Swanfish=dead fish

[jm0771]

The Swanfish comp is on in a couple of weeks and there already talking it up in the papers.Correct me if i'm wrong but isn't it a dead fish weigh-in.To promote a catch and kill as much as you can event is just wrong.They say the "stars" are mulloway and BLACK BREAM,a few weeks before the Swan and Canning round of the BREAM comp.I hope I am wrong and would like to hear your views on this "comp".

[Bream Master]

Apparently they are having a live weigh in this year as part of the comp. Unfortunately it will still involve a dead weigh in for most of the competitors though.

Warren.

[Bear]

I hope all BreamMaster fishos will be releasing theirs.

[jonesy2]

I know of a few fishos that have always fished Swanfish over the years and have now set up with live tanks.

I think people are starting to relise that they just cant keep taking fish out of the river.
We can only hope that being that this event is run by a "fishing club" , that they start to relise this themselves

[Dave W]

Let your fingers do the talking guy's:(

Get addresses, either email or snail mail, and voice your opinion on how it should be done - one match doesn't make much of a fire, but put a hundred together and you're getting there:)

[madaff]

Guy's while I am a great beleiver of catch and release and practise it almost always, you can't expect everybody else to behave the same. I know of 2 people who critesized someone for keeping a bream. The anglers involved were so over the moon about catching their first bream, they were quickly shot down and made to feel bad for their actions.

Lets not forget that fishing originated to catch fish for a feed, if that person is made to feel bad about his/her decision to keep a fish, it will only keep pro net fishers in buisness.

We all have progressed from keeping fish-when we started, to keeping the odd fish when we got better, to now releasing all. These anglers are going through the same progression. Ya can't help that, nor should you try to stop it.

Rob M

[Rosco]

If the so called experts say the limit is 8 (soon to be 4....GOOD) then how can you criticise someone for taking 8 ? These experts know a hell of a lot more about it than me so I take there word for it. Obviously with increased fishing pressure and man made stuff ups (chemical & poo spills, over fertilizing etc) the limit is being lowered which all Bream Hunters should rejoice about. Just remember people aren't breaking any laws by keeping Bream.

(Andrew Cribb has written a very scary article about another possible threat to our beloved Swan in this months Western Angler)

[Bear]

Rosco,
I don't think any one has a problem with taking the limit. Then again, I DO have a problem with people who take their limit 4 or more times a week.

If you want that many fish, try for a different species.

[Rosco]

Originally posted by Bear
Rosco,
I don't think any one has a problem with taking the limit. Then again, I DO have a problem with people who take their limit 4 or more times a week.

If you want that many fish, try for a different species. Perhaps your grief is with the "the so called experts" who allow people to take there limit 7 times a week if they want to. Just because we want to protect what we find so enjoyable doesnt give us the right to harrass others, especially if there not breaking any laws. That becomes a very risky business.

[jm0771]

I think there is a difference between someone fishing with the intention of catching a feed or for sport and going out to kill fish for a prize(cash or otherwise).

As has been stated it is the anglers right to take there bag limit,I may not like it but that is the law,I choose to release all bream I catch,that is my right.

I would not tell someone what they can or can't do with there catch,as I would not like the same.

Some consideration for the future is all I ask.

Rosco,
I don't have a problem with people taking a feed of fish or obeying the law, but the law isn't always right, added to that there are always people who will exploit any opportunity.
EG: How many people speed by an amount they think they can get away with, and those same attitudes are across all activities.

The experts you defer to are the same types of people who have told the rest of us whats good for us for generations, and I don't trust em.

The fact is experts often get it wrong, Just look at the EPA of late and the dredging of Cockburn Sound.
I'm not saying don't listen to the experts just don't accept on good faith that what you are being told is the whole truth and nothing but the truth

It has always fallen to concerned citizens raising issues to make changes happen.

Another point to ponder is that these fish belong to everyone and it is unfair that some people are greedy, I for one would be very suspicious of anyone who regularly takes there bag limit, perhaps they are selling the fish illegally, a butcher in the foothills used to sell fish this way, I've heard of another, an owner of a Chinese Restaurant in the southern suburbs who fishes for bream every day and is quite successful by all accounts (Catches fish every day), Makes you wonder.

Guys, what would you do if a greeny came up to you while filling your car with fuel and harrased you for driving a car.
You would laugh and say your not breaking any laws, but in reality he/she is just looking after the thing they love (the environment).
That is no different to harrassing someone for taking a fish home!!!
Think about it guys, but don't get me wrong, i personally don't take fish, but it's my right to that. I'm all for release!:D

Dave

[Bear]

Rosco,
I don't and never have had a go at someone staying within the law. My beef is with the law MAKERS. As long as people can take those numbers, it's up to them to do the right thing.

That goes for all species. I still have arguments with my old man about it. I give my opinion, not for it on others.

[Bear]

I have never gone up to any fisho and had a go at them for taking home the bag limit and I never will.

I have, however, given a few poeple a good clap and thanks for releasing a fish because a couple of fish is a feed.

That is the right thing to do. Anyhting else is an opinion, nothing else. That's what these forums are all about.