Is there plans for another protest/rally against closures

[TheRealAndy]

I am definately in. I am happy to visit all the local bait and taclke shops in my area to promote the rally.

[BrewGuru]

Sandman, I was not putting that up as a slanging thing so sorry if it was interpreted that way. I put in that way because unless those on the fringe can commit wholly to it, then it won't work. It was not directed to those that are doing these things already.

I could have written it differently I agree.

Maybe it is time for someone else to carry on the fight to the next stage?

Chris, don't lose the fire in the belly, you guys have absolutely inspired me to make a difference and stand up be counted in this mottly crue.
Guys like you, Lucky Phil, Poodroo, Grant, to name a few and many others have engaged in many highly spirited debates and have done some productive brain
storming, I don't know how many Brisbanites we have on this site that state they are so passionate about, the changes the EPA are scheduled to make, but ask them to turn up to protest and they can't be bothered, their are a lot of armchair protesters on this sight.
These are the ones that will be most vocal when the restrictions come in.
Lets ask all others who wish to support what you guys and Ausfish are doing to throw some dollars into SOBA, so that we can take the fight up to the enemy.
Only then you will know how many genuine supporters we have.
Lets get a constitution together, form an alliance, maybe have a joining fee and a membership fee, run some raffles, get some sponsors, do some workplace deductions via PayPal, maybe only $5.00 per week to fund our cause and then we will see who is fairdinkum.

[lampuki]

I am not that knowledgable on this subject, but............

I heard (first hand) a comment from within the F&DPI bagging the scientific research put forward by the EPA. The comment was that the zones were based primarly upon where people fish. After dealing with some "researchers" recently, I would have to agree with this comment. They asked me where I caught my 5 snapper and I said D'Bay (I suppose now they want to declare dbay a no go zone). If this makes good scientific sense, well then fair enough, but I would of thought identifying the species in danger, identify where they breed etc would play a big part in the zoning.

I can not understand baning fishing the sandhills for whiting! I have been fishing there for over 20 years, and the fishery is getting stronger. I log my catches and my data shows that. We catch enough for a feed, and leave (normally an hours work, if that). Its not like I have improved my fishing technique, we havent changed a thing for 20 years. The only time i scored a duck at the sandhills was mid week 2 years ago after a trawler had been through there, with his nets down. My mate and I could not believe it. He swiftly left upon our arrival! My only regret was i didnt have a camera for evidence!

I do think we need green zones in Moreton bay. Protect places like Mud, Green and Peel. But dont ban everywhere that might be a possible fishing desitnation.

[Chris Ryan]

Hi Ed,


The fire is in the belly and it is boiling over which was evident in the directness of my posts. I am completely pissed off with this process and how honest hardworking people are having their rights stripped away, and the majority sit there and go "Oh OK, it must be in the best interests of X. I will vote for it cause it makes me feel good talking to the in crowd at the latte house!"

Well F-ck that. Its time to get very very noisy, very very angry and very very visable in the public eye. Just need to get Fair Trading to get me the certificate so SOBA is done and then the accounting bit and then we will see how committed people really are.

In for a penny, in for a pound.

Chris

[BrewGuru]

Lampuki, I have been late it joining the masses on Ausfish only because I found it late and did not know this site existed up until November last year, I can still not believe how many fisho's,boaties have never heard of Ausfish, (bumper sticker required on every boat trailer and fisho/boatie car)
The EPA by their own admission recieved their data from the DPI&F from recreational fisherman via surveys, I also had a beer with a part time commercial fisherman today, who also stated that he was required to produce log books on the fish he caught and where he caught them and how many he caught and in what area he caught them in, that is pretty much as scientific as the EPA got. Your right there is no mention of fish species or data on what fish are in danger in Moreton Bay or survey of what fish are not turning up at the fresh seafood markets.
This is generally a good indicator of what fish are around due to sustainabilty or seasonal weather changes, this system was used for the Patogonian Tooth Fish (Chilean Sea Bass) and Swordfish they check quantities, size increase/decrease of fish caught over a measured period of time and that will give the researchers a pretty good idea what is going on in the deep blue sea.
I am sure none of that was done
Lets get SOBA up and going and see if we can get some of these armchair protesters off their arse.

Ed

[TheRealAndy]

I just opened my March Boat Talk (VMR401 rag) and there is a huge write up about the last rally on the river, with a thanks letter from Chris Ryan. Also a good picture of a saveourbay.org.au banner. This rag gets circulated to all the full paying members, so if we can get the boat talk editor the info on the next rally I think it may be possible to get it published.