THE Community Action for Fish Rock Group (CAFR) says it is delighted that regulations banning bait fishing and jigging at Fish Rock are being lifted.
The Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson said the NSW Government would put the closures back out to public consultation for a further three months to ensure the best outcome is achieved for both the Grey Nurse population and the local community.
This fulfills a promise made by the then shadow minister Duncan Gay that if elected the Coalition would revoke these regulations made by the previous Labor minister.
In an issued press release, CAFR said the reversal of the closures is a common sense victory for the communities centred around South West Rocks and Hat Head who fought so hard against these politically based closures.
CAFR was formed by a group of concerned fishers after learning of the proposed closures without any thought of the effects on or the feelings of the local community. The group has acknowledged the help of local member Andrew Stoner in fighting the closures.
CAFR would also like to hear from anyone who may have been fined for fishing at Fish Rock duing the closure period, as the group will be making representation to have fines revoked.
Contact CAFR at fishrock@dodo.com.au.
