IN contrast to the QLD Coalition government’s recent slashing of funding to rec fishing groups, shadow federal Fisheries Minister Senator Richard Colbeck claims the federal Coalition will not cut national rec fishing funding – if elected next year.
A press statement released by Senator Colbeck states that “the Coalition welcomes the recent emergence of representative voices for the recreational sector mostly in response to the dismissive treatment of the sector by the Labor government through the Marine Planning process.
It adds “the Coalition looks forward to continuing discussions with recreational fishers to support the development and implementation of a national representative structure.”
According to Senator Colbeck “the recreational sector has demonstrated its capacity to raise significant amounts of money for specific campaigns – that capacity also needs to be harnessed to help support a rational representative organisation,”
“The Coalition understands the very important role this sector plays in many local and regional economies and in supporting tourism. That is why we also hope that the States will play their role in supporting the development of a truly representative rec fishing organisation.”
“The Coalition can also guarantee that it will not rely on marine protected areas as a blunt tool to manage fish stocks.”
“We do not believe in locking Australians out of their own oceans. We have some of the best managed fisheries in the world, which local fishers should be able to enjoy.”
