Reply With QuoteNever been on an extended charter but wouldn't the group still be subject to the "in possession bag limits", as set by Qld Fisheries, whether they are out one day or one week ?????
What's the views regarding "recreational" fishers doing a reef charter (something like 10-12 persons for 7-10 days) but arriving complete with the ute's, trailers etc (plus the freezers/ice boxes etc).
I've heard lots of reasons (excuses) from "oh them, there to keep our beer cold as we don't like yours" to probably the easist one to grasp "to offset the cost of the trip".
Might be legal >but it's really a pi.. poor atitude.
Cheers, Kerry.
Never been on an extended charter but wouldn't the group still be subject to the "in possession bag limits", as set by Qld Fisheries, whether they are out one day or one week ?????
??? As long as people are obeying the relevant rules and regulations, what is the problem?
Ditto Katrina. I have no idea why someone would question lawful practices. As long as they stick to the regs - and I reckon a charter capt wouldn't want to lose his lively hood for a few extra fish. He / she is going to monitor the catch and rest areas that have previously been fished.
All above board - big thumbs up from me.
Not sure what the problem is here???
I do a once a year 4 day offshore Charter with 10 other Fishos, where we go out full intending to catch ourselves a few feeds of Reef Fish. The whole exercise includes a 1000 km Road trip and a couple of nights stop over in Port.
Yes, we take an old Fridge strapped into a Box Trailer.It's a very effective way of transporting whole Reef Fish(sticking to the regulations and not filleting and skinning our catch at sea) and keeping them in perfect condition for our arrival home. That's our reason, certainly don't need to make any "Excuses" ???
Sorry Kerry, I have to agree with the other guy's( that also includes you Katrina, I know your a Gal not a guy), If It's all done within the current Legislation, then your a bit out of line having a dig at Law abiding citizens.
Maybe you should think about the Voluntary Fisheries Liason Program, where you would get the opportunity to "Steer" wayward Anglers back onto the right course as there are plenty that are not law abiding.
The alternative to Charter Skippers taking out paying clients (most of us are only average to poor offshore Fisherman anyhow) is to take out there Pro Fisherman mates and give the reefs a good old "Touch up". So I see the Charter Operationas as much more friendly alternative for the environment.
Kerry, just to put things into better perspective, I have yet to take home a fish to eat this year and I'm on the water every week. Don't mind a bit of Catch and Relaese most of the time.
Enjoy your Fishing !!!
Cheers
Craigie.
Ditto to most of the above Kerry.
There is set bag and size limits, and I believe that the majority of charter operators stick strictly to these. The charter operator has to protect his livelyhood as well as keep his customers happy.
I have been on numerous charters to various destinations.
These days, we tend to fillet our fish at sea ( skin on ) and drop the carcass in the ocean for others to feed on, rather than dump them in the bin at home. The Skipper also takes detailed notes of catch numbers, wieghts and sizes and areas. The Queensland Fisheries Service ( I believe ) require this for sustainability of particular fishing areas and species.
I personally think there is too many charter operators in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Hervey Bay.
But, at this stage, everyone is acting within the law.
The 7 - 10 day charter people are the once a year folk who pay out upwards of $1200 for their once a year trip to stock the little freezer at home. As opposed to the once a week guy who can still almost get his bag limit every week of the year.
I think a look at the big picture will help you see your way clear. The most destructive effort comes from professional fishing. No doubt.
And to those guys that do a once a year, and flog the fish off to " offset the cost of the trip "......
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We have avenues that can be followed if we aren't happy with any fisheries rules. The easiest of these is via Sunfish, ANSA, FFSAQ affiliated club membership. There is a fisheries review of almost all facets of the fisheries act sceduled every 5 years these days.
The altenative is to comment on the public response forms that are freely available at these times.
With regard to offshore charter boat fishing trips, I was under the impression that this area was specifically addressed in the last review. Hence the "skin on" & total "in possession" laws.
I'd rather see a charter boat out there than a non-species-specific kill everything commercial pro boat. Others may well dis-agree.
Cheers,
Fitzy..
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I was going to leave this one alone but here goes:
First up, let's get rid of the misconception that someone who owns a private boat can get out every day or every weekend and catch their bag limit. Even on the Gold Coast weather will prevent many trips as will other commitments with childrens sport and the like. In addition, sometimes the fish are not on the bite no matter how good a fisher you are. If you are talking reef fishing up north, well in Mackay the reef is 70 nautical miles from the coast, Townsville is at least 40 and even in Cairns a short trip is 15 NM. Try that in your average 15 to 25 knot Sou-easterlies. In 2000, I know of at least one charter operator who cancelled 35 weekend trips due to weather.
