Last weekend, the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW (RFA), along with the NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers, jointly conducted the NSW Angling Access Forum and Workshop, at the Marque Hotel in Sydney.
The Chairman of the RFA, Mr Malcolm Poole, said, “NSW anglers are now taking a lead role to retain, maintain and improve access for fisherman to NSW inshore and coastal waters where ever possible”.
Poole went onto say, “it was truly an excellent 1 ½ days of fishing effort (the non extractive kind of course), by Government and anglers alike, who share fishing as a common passion. The 55 participants produced an initial vision that will drive efforts to ensure and enable fishermen will be able to enjoy their passion into the future: Responsible public access to public natural resources, for recreational enjoyment, sustainable use and conservation appreciation across lands of all tenure, and all our marine and inland waters.”
Leading the way, the Monaro Acclimatisation Society recently secured the care and management of an iconic fishing spot known as ‘Paddy’s Corner’, on the Thredbo River near Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains. Steve Samuels, the Society’s president said “At Paddy’s Corner local anglers have assumed responsibility for the adjacent Crown Reserve and will guarantee public access into the future. Our success shows that anglers working with Government can protect their valuable fishing spots and provide an enduring asset for the fishing public.”
The NSW Angler Access Forum was funded by the NSW Recreational Fresh and Saltwater Licence Trusts, the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, and supported by, Industry & Investment NSW. RFA also acknowledges the efforts of all participants.
Poole concluded, “Recreational Fishers are true conservationists, and are committed to ensuring their practices are sustainable in the long term. Securing and protecting access for the fishing public is a vital step in delivering quality recreational fishing opportunities into the future”.
Contacts:
RFANSW – Chairman Malcolm Poole 0403 125 766 or Secretary Stan Konstantaras 0407 131 714
NSWCFA – President Steven Samuels (02) 6241 7957
