TerryF
15-09-2009, 01:58 AM
Recfishwest seeks Minister's support for fisheries management package
Media Release - Recfishwest seeks Minister's support for fisheries management package. http://www.recfishwest.org.au/MediaReleaseDemersalPackage.htm
Recfishwest has presented to Fisheries Minister Norman Moore an alternative management package for west coast demersal scalefish and licence fees.
"Recfishwest has accepted the Minister's challenge to develop an alternative management strategy to reduce the recreational take of key west coast demersal scalefish by 50% without the use of a high licence fee," executive director, Frank Prokop said today.
In developing this package Recfishwest has consulted with key recreational fishing stakeholders through a number of industry summit meetings.
The 50% reduction formed the basis of the management discussions. Following negotiations, Recfishwest endorsed an individual limit of one and a boat limit of two dhufish together with an individual limit of two high risk demersal species within the west coast bioregion. A further two pelagic species such as mahi mahi and Spanish mackerel would also be permitted.
Recfishwest has strongly advocated for the carriage of a release weight to be compulsory for anyone who lands a west coast demersal species.
Research has proven that the release weight dramatically improves survival of dhufish. Mr Prokop said that it was important to continue to improve survival of released fish.
"Our proposal does not include a $150 demersal licence fee, but rather introduces a modified version of the government's proposed state-wide Boat Fishing Licence of $30 per individual fishing from a registered boat," Mr Prokop said.
In taking this position Recfishwest is mindful that not all recreational fishers will be entirely happy with the proposal. Nevertheless, Recfishwest recognises the importance of a licence as a valuable research census tool and an additional revenue source that can be applied to recreational fishing priorities such as; habitat and stock enhancement, dedicated recreational compliance patrols, research and education.
While an agreed position on licences was not able to be reached during the consultation with other industry groups there was wide scale support for the biological aspects of the proposal.
"This shows significant leadership from the recreational sector in responding to a sustainability challenge in the face of a conservation movement looking to lock up the oceans to fishing," Mr Prokop said.
Recfishwest urges the government to strongly consider this package given that it addresses the key issues and removes the element of the original proposal that attracted significant public opposition.
Mr Prokop hoped that the community would see the benefits of this compromise package.
Recfishwest Management Package
West Coast Demersal Management Proposal
• Closed Season for High Risk West Coast Demersal Scalefish 15 Oct - 15 Dec
• High Risk West Coast Demersal Scalefish Sub Category - mixed bag limit of 2 (Including an individual dhufish bag limit 1 and boat limit 2. Charter Boat limit of 6 dhufish).
• West Coast Pelagic Scalefish Sub Category - mixed bag limit of 2.
• Some pelagic species moved from High Risk to Medium Risk category
• Compulsory release weight to be carried when landing of High Risk West Coast Demersal Scalefish.
• Removal of Category 1 Boat Limit of 8 High risk fish
Licence Proposal
• State-wide Boat Fishing Licence @ $30 per individual fishing from a registered boat (Note: No Licence required by any person fishing to a licensed person's bag limit).
• Charter boat fishing licence of $15 per trip to apply state-wide where a person fishes on a charter boat without an annual Boat Fishing Licence.
• Standardise existing licence categories to $40ea
• 10% discount for multiple licences and 50% discount for concessions and under 16
• No west coast demersal fishing licence.
Compromise Package & Percentage Reductions
New High Risk West Coast Demersal Scalefish Category - a mixed bag limit of 2 per licence holder 34% (includes impact of boat licence)
Closed season 15 Oct - 15 Dec for High Risk West Coast Demersal Scalefish Category 15%
Compulsory release weight 2%
Total 51%
ENDS
Media Contacts:-
Frank Prokop, Executive Director - Recfishwest ph. 9246 3366 or 0419 949 118
Kane Moyle, Policy Officer - Recfishwest ph. 9246 3366 or 0403 898 432
==============
The Background.
The Government announced licence and management changes which were due to commence on 15 October 2009. Those were decisions by the whole of Cabinet (the Government), and not just by the Minister for Fisheries or the Department of Fisheries.
The "Fishing Tax Grab" group http://www.fishingtaxgrab.com/ is opposed to the proposed licences and urged people to write to their Members of Parliament, resulting in thousands of letters.
Supported by those, the Labor Opposition has threatened to block those changes using a Disallowance Motion in Parliament. Some Government backbenchers signaled a possibility (or stronger) to also oppose the Government. The Premier and the Fisheries Minister have stood firm that the 50% reduction in the mortality of demersal fish due to recreational fishing is not negotiable, and challenged the opponents to come up with alternatives to achieve that.