Secondly, nothing gives the general public and especially the greenies a worse impression than seeing the back of a boat deck covered in fish regardless of whether it is legal or not. It weakens our position in fishery management forums and the commercial sector is very quick to point and say that each individual cannot possibly be using all those fish for their own consumption. In some cases they are possibly right.
In this day and with the pressure on the resource it is no longer acceptable for "recreational" fishers to be providing fish for the local community whether it be for cash or favours, besides, last time I looked at the dictionary, there was nothing about paying for your efforts in the definition of recreational. Don't forget, selling for profit or favours is illegal whether those that do it like to think of it that way or not.
Thirdly, it matters not how you get to the reef, if you are recreational then the bag limit should be the same. Just because you go out with a charter operator should not be a licence to buy an extended bag limit. What about the guy who chooses to tow his boat north and have a holiday in a caravan park for 2 weeks before returning. Shouldn't he have the same in possession limit as someone who takes a charter. He probably spends more.
This is a topical subject with the upcoming reef plan and a lot of pressure to reduce bag limits.
Finally, there is no doubt that the commercial fishers are taking most of the fish and nearly all of it is being exported. They take about 5 times the recreational catch of coral trout and less of some other species but still far more than recreational fishers and they will also need to take a cut. But we beat them on snapper down south so don't scream too loud.
Note that I am not accusing anyone of doing anything illegal but perceptions often carry more weight than fact.
Gday Kerry,
The guy we go out with on 4 day charters is very strict on bag limits and will only allow us to fish a certain spot for a certain amount of time therefore protecting/conserving his areas. We get a few quality fish in one spot and it's "pull lines out wer'e moving". I'd hope most charter operators act in the same way and I'm not sure how you feel bagging reco's that eat they're catch and pay good money doing so offers you any vindification through practices pros use.
Cheers Luke
Luke,
I know many skippers who do the same thing as they are out to ensure that each trip is a success for all. Who knows what else occurs but I'm aware of different things.
I'm not bagging rec's who eat their catch, lets face we all do that (hopefully). But what I am bagging is the practice, attitude and expectations of arriving with a hired ute that looks more like a refrigerated milk truck. A refrigerated milk truck isn't required for a few quality fish, even with a few more thrown in.
But some will continue to dredge the pro thing into any and every arguement, nobody is vindicating anything the pros do so what's it got to do with this discussion.
Vern I think made a good comment that "perceptions often carry more weight than fact"
Cheers, Kerry.
Just judging by earlier posts I guessed you were pro-oreintated but apologies if I'm wrong . I'd like to ask a question aswell though. For eg. obviously undersized sand crabs with the left spike knocked off and sold at the fish markets. Is this legal and more importantly is this an "acceptable practice" . I think that I'd be more worried about that than some eager recos going out once or twice a year with high expectations. My view only.
Luke
Luke, judging can be dangerous and I'm sure you're aware there are positives and negatives with just about everything that occurs. One could draw parallels all day if required on both sides but what one doesn't need to do is ignore just one side of the equation, which many blindly do.
Got to have a balanced view and if things are clearly illegal then there's obviously grounds to do something about it as opposed to a "practice".
Cheers, Kerry.
Yes Luke, that "Tip" Crab issue would make a good topic all on It's own !!!
Kerry, I've got to give you credit where credits due, You certainly know how to get some lively discussion going. Your obviously emotive about Rec Fisherman exploiting there Recreational status, Hope you filled out the Fisheries Tailor questionnaire, I'm sure your opinion would be most welcome.
Cheers
Craigie
Kerry,
If seeing recos going out and catching they're bag limits and also having high expectations upsets you then imagine how you feel about the other side bringing in undersized fish and crabs for the markets(fact not perception). I'm not drawing any equations because there isn't any. They'res is a livelyhood and ours is enjoyment and to catch the odd feed on the whole. The fact we both catch fish is about the extent of our similarities. A lot of what you say is very vague and if your as straight to the point as you say you are maybe a lot of us will understand exactly where you are coming from. I have heard what pisses you off about recos fair enough but isn't there anything the pros could do better? PS I am all for smaller bag limits.
Cheers Luke
Craigie, commercial or rec really doesn't matter whose exploiting their status, I'm not on any side. Right now there appears to be an inbalance between understanding and facts in a few areas.Originally Posted by craigie
Tailor ???, what's a tailor. That might answer your query
, never seen one, never caught and know bugga all about them apart from the fact there's no bag limit, but then I have different opinions on bag limits as well
Cheers, Kerry.
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