Review of Rocky Reef Fin Fishery

[dayoo]

Fisheries is conducting a review of the Rocky reef fin fishery including a review of Snapper, Pearl Perch and Jew bag and size limits in Queensland. The difference in size and bag limits of these species between Qld and NSW is also on the agenda.

I have been nominated by a Moderator of Ausfish to be one of the three representatives of the interests of recreational fishing. I will attend a working group at the Gold Coast on Monday and Tuesday 4 and 5 August. The working Group has representatives from recreational fishing (3), commercial fishing (3), Charter fishing (2), retail tackle industry (2) and various reps from Fisheries both Qld and NSW.

Sadly I will miss out on a trip on "Alexander" planned for Monday 4 Aug to chase snapper on the Barwon Banks.

My mind is open at this stage and I note that there will be public meetings arranged during August - early September for comments on any proposals arising from the working group.

As far as I am aware I am the only member of Ausfish on the working group so any constructive thoughts and ideas on this matter are welcomed.

Cheers
Barry

[Leighton]

I dont have any problem with the current bag limit of 5 Snaps per person here in Qld. I would like to see a boat limitin place.
However the size limit of 35cm should be increased and as for NSW being 30cm, thats a joke
Just my opinion

[outsiderskip]

hi barry
i did not see any nominations put forward
and what makes you qualified to speak on behalf of ausfish members

pete

[PinHead]

don't change anything without some form of positive evidence that would warrant changes..sick of changes being made based on nothing.

[dayoo]

Pete,

The working group was formed last month but one of the three representatives of recreational fishermen pulled out due to family reasons. Fisheries had to find a replacement at short notice and contacted one of the Ausfish moderators.
A few quick PM's and subsequent phone calls resulted in me getting the gong as I have no work commitments.

I am not speaking on behalf of Ausfish members but as a recreational fisherman with over 50 years practical experience fishing offshore SE Qld and northern NSW.

If the Moderator was given more time I am sure he would have called for nominations.

Cheers
Barry

[outsiderskip]

this will not be a tussel bewtween prof and recs
.it will affect everyonewe all need to unite in this and another battle to come the marine park

pete

[Lucky_Phill]

Barry.

I support the idea of cross border regulations.

Species that are in this area are Snapper, Trag and Pearlies, therefore a commonsense approach is warranted.

I have read the Fisheries report on the Rocky Reef Fin Fish and the ONLY area that Snapper are seen to be under extreme pressure and in decline was off the Gold Coast. This, as explained in the report, was due to charter operators and population base and only effected the close inshore fishery.

I would like to see not only discussion, but movement on the introduction of Artificial Reefs. There is no time available to ' think ' about these. The impending implimentation of Green Zones this year suggests that artri's need to be ' underway ' asap.

Any and all changes must be made according to independent scientific research, anecdotal evidence and Government funded research. This along with the " wild stocking ' program needs to be seriously looked at.

Good luck Barry.


cheers Phill

[TimiBoy]

this will not be a tussel bewtween prof and recs
.it will affect everyonewe all need to unite in this and another battle to come the marine park

pete

Disagree. The representative pros will push their own barrow. Probably want to limit us to 1 snapper each per month between 65 and 67 cm, but they'll want to be able to fill their eskies and sell them when and where they want without filling out their logs. The pros blame rec guys for everything now, don't they?

If the opportunity comes for the pros to sacrifice us in order to keep their arrangements, we'll be on the altar like a seagull on chips.

I think each group will be interested in their own agenda. Hopefully the rec guys will be able to tie the whole thing up with a balanced perspective. No one else is there with anything less than their income tied up in maintaining or improving their view of the status quo.

Is Bill Corten still on there Phill?

Tim

[Jeremy]

Fisheries is conducting a review of the Rocky reef fin fishery including a review of Snapper, Pearl Perch and Jew bag and size limits in Queensland. The difference in size and bag limits of these species between Qld and NSW is also on the agenda.
Barry

I thought jewies were already under review as part of the East Coast Fin Fishery and the proposal was for a new size limit of 75cm? Or do you mean trag jew?

I would like to see the size limit of snapper increased to 40cm, but I don't think the pros will support this. They need the plate size pinkies for the restaurants.

Jeremy

[Lucky_Phill]

all answers here.

It is the sticky post first in the news forum.

http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/sho...d.php?t=135505

[GES]

While you are at these meetings and listening to the proposals and claims, Please be mindful that any proposal to DECREASE the recreational share of the fishery (by either pushing up size limits for rec fishers and/or pushing down the recreational bag limits) WITHOUT a decrease in the allowable catch quota of professionals and similar reductions on charterboat operators, will simply give the pros and charterboat operators a bigger share of the available resource.
It will not significantly reduce the total take of that species in a particular area.

The Fisheries Act commits the Government to make arrangements for fair sharing of the available resource and they don't always do that when the Minister gets lobbied hard by the commercial representatives.

So, If the recreational sector gets reductions, make sure the pros and charter operators get equal and real reductions on their fishing effort and catch quota, not just some token to satisfy the punters.

GES

[blue_mako]

Ges,

from the pros Ive talked to they dont have any quotas its open slather, most dont know they are totally unmanaged unlike rec fishos..

[outsiderskip]

tim
this is just the beginning
we dont need hot heads in this fight
we stick together u might all get something but go alone no one will win
just got a bigger battle to come

pete

[Stuart]

This is exactly what we don’t need, pro’s versus the rec guy’s. I’m sick to death of hearing guys on this site and many others crying how the pros have no management to watch them. What a load of crap, the pro’s have more hoops to jump through, more red tape to deal with, more laws to deal with, more restrictions placed on them every year its not funny. I have heard it from both sides and it rely comes down to a lack of understanding, if both sides joined forces we may just get what we want. The government loves it when to sides can’t get together, it gives them more power to do what the hell they want.

I’m not a pro but have worked on many line fishing boats over the years and I can tell you now that if any of you think the commercial line fisherman are wiping out stocks you need your head read. There are 1500 L1 licenses in QLD which only around 20 operate out of the Sunshine Coast. Out of those 1500 L1 licenses less than 1/3 are active QLD wide. Rec fisherman are some of the biggest hypocrites alive, we scream for scientific proof why the government closes reef systems yet we don’t need any when we start throwing mud at the pro’s. We make all these accusations with out any evidence or figures to back them up.

Many would love to see pro’s gone for good. How would you feel if their was a large group trying to get you out of your living, how are you going to pay the mortgage, feed and clothe the kids? If the shoe was on the other foot I’m sure you would be singing a different note. Instead of bitching and mud slinging try and find out some facts before going of. We all share the same resource and we all need to look after it.

Stu

[outsiderskip]

ty stu
at least someone agrees to a senisible cause

pete