REC fishers in NSW are concerned that the state government’s Commercial Fisheries Reforms are posing a threat to fish habitat protection.
Following mounting criticism of the commercial reforms which had proposed the reintroduction of netting into several key estuary systems in the state, the consultation process has now been extended.
The Department of Primary Industries had received more than 750 submissions from commercial operators during the consultation phase that closed on May 30.
According to an ABC article by Bill Brown, rec fishers expect that the commercial operators will seek concessions that will allow more commercial fishing in areas currently reserved for recreational fishing.
Recreational fishing identity Steve Starling says commercial fishers will want access to estuaries that have been reserved for recreational fishers and which as a result has seen a resurgence in fish stocks.
He argues that a combination of areas from which commercial fishing is prohibited together with restrictions on recreational fishing has seen a growth in fish stocks.
“The idea was to give us a few areas where we could fish recreationally and know those fish were safe from the nets”.
He said there was a lot of grumbling by recreational fishers when licensing, bag limits, and restrictions on equipment were brought in but that those measures have “really helped with the preservation of fish stocks.”
“Everyone agrees that the fish stocks have bounced back since recreational fishing areas and quotas”, he told the ABC.
In regard to the areas limited to recreational fishing he said, “The only pressure being placed on fish stocks is the very minimal pressure put on them by recreational anglers working to those regulations.”
Read more at: http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2014/06/24/4032022.htm?site=southeastnsw
