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The Liberals/Nationals coalition have released their policy on Marine Parks and Recreational Fishing, in the lead up to the NSW state elections on 26 March 2011.
You can read the policy at http://nsw.nationals.org.au/images/stories/pdf/marine%20parks%20policy.pdf
In the latest newsletter from Fishing World (http://www.fishingworld.com.au/news/coalition-fisheries-plan-reveals-commonsense-policy), Fisheries shadow minister Duncan Gay is said to have promised that the coalition will re-form a stand-alone fisheries department and add a parliamentary secretary to look after the recreational fisheries sector, invest more money in commercial buy-outs and form advisory committees with elected rather than appointed angler representatives.
According to the policy, the coalition will:
- Maintain the existing six marine parks and a moratorium on the creation of new marine parks and fishing closures, pending the outcome of an independent scientific audit.
- Subject to the results of the scientific independent audit; expand the current Habitat Protection Zones within existing marine parks.
- Commit to removing pressure on fish stocks and marine environment through a $16 million, 4-year commitment for a commercial fisherman buyout policy. We will continue our commitment for a voluntary buy out of commercial fishers where it represents the most appropriate means of reducing excessive pressure on the natural environment subject to the wise and sustainable supply of seafood to consumers.
- Ensure the conservation needs of the grey nurse shark are met well into the future.
- Implement recovery/preventative measures for any identified problems or potential threats including initiatives like seasonal closures, gear restrictions, tougher bag limits where needed and/or protection zones for identified species.
- Immediately commission an independent scientific audit of the effectiveness of existing zoning arrangements in meeting domestic and international commitments to the conservation of marine biodiversity.
As part of the scientific audit we will initiate a comprehensive trial of environmentally friendly recreational fishing techniques in areas under review. We will address the problem of aggregation of fishing effort caused by Labor's current zoning arrangements within marine parks. The audit will examine which lead agency (Fisheries or the Department of Environment and Climate Change) is the most appropriate to manage Marine Parks. Local Community Social and Economic Impact Statements will include the audit into the design/effectiveness of Marine Parks.
Follow the scientific audit with site and species specific assessments of local environments to identify real and/or perceived threats from fishing and other sources. Ensure that the NSW Liberals & Nationals Marine Parks Policy will be in accord with future fisheries reforms and greater integration with urban planning, including issues surrounding agricultural land use and water run-off from urban areas. Create a new joint Recreational and Commercial Fishing Advisory Committee including stakeholders from the fishing industries.
Part of the NSW Liberals & Nationals action plan is to restore accountability to government by giving people a say on issues that affect their lives. A NSW Liberals & Nationals Government would audit the current management of NSW Fishing Trust funds, including the process by which trust funds are allocated, in order to ensure this money is being used in the most effective and appropriate manner and the process of allocating funds is a democratic one.
Improve the awareness of anglers of zoning arrangements so fines are not handed out to unsuspecting people drifting into restricted areas. This may include simplifying zoning arrangements and better markings of restricted areas. Review the current system of inspection by Fisheries compliance staff with a view to improving the NSW Government’s commitment to greater public compliance with rules and regulations governing sustainable conservation of aquatic systems.
Shooters and Fishers Party announce position statements:
The Shooters and Fishers Party has released four Position Statement and Action Plans on its website http://www.shootersandfishers.org.au/.
Titled ‘Safeguarding the Environment’, ‘Natural Resources’, ‘Fair Recreational Access’ and ‘Society and Service Delivery’, the papers cover many issues related to recreational fisheries management, regulation and access and includes points:
We will encourage the new Government to immediately legislate to create a Statutory Authority for recreational fishers. We will aim to have the Government establish a single authority responsible for management of fisheries and marine parks. Merging Fisheries NSW and Marine Parks as one Authority – Fisheries NSW, to eliminate conflict and improve customer service for rec. fishers in this state.
We will strive to open Marine Parks to sustainable recreational fishing, using evidence based management programs. We will pursue ongoing Government funding of recreational fishing advisory bodies. We will work to improve recreational fishing opportunities, through the implementation of sustainable utilisation programs, such as catch-and-release, and breed-and-release programs for Native Fish Species.
We recognise the impact that invasive species like European Carp have on our inland native fisheries and we commit to implementing a carp bow-fishing program through Game Council NSW to help reduce the impact of this pest on our native fish species. We will ensure the important work done by the Gaden and Ebor trout hatcheries receives on-going funding so that they can continue to provide trout fishing opportunities in NSW.
Recreational fishing can at times be associated with risk to personal safety. We will establish on-going funding of community fishing safety education programs and expansion of the 'Angel Rings' placement program at key areas along the NSW coastline. We will ensure that Government maintains proper public access to all inland and estuarine waters for the benefit of recreational fishers. We know it is important to have safe, good quality boating facilities. That is why will advocate for more and improved boat ramp facilities, across NSW.
(Excerpts taken from http://www.freshwateranglers.com.au/)
