resolution or fairness. He added that it does not fully meet world’s best practice for fisheries management planning as defined by the United Nations to which Australia is a signatory.

All recreational anglers need to express their views on the Inshore Fin Fish RIS & convey any concerns to their state politicians. Submissions close on 17th March.

Contact points
Dr Barry Pollock 07 33989306
David Bateman 07 38804261

[Jeremy]

IMHO good to see Sunfish taking a strong position on this on behalf of anglers

Jeremy

[FNQCairns]

IMHO good to see Sunfish taking a strong position on this on behalf of anglers

Jeremy

Yes "on behalf of anglers"! Something sorely missing from the equation as it has stood for a while, thankyou sunfish for using common rational instead of pandering the self interested ideology which has infected the recfishing arena.

cheers fnq

[Horse]

Thats the sort of stuff I want to hear from Sunfish. I thought their response to trhe EPA proposals was a sellout to Rec fishos

[Mod11]

Me thinks Sunfish has started to grow a ' spine ' or is that ' backbone ".

Who put the rocket up the members ?

Now, this has come out as an email to members.... not good enough. It has to be placed in the Courier Mail and every local paper in Qld. Dave or Barry have to get their faces on Tele as well.

Sunfish proport to represent all Qld anglers, some 700,000..................so REPRESENT US !!!

This is a nice start.... but

chilli

[Burley_Boy]

Good stuff mate.
I found my local paper very receptive and just hanging for a story with a local connection. It was easy to get 1/4 page and letter to the editor printed if I as a local brought up a local issue down here (Gold Coast green zones).

This sort of press release would have a lot more clout in the local papers around Moreton Bay if a local submitted it to them I think so up on the soapboxes guys and good luck for all of us.