IN what may signal the start of a national campaign, rec fishing groups in Queensland and Victoria are asking their respective governments to establish rec fishing havens in popular state waterways. This follows on from calls by anglers to proclaim Sydney Harbour as a rec fishing haven, a direct response to NSW Labor’s recent claim that it would turn the Harbour into a marine park if elected next year.
In Queensland, rec fishing representative body Sunfish is asking the state government for a section of Moreton Bay Marine Park to be set aside for recreational fishing.
Sunfish is asking for public support in its bid, which it says is the way of the future for Moreton Bay as well as many other population centres along the Queensland coastline are suffering localised depletion of fish stocks. A spokesperson for Sunfish says it is almost impossible to catch a legal sized whiting on Moreton or Bribie Islands in peak season. In addition, netted whiting don’t appear in local markets but go directly to Sydney.
Sunfish says it isn’t asking for access to green zones within the marine park – see map below. Follow the progress on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MoretonBayRereationalFishingArea
In Victoria, five top fishing personalities have joined the call for the next state government to establish Port Phillip Bay as a recreational fishing reserve.
In a meeting to discuss the proposal, Rex Hunt, Paul Worsteling, Lee Rayner, Al McGlashan and Adam Royter committed to helping Keep Australia Fishing in its campaign to convince Victoria’s politicians to commit to making Port Phillip Bay Australia’s largest recreational fishing haven.
Fishing icon Rex Hunt said: “Over a million Victorians, including mums, dads and kids, go fishing each year and spend around $2 billion doing so. A lot of this economic activity happens in and around Port Phillip Bay. The beauty of making Port Phillip Bay a recreational fishing reserve is that it’s on the doorstep of Australia’s second largest city.”
Paul Worsteling, the host of the top rating IFish televison program said: “Establishing Port Phillip Bay as a recreational fishing reserve requires a paradigm change in the way governments, the general community and even recreational fishers think about the way we manage our fisheries. It’s about recognising the significant economic, social and environmental benefits recreational fishing can bring to the residents of Melbourne and Victoria.”
Lee Rayner, frontman for the critically acclaimed Fishing Edge TV series said: “This will mean improving shore and on water access to the fishery for recreational fishers – including better boat ramp infrastructure, better access to piers, jetties and other onshore infrastructure. Importantly, this move is about making the shoreline of Port Phillip Bay more fishing friendly.”
Al McGlashan, of the popular Big Fish, Small Boats program, said: “This is a true win-win situation. It would generate much needed economic activity for Victoria, would create real marine conservation benefits and protect fish stocks for future generations. Port Phillip Bay would become a truly family-fishing friendly place for future generations.”
Adam Royter, well known fishing media personality, said “ This is a game changer. It’s about recreational fishers being proactive rather than reactive to issues. It’s about taking responsibility for the management of our key fisheries and protecting our fishing future.”
A Keep Australia Fishing spokesman said “It’s great having the support of some Australia’s best known fishos in this important campaign.
“The leaders of the major political parties in Victoria have our proposal and we await their response prior to the state election. Keep Australia Fishing looks forward to working with the next government of Victoria in establishing the world class Port Phillip Bay recreational fishing reserve.”
Speaking on 3AW radio, Labor’s Agriculture Minister Jacinta Allan said “A Labor Government would not be introducing any new marine parks in Victoria.”
She added, “I would also like to emphasise that we will not be opening up the existing marine parks to any additional recreational fishing activity, but won’t be introducing any new marine parks into Victorian waters.”
Fisho also understands that both Victoria’s Labor and Liberals have not confirmed any support for the establishment of a rec fishing reserve in Port Phillip Bay. Both parties’ policies are expected to be released in around a fortnight.
Which areas in Australia do Fishing World readers think should be proclaimed recreational fishing havens? Let us know your thoughts.
