EPA's coming to get ya

[rwells9999]

With the recent introduction of restrictions by our beloved EPA, there are a lot of areas open for interpretation. We have the “area bounded by a line starting at” then we have the “generally south-westerly” term and not to be outdone there’s the “starting at the intersection of the 5m depth contour”. Whilst most of these descriptions relate to the brackish waters in Morton Bay, I feel sorry for the guys that fish these waters and now in a quandary as to where they can or cannot fish. You can be assured that when the novelty from the EPA wears off, the fines will come thick and fast from those “helpful and friendly” EPA officers in their rubber ducky’s. For those of us that have access to mapping software and can drive a GPS and fish outside its not so much of a drama, but 90% of GPS owners have trouble navigating from point A to point B nerveless working out where these sacred areas are. Not to mention the chaps that don’t have a GPS. Updated cartography cards are 18 months away from the 3 main manufacturer’s, so you’re on ya own.
Robin

[CreelReaper]

Robin,
Whilst I agree wholeheartedly with you in this regard and understand everybody's frustrations as to the generalisation in directions etc. I believe that when looked at as a picture on a map it is quite clear. I think that we as people have learned to rely on modern technology way too much.
Apart from the variations in datums, gps if not working (power failure etc) and generally not understanding how to drive them is no excuse.
These are the rules and whether we like it or not they have to be followed.

It is quite easy once learned how, to draw these lines of reference on a map/chart, colour the enclosed bits and STAY OUTSIDE of these areas.
Not having a go at anyone but we should already have the basics and understanding of the fundamentals of using a compass,ruler and chart plotting.
If you were 50 miles out to sea and your GPS decides to shoot itself what do you do to get back home??? I would suggest the rusty old compass and chart would have to be dragged out.
Modern technology whilst brilliant should not be relied on to save the day for you and keep you out of the zones.
Your eyes and familiarity of the area you want to fish will be what keeps you safe from EPA and anybody else interested in giving you a fine.

Shane

[Blueroo]

I agree with Robin.
Even using a chart plotter its difficult to know where the zones are. Bobbing around at sea or in the bay is not a real stable platform for interpreting ambiguous maps.
The marks on the maps on the EPA web site are very hard to read and I have yet to come across a map in any of the bait or boat shops Ive been to.

The whole thing is a crock of crap and is the biggest mistake the labor/green party ever made (apart from mistakes like jobs, the states economy, health, infrastructure and the list of failures goes on and on).
Stue

[kencrab]

Maybe the EPA, in their magnanamousness? could be put upon to issue software updates for various GPS/Fishfinder combos. Those with charts usually update via the Web and most units these days have a USB cable that you can hook into your PC for this purpose.

If they want us to "do the right thing" how about some genuine imparting of information that will benifit all....

[TimiBoy]

Mate, the EPA are about as magnanamous as one of my farts on a Monday. Sunday is curry night...

Tim

[kencrab]

Mate, the EPA are about as magnanamous as one of my farts on a Monday. Sunday is curry night...

Tim

Still it would be interesting to see exactly what they thought of us if after all (I'm sure) the reseach they carried out on affected stakeholders all they could come up with was an ambiguous at best bit of paper from the local bait shop which probably didn't survive the initial foray into the night from one of the sub-standard ramps we pay for with our boat and trailer registration........

[oldboot]

Mate, the EPA are about as magnanamous as one of my farts on a Monday. Sunday is curry night...

Tim

makes note

Don't visit Tim on a monday .


He Tim , maybe you should visit poloticians on monday mornings.


cheers

[PADDLES]

i agree with shane, the booklet that the marine parks have been giving out shows very clearly where not to go as far as i am concerned. i guess if you think you might be borderline then move the boat over a bit to make sure.