COMMERCIAL netters are set to decimate NSW waters if plans to reduce restrictions and open up fragile estuary systems are allowed.
Netters and commercial fisheries managers are pushing for rule changes to allow the pros to mesh and haul in systems up and down the coast. They are lobbying to target valuable recreational species such as salmon, tailor and even kingfish via beach haul operations.
Key systems such as Sydney’s Pittwater, the Shoalhaven River, the Moruya River, Coila Creek, Merimbula Lake, Warrell Creek, Port Stephens, Tuggerah Lakes, the Hawkesbury and Lake Illawarra, as well as numerous smaller systems, will face huge increases in commercial pressure if the pros are successful in pushing for more netting access. (See fact box at bottom for more details on proposed changes in some of these systems).
Most of the systems earmarked to become netting hotspots are popular recreational fisheries. Many, including Merimbula Lake, have been net-free for decades.
The proposed netting increases are part of a “reform” of commercial fishing being managed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
The NSW commercial sector has long been regarded as being economically unsustainable and the proposed increases are seen as one of the ways to make the industry more viable. However, there are strong concerns that the increased netting pressure would limit or potentially destroy the recreational sector, which contributes far more in terms of money and jobs than the commercial industry.
As well as increases in estuary netting, including destructive haul and mesh netting activities, the commercial sector is pushing to repeal bans on beach hauling for salmon and tailor. The beach haulers also want to be allowed to take kingfish as a “conditional target species” plus operate during peak holiday times such as the Christmas holidays.
It’s understood that the commercial sector also wants to extend its activities into marine parks. Fisho is not aware at this stage of any push by the pros to encroach on NSW’s system of recreational fishing havens.
The proposed changes are detailed on the DPI website – see HERE for details. Fisho is not aware of any media releases announcing these proposals and is aware of concerns within the rec sector that the pros have attempted to push their proposals through “under the radar”.
The contentitious increased netting proposals are contained within hundreds of pages of highly detailed information. Public submissions to the proposals are open until May 19. There are concerns within the recreational fishing community that the complexity of the proposals and the amount of detail and data contained within the documents makes it impossible for effective responses to be lodged in this tight timeframe.
Fisho has not had time to fully analyse the information contained in the proposals. We were only made aware of the situation today.
From our limited reading of the papers, it seems clear that the proposals put forward by the commercial sector are extreme and almost certainly unsustainable. While we understand the commercial industry is undergoing radical restructure, and operators are facing significant business hurdles, the managers in the DPI’s commercial fishing department have displayed serious errors in judgment by steering the sector down what can be seen as an ill considered and very rocky path.
For instance, there is no doubt that the netting increases as proposed would have a devastating effect on fish stocks and recreational fishing opportunities for the 1 million anglers in NSW. This will likely result in a public backlash against both the commercial sector and the Fisheries Department. Fisheries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson will doubtless get dragged into the fray as well.
Aside from that, there are very real concerns that Government acceptance of these disturbingly irrational proposals could severely impact on regional economies which rely on recreational fishing tourism for income. In a time when most developed economies are realising the value and worth of the recreational fishing sector, it is bizarre to think that NSW would even consider allowing more nets in our waters. It’s even more bizarre to realise that commercial fisheries managers allowed these crazy proposals to enter the public sphere in the first place …
We will follow up on this breaking story next week. Meantime, take the time to read the proposals on the DPI website and have your say (for what it’s worth) HERE.
Netting Disgrace!
Here are three examples (out of dozens up for approval) of what the netters and the NSW DPI commercial fisheries managers want to see happen in our estuary systems. Say goodbye to recreational fishing in NSW if this lunacy gets the go ahead …
Pittwater – The whole of the waters of that part of Pittwater, its creeks, tributaries and inlets, enclosed by a line drawn from the western extremity of Barrenjoey Head, to the eastern extremity of West Head, upstream (south) to a line drawn from the western-most extremity of Taylor’s Point to the southern-most extremity of Longnose Point.
Species of fish that must not be taken – Any species of fish. Methods of fishing prohibited – Any method involving the use of a meshing net. Period – The period from January to June (both months inclusive) in each year.
Proposal – Remove restriction. Authorise the use of a meshing net by the method known as splashing between sunset and sunrise. Maintain meshing net restriction on weekends, public holidays and NSW school holidays.