Recfishwest called a meeting of Industry, etc attended by representatives as listed below, to produce a combined alternative proposal. Ben Patrick (Fishing Tax Grab), Ian Stagles (WA Game Fishing Association), Mike Roennfeldt (Media), Matt Howard (Charter), Simon Joll (Boating Western Australia), Bruce Barnett (Boating Western Australia), Doug Bathgate (Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee), Tim Carter (Australian Fishing and Tackle Association), Paul Duggan (Australian Fishing and Tackle Association), Scott Coghlan (Media), Geoff Ellis (Boating Industry Association of WA), Pat Shinnick (Australian Anglers Association), Lindsay Joll (Dept of Fisheries), Craig Leatt-Hayter (Recfishwest), Frank Prokop (Recfishwest), Terry Fuller (Recfishwest), Norman Halse (Recfishwest), Des Wood (Recfishwest), Kane Moyle (Executive Support, Recfishwest)
That complete group (not just Recfishwest) came up with an agreed alternative to the management and licences proposed by the Government, which they believed more than met the 50% reduction target, based on calculations using data available to the group.
Recfishwest presented the outcomes of that meeting to the Minister, including presenting the alternative views of some of the Industries on licences. The Minister asked the Dept of Fisheries to advise him if the proposal met his non negotiable 50% reduction in the mortality of demersal fish. The Department advised that it did not, in its opinion, meet the 50% target, and changes were proposed to the package.
That revised package was discussed at a second meeting of the above group on Monday 7 September, called by the Boating Industry Association.
The Recfishwest Board considered the package at the 9 Sept Board meeting. Recognising the long time which has elapsed debating management for West Coast demersal fish and the strong opposition to the high cost licensing package proposed by the Government, Recfishwest has advised the Minister that Recfishwest supports this package as an alternative and compromise. Some other groups are opposed to some parts of the package.
A meeting was held on Friday 11 September between the Minister, RFW Board, representatives of the groups above, and more fishing media people at which the Minister spoke and took comments from people. The Minister and Government will now consider the alternative proposal.
As many people would be aware, there are enormous differences of fishers' and industry opinions about many aspects of all this, including some strong, diametrically opposed and "not negotiable" stances by some.
Recfishwest is well aware of all these opinions. Recfishwest can PRESENT these but cannot REPRESENT (which means "promote and expect the acceptance and use of" ) ALL of these conflicting and opposing opinions and then achieve an outcome.
It is one thing to come up with a proposed package, but then the fine and consequential details need to be worked through, before a final agreement can be reached.
In this case there are very complicated political and Government issues, as well as the fisheries management issues.
Publicity for such ongoing and rapid negotiations is always problematic until enough details are final and agreed.
Recfishwest recognises that there are many different views on such an important matter such as licensing and demersal scalefish management, and are pleased that the government is negotiating on a number of the more contentious aspects of the previously announced package.
Recfishwest has now advised its members and the public of this proposal through this media release.
TerryF
=====
Beavering away in the background.......http://www.recfishwest.org.au/LogosRecfishwestLogo.gif
Media Release - Recfishwest seeks Minister's support for fisheries management package. http://www.recfishwest.org.au/MediaReleaseDemersalPackage.htm
Recfishwest has presented to Fisheries Minister Norman Moore an alternative management package for west coast demersal scalefish and licence fees.
"Recfishwest has accepted the Minister's challenge to develop an alternative management strategy to reduce the recreational take of key west coast demersal scalefish by 50% without the use of a high licence fee," executive director, Frank Prokop said today.
In developing this package Recfishwest has consulted with key recreational fishing stakeholders through a number of industry summit meetings.
The 50% reduction formed the basis of the management discussions. Following negotiations, Recfishwest endorsed an individual limit of one and a boat limit of two dhufish together with an individual limit of two high risk demersal species within the west coast bioregion. A further two pelagic species such as mahi mahi and Spanish mackerel would also be permitted.
Recfishwest has strongly advocated for the carriage of a release weight to be compulsory for anyone who lands a west coast demersal species.
Research has proven that the release weight dramatically improves survival of dhufish. Mr Prokop said that it was important to continue to improve survival of released fish.
"Our proposal does not include a $150 demersal licence fee, but rather introduces a modified version of the government's proposed state-wide Boat Fishing Licence of $30 per individual fishing from a registered boat," Mr Prokop said.
In taking this position Recfishwest is mindful that not all recreational fishers will be entirely happy with the proposal. Nevertheless, Recfishwest recognises the importance of a licence as a valuable research census tool and an additional revenue source that can be applied to recreational fishing priorities such as; habitat and stock enhancement, dedicated recreational compliance patrols, research and education.
While an agreed position on licences was not able to be reached during the consultation with other industry groups there was wide scale support for the biological aspects of the proposal.
"This shows significant leadership from the recreational sector in responding to a sustainability challenge in the face of a conservation movement looking to lock up the oceans to fishing," Mr Prokop said.
Recfishwest urges the government to strongly consider this package given that it addresses the key issues and removes the element of the original proposal that attracted significant public opposition.
Mr Prokop hoped that the community would see the benefits of this compromise package.
Recfishwest Management Package
West Coast Demersal Management Proposal
• Closed Season for High Risk West Coast Demersal Scalefish 15 Oct - 15 Dec
• High Risk West Coast Demersal Scalefish Sub Category - mixed bag limit of 2 (Including an individual dhufish bag limit 1 and boat limit 2. Charter Boat limit of 6 dhufish).
