Invitation to Queensland fisheries review public consultation meeting

[BigE]

rec fishers will always get the rough end - particularly when we can not muster much more 1% of any voting block and even then it is pretty fragmented , it would take a pretty ballsey pollie to even try to harness that type of voting block and even then the disunity of fishers would be like shoot both your feet off in short order, other voting blocks are much more "pollie friendly" and easier to negotiate with. In all honesty if it was your political neck on the line who would you deal with - a block of disciplined voters with a common cause and good sellerable public vision - or a Mob of disenchantered voters with no real voting block structure or common vision and aboslotely no disciple whatso ever in relation to policy or public comment....... it's long been said disunity is death and in a political sence it is a reality, it would be easier to pick up a fresh turd by the clean end then to unite any sort of recreational fishing voting block, ...... if i were a pollie , i'd run hard and fast.

BigE

[Moonlighter]

Aussiebaapsser - there is a freshwater rep on the advisory panel. Suggest you get into contact with him and make your concerns known, and maybe get some info back in return from him about the actual issues being canvassed. At the moment, i think there is a lot of rumour and supposition around and it may be that people are unwittingly chasing their own tails.

details: Mr Les Kowitz - Recreational fisher, Executive Officer, Freshwater Fishing and Stocking Association of Queensland.

let us know how you go.

As well as knowing some of the rec fishing reps, I also know a couple of the pro fishing reps, John Page and Neil Green, on the same Ministerial Advisory Committee as they worked closely with us recreational sector reps on the Moreton Bay Marine park rezoning. They are very decent guys who see the big picture, want a sustainable fishery for everyone and I think will try to get the best result for the whole fishery, not just pro's.

In many cases, the issues that piss the rec sector about how some pros operate are the same issues that piss these guys off too.

Unfortunately, Governments in the past, who have been quite aware of these things, lacked the balls to do what they know needs to be done to sort it out. I know that there have already been "investment advisory" notices issued to some pro licence classes, that means that they are on notice for changes and cant do anything to try to get around any changes that eventually happen or get more money for their licences than they are really worth, based on past catch data.

From what i can gather, this review is not looking at micro issues such as fish sizes and bag limits at all, it is looking more broadly at the overall management structure and system. Issues like transferability and tradability of pro licences, where they should be used or not used, It might look at whether some species should be rec only, though, either statewide or on certain zones.

Issues like recognition of recreational fishing in the legislation, sorting out once and for all the issue of commercial licences that are latent, zoning arrangements for commercial licences to enable their effort to be better managed and so forth.

I am hearing that the advisory group are all pretty well on the same page (rec, commercial and scientific reps) in regard to these kinds of matters. Sunfish is in there representing rec, as well as a couple of others.

i suspect that even if at the end of the day, all groups on the review reach agreement (which these seems to be a reasonable prospect of achieving) that the hardest part might be getting the Government to adopt and implement the agreed changes.

$ and political will in the lead up to the election might be the stumbling block.

[Lucky_Phill]

I will be attending as many \talks as possible.

I have made my small submission / contribution.

Submission to Queensland Fisheries on request via the Review 2014.




Funding of the Recreational Fishery in Queensland.


The RUF is an ideal solution for utilising funds to support all recreational fishing infrastructure, administration and management. Further funding can be gained via Private Investment backed by taxation incentives.


A Viable Fishery.


This word “ viable “ gets bandied around a lot and depends on who you ask has different meanings, but as far as recreational fishing goes, it has one meaning.... sustainable. To create a sustainable recreational fishery there has to be many management undertakings aimed specifically at the recreational fishing industry.

1. Funding and deployment of a vast artificial reef system covering the length of the Queensland coast will be the most economically viable management tool for the Government to use.
   
2. Wild stocking of “ bread & butter “ species will return investment to the state via tourism and increased local recreational fishing activities.
   
3. Major reductions in commercial “ non-selective “ fishing practices within the inshore fishery.
   
4. Aquaculture enterprises to enhance the local seafood markets, which also include the bait supplies for recreational fishers.
   
5. Real science to assess the fishery which in turn can be utilised to manage all Queensland fisheries in a sustainable manner.
   
6. Reduce the complex legislation & guidelines in regard to species size & bag limits, no take species and closed seasons and areas.
   
7. Genuine conversations between recreational fishing groups and Government Departments governing this portfolio, but having said that, reduce the number of Governing bodies that encompass Recreational fishing.
   
8. Recreational fishing to have an “ ownership “ of the fishery, similar to the commercial industry and indeed be recognised as “ Stewards of the Sea “.
   
9. Strong policing of both Recreational and Commercial fishers with penalties reflecting the seriousness of offences.
   
10. Education activities at school level to provide Queenslands kids with the knowledge of benefits of a viable fishery.
    
11. Acknowledge the Health & Well Being, Social, Educational and Economical advantages that Recreational fishing provides to a community.
    
12. Establish Recreational fishing only havens in populated areas at shore, inshore and freshwater locations.

Queensland has within it's grasp, a chance to lead not only this Country, but other developed Nations of the world in the benefits of establishing a viable, progressive, sustainable, robust and economically prudent Recreational fishery. All it takes is vision and a little funding.


Phill Kliese
Recreational Fisher & Queenslander.
ecofisher@optusnet.com.au