What now for recreational fishing in WA

[TerryF]

What now for recreational fishing?

The new Liberal/National government will mean a different approach to fisheries and environmental management and recreational fishing.

But the new government will have lots of other important and urgent things to do and will be lobbied by lots of different interest groups.

A lot of work will be needed to get and keep recreational fishing, etc into that list and get proper and timely treatment of all the conflicting issues and opinions.

Recfishwest Election Policy, on behalf of the recreational fishing community of Western Australia http://www.recfishwest.org.au/ElectionPolicy2008.htm covers lots of very important points for recreational fishing etc and has been very well received.

Now you need Recfishwest to help look after your recreational fishing interests. Who else has the time, the knowledge, the professional approach, the realistic alternatives, the willingness and the contacts?

YOU can support this important work of Recfishwest by becoming a member.

You can join for just $20 or $10 for over 65/under 18, $40 for a family of 4 - by post, by phone 9246 3366, fax 9246 5955, by email recfish@recfishwest.org.au , in person, or fill in a website form see http://www.recfishwest.org.au/MembershipDet.htm

For those who think the Liberal party will REMOVE the West Coast Vulnerable 5 bans, see these extracts from their Liberal Party Recreational Fishing and Boating policy http://www.wa.liberal.org.au/index.p...=49&Itemid=141

Recreational Fishing:- ...There is no question that it is important for the environment and for the commercial and recreational fishing industries that Western Australia’s fish stocks are well managed into the future.

A Liberal Government will immediately establish an expert recreational fishing panel to review the Labor Government’s ban and evaluate the environmental, social and economic impact of the restrictions, with a view to relaxing the bans.

A Liberal Government will be committed to ensuring there is an appropriate balance between the need to manage fish stocks and the ability of Western Australians to enjoy recreational fishing.

Note:- This ONLY promises a review "with a view to relaxing the bans." Does NOT promise REMOVING the bans.

Who is on the "expert recreational fishing panel" will be very important. Watch for info on that.

However, considering the previously proposed start date of the bans on 15 October 2008 is only one month away, the chances of bans starting on 15 Oct this year would have to be low.

But what are the Liberal Party's policies on all the other issues affecting recreational fishing????? Nothing in their election policy other than the commitment to "balance" and the need that "fish stocks are well managed into the future"

National Party's fishing policies???

Then there's the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council's policies to support professional/commercial fishing published in http://www.wafic.com.au/images/wafic---aihah.pdf

Interesting and busy times are ahead.

TerryF
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Beavering away in the background.......

Recfishwest - looking after YOUR recreational fishing future. http://www.recfishwest.org.au/