• West Coast Pelagic Scalefish Sub Category - mixed bag limit of 2.
• Some pelagic species moved from High Risk to Medium Risk category
• Compulsory release weight to be carried when landing of High Risk West Coast Demersal Scalefish.
• Removal of Category 1 Boat Limit of 8 High risk fish
Licence Proposal
• State-wide Boat Fishing Licence @ $30 per individual fishing from a registered boat (Note: No Licence required by any person fishing to a licensed person's bag limit).
• Charter boat fishing licence of $15 per trip to apply state-wide where a person fishes on a charter boat without an annual Boat Fishing Licence.
• Standardise existing licence categories to $40ea
• 10% discount for multiple licences and 50% discount for concessions and under 16
• No west coast demersal fishing licence.
Compromise Package & Percentage Reductions
New High Risk West Coast Demersal Scalefish Category - a mixed bag limit of 2 per licence holder 34% (includes impact of boat licence)
Closed season 15 Oct - 15 Dec for High Risk West Coast Demersal Scalefish Category 15%
Compulsory release weight 2%
Total 51%
ENDS
Media Contacts:-
Frank Prokop, Executive Director - Recfishwest ph. 9246 3366 or 0419 949 118
Kane Moyle, Policy Officer - Recfishwest ph. 9246 3366 or 0403 898 432
==============
The Background.
The Government announced licence and management changes which were due to commence on 15 October 2009. Those were decisions by the whole of Cabinet (the Government), and not just by the Minister for Fisheries or the Department of Fisheries.
The "Fishing Tax Grab" group http://www.fishingtaxgrab.com/ is opposed to the proposed licences and urged people to write to their Members of Parliament, resulting in thousands of letters.
Supported by those, the Labor Opposition has threatened to block those changes using a Disallowance Motion in Parliament. Some Government backbenchers signaled a possibility (or stronger) to also oppose the Government. The Premier and the Fisheries Minister have stood firm that the 50% reduction in the mortality of demersal fish due to recreational fishing is not negotiable, and challenged the opponents to come up with alternatives to achieve that.
Recfishwest called a meeting of Industry, etc attended by representatives as listed below, to produce a combined alternative proposal. Ben Patrick (Fishing Tax Grab), Ian Stagles (WA Game Fishing Association), Mike Roennfeldt (Media), Matt Howard (Charter), Simon Joll (Boating Western Australia), Bruce Barnett (Boating Western Australia), Doug Bathgate (Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee), Tim Carter (Australian Fishing and Tackle Association), Paul Duggan (Australian Fishing and Tackle Association), Scott Coghlan (Media), Geoff Ellis (Boating Industry Association of WA), Pat Shinnick (Australian Anglers Association), Lindsay Joll (Dept of Fisheries), Craig Leatt-Hayter (Recfishwest), Frank Prokop (Recfishwest), Terry Fuller (Recfishwest), Norman Halse (Recfishwest), Des Wood (Recfishwest), Kane Moyle (Executive Support, Recfishwest)
That complete group (not just Recfishwest) came up with an agreed alternative to the management and licences proposed by the Government, which they believed more than met the 50% reduction target, based on calculations using data available to the group.
Recfishwest presented the outcomes of that meeting to the Minister, including presenting the alternative views of some of the Industries on licences. The Minister asked the Dept of Fisheries to advise him if the proposal met his non negotiable 50% reduction in the mortality of demersal fish. The Department advised that it did not, in its opinion, meet the 50% target, and changes were proposed to the package.
That revised package was discussed at a second meeting of the above group on Monday 7 September, called by the Boating Industry Association.
The Recfishwest Board considered the package at the 9 Sept Board meeting. Recognising the long time which has elapsed debating management for West Coast demersal fish and the strong opposition to the high cost licensing package proposed by the Government, Recfishwest has advised the Minister that Recfishwest supports this package as an alternative and compromise. Some other groups are opposed to some parts of the package.
A meeting was held on Friday 11 September between the Minister, RFW Board, representatives of the groups above, and more fishing media people at which the Minister spoke and took comments from people. The Minister and Government will now consider the alternative proposal.
As many people would be aware, there are enormous differences of fishers' and industry opinions about many aspects of all this, including some strong, diametrically opposed and "not negotiable" stances by some.
Recfishwest is well aware of all these opinions. Recfishwest can PRESENT these but cannot REPRESENT (which means "promote and expect the acceptance and use of" ) ALL of these conflicting and opposing opinions and then achieve an outcome.
It is one thing to come up with a proposed package, but then the fine and consequential details need to be worked through, before a final agreement can be reached.
In this case there are very complicated political and Government issues, as well as the fisheries management issues.
Publicity for such ongoing and rapid negotiations is always problematic until enough details are final and agreed.
Recfishwest recognises that there are many different views on such an important matter such as licensing and demersal scalefish management, and are pleased that the government is negotiating on a number of the more contentious aspects of the previously announced package.
Recfishwest has now advised its members and the public of this proposal through this media release.
TerryF
=====
Beavering away in the background.......http://www.recfishwest.org.au/LogosRecfishwestLogo.gif