Debate over fishing for mackerel heats up

[jaybee]

From the ABC website. The last paragraph is particularly interesting.

HERVEY BAY: Spotted mackerel continue to be the centre of hot debate throughout the waters of Hervey Bay in southern Queensland.

Recreational fishers association Sunfish says catching the spotted mackerel has become extremely rare because of commercial ring netters.

However, Des Finley, the chair of the Urangan branch of the Queensland Seafood Association, is in total disagreement with Sunfish.

Mr Finley says spotted mackerel numbers this year are strong and those recreational anglers who know where to go to catch the fish are bagging good hauls.

"On Friday, there was six amateur fishermen and that's probably about the most amateur fishermen that ever come near where we target the spotted mackerel and I saw them pull in at least 10 to 20 fish each," he said.

[Vern_Veitch]

It seems like many recreational fishers do not know whether the new regulations are in or not - or for that matter even what the new regs are.
Not sure I know myself whether they have been formally introduced.
Might be a good idea for QFS to do a bit of publicity on this issue.
If these guys were taking more than the new bag, where was the Fisheries Patrol?
All very confusing.
Regardless, there is a big difference between 10 or 20 fish and 10 por 20 tonne of fish.
Vern

[CHRIS_aka_GWH]

From the ABC website. The last paragraph is particularly interesting.

HERVEY BAY: ..... and that's probably about the most amateur fishermen that ever come near where we target the spotted mackerel and I saw them pull in at least 10 to 20 fish each," he said.

perhaps some pros practicing for when the new regs are introduced.

chris

[jack_attack]

It sounds very much like a "pro" comment. 10-20 fish is a big difference in numbers really.

Surely a difference between an angler catching 10 fish is obvious to an angler catching 20.

There is also the time frame of catching those fish to think of as well. 20 fish at an interval of say 5 minutes is a lot of minutes for a pro that is working to be watching other boats fishing.

There is also no mention of whether the fish were kept or released.

A more truthful statement may have been "There was about 6 other boats out there and they took maybe 20 fish between them"

Mr Finley says spotted mackerel numbers this year are strong and those recreational anglers who know where to go to catch the fish are bagging good hauls.

It was not that many years back when anglers that did not know what they were doing could find fish.

Surely they (pros) can see that the ring netting is a thing of the past and should/will go the way of Kingfish traps.

[Gazza]

From the ABC website. The last paragraph is particularly interesting.

HERVEY BAY: Spotted mackerel continue to be the centre of hot debate throughout the waters of Hervey Bay in southern Queensland.

Recreational fishers association Sunfish says catching the spotted mackerel has become extremely rare because of commercial ring netters.

However, Des Finley, the chair of the Urangan branch of the Queensland Seafood Association, is in total disagreement with Sunfish.

Mr Finley says spotted mackerel numbers this year are strong and those recreational anglers who know where to go to catch the fish are bagging good hauls.

"On Friday, there was six amateur fishermen and that's probably about the most amateur fishermen that ever come near where we target the spotted mackerel and I saw them pull in at least 10 to 20 fish each," he said.

Yep ,6 would be the MOST ..... NO overfishing in that one !!

Regards
Gazza

[mackmauler]

I thought there was no debate, ring netting of spottie mackerel will cease as of april ???

I've seen far better mackerel fishing than this year, the fish were not good quality and hard to find.

The pros better be able to swing a fish rod, they have only themselves to blame if they can't catch them, certainly not rec fishos taking 5.

Just to refute Mr Finlays argument about 6 amateurs, I've counted upwards of 50 most weeks early in december in amongst the net boats, ask Bribane sportfishing club

Ring netters are a desperate mob of no hopers, that will stuff everyones fun and future fishn for the sake of lining there pockets, The spokesman for them needs some truths kicked up his arse.

Cheers