We're bringing a Gun to a knife fight !

[Lucky_Phill]

Myself and other members of Eco Fishers attended a meeting in Brisbane last night that was attended by Bill Sawynok. He made a presentation to us that blew me away.

What Cap Reef and in particular Bill has done over the last 4 years is nothing short of amazing.

Bill presented irrefutable evidence in regard to the Central Queensland fishery.

This evidence, data, research, call it what you like is being used by Government bodies, other departments and uni researchers.

It actually put to bed some myths and assumptions made by not only Green groups but by recreational anglers as well. The data also backed up what a lot of us knew. Simply, it is the truth.

The model that Bill has developed is pretty much exactly what Eco Fishers ultimate goal is. Bill has offered any assistance he can in this area.

The way in which evidence was collected, the amount and devices used were enough to get the heads nodding in agreement all round the table, that included research Scientist and Commercial fisho.

Cheers Phill
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[TimiBoy]

Yep, couldn't agree more. When I stuck my tired little head on the pillow I couldn't sleep. There is so much Ecofishers Qld can do, based on Bill's simple model. And he will help us get started!

He deals with facts, facts, and nothing but the facts. And he has enough at his disposal to totally dispel the tired old myths which are constantly trotted out by the Greens and Labor. And all done independently from Government. No DPI, no EPA.

By the way, as an offside - Lord Christopher Monckton describes Greens as "Traffic Lights" - Green, and too Yellow to admit they're Red!

Cheers,

Tim

[Bowser]

I read about Capreef in one of the mags this month. Very interesting and looks to be a great model to follow. One of the main points was funding though. From my understanding they were recieveing federal funding, but this is in some doubt now with Krudd's and the ugly duckling's deficit. Funding is goig to be a major concern for us to I would think.

[grahams]

Guys,
Don't be daunted by a lack of funds. It's a bit of a chicken or the egg problem. It will be hard to get any funding if you haven't done anything yet.
I once described Capreef as a virus looking for a host. We knew we could get a lot done but needed some sort of structure or supporter to kick it off. Fitzroy Basin Assocition was our starting point. Some of the early problems we faced can be overcome by following the CapReef model, and Eco fish should be an adequate structure to kick off.

If you can find a retiree with some computer skills, you can start data entry. I am sure you would get thousands of trip reports via email from the forum members at Ausfish.. bingo you're in business. Eventually you will need to do some boat ramp surveys as I am sure Ausfish members are only the "cream" of SEQ recreational fishermen, so you would need to standardise against the "average" fisho..that can be done later.

The chance for CapReef only came about because of the engagement and energy created by the GBR rezoning. You now have the same opportunity, but if you leave it say 6 to 12 months, it will be back to normal complacency.
Don't assume you know the answers. Don't set out to achieve a specific goal, start collecting your data and see where it leads...you might be very surprised.


Have a go.... its great fun, "fishing for information"

all the best,

graham scott,
chair CapReef (but Bill Sawynok does all the work)

[Stuart]

Im glad something is finally happening on this front. Just an idea, for those who going fishing and find no one at the boat ramp to collect data then why not have a section on this site or SOBA where people can fill out a catch form and then email it off to whom ever.

Stu

[CreelReaper]

This is very good news indeed. Well done guys in initiating whatever actions that were needed to get access and help from such a worthy ally. It obviously has very good ramifications for us in dispelling a lot of the myths being bandied around by the greenies. Public funding I believe will only become easier as we have more of this calibre of people on board.

Shane

[Black_Rat]

Well done fellas !

Let the battle begin !

[ifishcq1]

Glad to see you boys have got a chance to appreciate one of the true unsung rec fisher heroes, a word I don't use lightly
This man Bill S and his wife Shirley plus their small dedicated crew including GS have helped us out imeasurabley when it came to getting areas of the green zones changed in our local area. The thousands of hours doing boatramp surveys (thanks Wendy) while we are all out fishing alone should get them Aussie of the year awards ( instaed of a bloody sportsman that gets rich from his sport) . He also has probably the greatest knowledge of barramundi from birth to breeder and bigger than anyone in the world. When he gives advice on how to tackle the government on issue directly effecting us fishers do yourselves a favour and listen. Also see if you can get a copy of the CapReef DVD if not let me know and I will get a copy or two to share around Ausfish

Like Graham said if you can get any sort of consistant data base together it is a great start to knowing something about your own piece of the fishery with the benifits of being able to fight with hard facts on your side

Cheers

[TheRealAndy]

Glad to see you boys have got a chance to appreciate one of the true unsung rec fisher heroes, a word I don't use lightly
This man Bill S and his wife Shirley plus their small dedicated crew including GS have helped us out imeasurabley when it came to getting areas of the green zones changed in our local area. The thousands of hours doing boatramp surveys (thanks Wendy) while we are all out fishing alone should get them Aussie of the year awards ( instaed of a bloody sportsman that gets rich from his sport) . He also has probably the greatest knowledge of barramundi from birth to breeder and bigger than anyone in the world. When he gives advice on how to tackle the government on issue directly effecting us fishers do yourselves a favour and listen. Also see if you can get a copy of the CapReef DVD if not let me know and I will get a copy or two to share around Ausfish

Like Graham said if you can get any sort of consistant data base together it is a great start to knowing something about your own piece of the fishery with the benifits of being able to fight with hard facts on your side

Cheers

I agree. Before actually seeing this presentation I had only breifly heard about capreef and bill, but having actually seen his data and commitment to what he does I was quite amazed. I cant wait to see the report he is about to publish.

There was definately som interest in following bills example in moreton bay, and questions were being asked about how much it would cost to get started. Fingers crosses its another thing the ECOFishers QLD can help promote and even participate in.

[rando]

Hi everyone.
Is there a link or some other info on "Capreef",
excuse my ignorance,, this post is the first Ive heard of it and I am interested in learning more about it.

Cheers
Rando

[grahams]

Hi Rando,

Go to www.info-fish.net Click on Capreef down the bottom left corner.
Heaps of other stuff on this site as well.
Bill has done a major upgrade of the site recently.

[rando]

Is the info on CapReef open source or is it a commercial product,,,, I cant open any of the PDF files listed.

[TheRealAndy]

Is the info on CapReef open source or is it a commercial product,,,, I cant open any of the PDF files listed.

Its certainly not open. Bill owns most of the data. However, all the data published can certainly be viewed free of charge. I am able to open all the PDF's i looked at, including capreef stuff.

[scifly]

Hi Rando

Sometimes you have to scroll down on the reports to get them to open, give Bill a call and he will talk through it.

Recfish Australia has a long relationship with Bill and we support a lot of work that he does. One of the initiatives that Bill runs is called Recfishing Research which is a joint initiative of Recfish Australia and the Fisheries Research & Devt Corporation. This group has developed research priorities for recreational fisheries research and also assesses projects that apply to the FRDC for funding.

Bill and I both also sit on the Federal Minister's Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee and are busy developing a strategy for recreational fishing industry devt which builds on the 1994 National Policy.

While all of this may not help directly with the current threat of closures, we are looking forward to what recreational fishing needs into the future. Recfish Australia also hosted a conference last year to identify issues facing recreational fishing in the next 20 years and the proceedings will be posted on our website soon.

These activities are happening and there is not enough space here to talk about all of them but I am happy to answer any questions.

Len
CEO, Recfish Australia

[Lucky_Phill]

Thanks for that reply Len.

I believe we will get together soon.


Phill
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