EVERYTHING DIES AND ALL GETS SOLD!
"This is what WILL happen if we the people allow the NSW state government to hand over control of the state trawl zone (shoreline out to 3 nautical miles) to the Federal government" - AFMA. source
The South East trawl is headed for a Commonwealth takeover which is more bad news for the fish, the environment, NSW tourism and the NSW recreational and commercial fishers. The NSW government has been in closed door negotiations with the commonwealth for a number of years now on handing over management of the NSW commercial trawl fishery south of Sydney and INSIDE 3 nautical miles to the Commonwealth while at the same time offering no information to the Ministers advisory councils. The Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW says this is unprofessional and the community has lost confidence in NSW fisheries. They offer "There has to be a better way to put fresh fish on the table without ripping the guts out of the sea floor. How is it that recreational anglers in NSW have been ignored for years whilst talks have been going on to cede NSW fishing rights to the Commonwealth. "Don't sign our state waters away Minister Niall Blair. You will sell out the states 850000 anglers, the rest of the NSW Commercial fishing industry the community and most importantly the fish and their habitat. Recreational fishers interviewed by The Beagle said "Clearly there's has been a systematic failure of NSW Fisheries to manage the commercial fishery" Rather than try and fix it like the northern trawl fishery, they chose not to include the other stakeholders yet they pretend to be concerned about protecting fish and want recreational to continually cut back on size or bag limits" "But they forget about the big picture - protecting the fishery and the environment." another fisher added offering "NSW fisheries reputation has been shattered! The Commonwealth is not interested in recreational fishing - they don't understand the local issues, they don't understand how important local fishing is and the link to tourism is to the local communities and the local councils - they don't care about ensuring local product is provided by local commercial fishers directly to the local community!They don't give a a stuff! Clearly this will be an election issue on the South Coast for both the Federal government and the State government. The RFA have contacted the office of Federal Member for Gilmore, Ann Sudmalis. As yet there has been no response. There has been a meeting arranged with the Member for Bega in the coming weeks and information is being distributed on the South Coast to inform the communities. The Beagle was informed that businesses have already expressed concern and see there is potential for small business, reliant of recreational fishing tourism to close; especially those who are struggling. "Both governments need to get their act together and understand you can't have a system where recreational fishers are bound by tougher rules while commercial fishers can rape and pillage with no size limits"
Adam Martin of the Eurobodalla Fishing Association to The Beagle "Let me be clear, this is not about giving commercial fishing a hard time or banning commercial fishing. In fact, I have begun talking with pros and they are of the same opinion, it will totally destroy what is already a completely mismanaged fishery.
"The State government has been having meetings behind closed doors with their Federal counterparts for several years now. Where is the community consultation? Have the direct and indirect stakeholders been engaged in this process? NO, no they have not.
"The implications of this plan is mind blowing and will affect the ENTIRE SOUTH COAST! So what is the real question should we be asking? What is the guts of the matter?
"MANAGEMENT.....terrible, useless, incompetent, unprofessional, blundering, ineffective, inferior management. Totally mismanaged and done so at the expense of the public.
"So what do we want?" Adam asks. "Without going into detail about how bad it would be if the state zone was controlled by the Commonwealth, we want the state zone to remain in control by the NSW government.
"But why, the current management is a blundering mess! What we want is better management. A complete overhaul if necessary. If we need new management then so be it. The existing management should graciously retire and new blood step in place. A public servant serving the public and not their agenda.
With definate bewilderment Adam asks "So what is the minister responsible going to do about it? Certainly not enough at the moment."
Adam invites the community to get on board "If you have something you want raised about OUR fishery then contact me. The EFA and associates will be meeting with our local MP Andrew Constance over the coming months to highlight the different facets of the big steaming pile of poo that is our fisheries management."
"It will be a good time for the EFA to pass on your concern." https://www.facebook.com/EuroFishingAssociation/ to follow this issue.
