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View Full Version : Coalition Policy on Rec Fishing



Graeme_Creed
22-10-2001, 03:20 PM
Recfish Australia has released its latest newsletter which can be emailed to anyone who is interested.
The newsletter also includes the policies on recreational fishing as presented by the two major political parties.

The Nattional Party, Democrats and One Nation were invited to present a policy to Recfish but have failed to do so.

The following is the Coalition's Policy :

COALITION POLICY

COALITION POLICY TO INCLUDE RECREATIONAL AND SPORT FISHING IN POLICY AND MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS

Recreational and sport fishing’s contribution to the Australian economy and its undoubted recreational value to millions of Australians are fully recognised by the Coalition. Whilst the States and territories are largely responsible for managing recreational fishing, the Coalition recognises that advances in technology are leading to a growing number of fishers in the recreational sector fishing further offshore and pursuing fish that are managed by the Commonwealth through the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

At the 1998 Federal Election the Coalition promised to conduct a National Recreational Fishing Survey. This survey is nearing completion at a cost of just over $2.0 million. Over the last three years the Government through the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation has committed more than $5.0 million to research projects directly related to the recreational fishing sector. In 2001/02, over $2.0 million has been devoted to projects that include the finalisation of the National Recreational Fishing Survey, tagging and release of fish and resource sharing. The Coalition remains committed to research that promotes the sustainable use of our fisheries resources by the recreational sector.

The decision by Prime Minister Howard to nominate Forestry Minister Wilson Tuckey as Minister responsible for Fisheries highlights the Government’s recognition that more ministerial attention had to be given to all aspects of the fishing industry.

Minister Tuckey has concluded a complete round of personal consultations, discussing the future of Commonwealth Government Fisheries management. During these public consultations he has made it absolutely clear that recreational fishing must be an integral part of Commonwealth fisheries management and must be provided with rights and responsibilities.

Like professional fishing, the recreational fishing sector is now highly mobile - State borders and ever-changing policy and bag limits are confusing and annoying. Rights include negotiated access to quotas of highly migratory pelagic species, such as tuna and billfish. Responsibilities will encompass adherence to observing quota and/or effort controls applied across the board.

It will be incumbent upon the recreational fishing sector to voluntarily engage and co-operate with the commercial fishing sector to create better understanding, as the true enemy of all fishers is not other fishers.

The most necessary action now required is for the recreational fishing sector to prepare a documented policy that identifies the way by which the sector would perceive its role as a full partner in Commonwealth fisheries management.

To this end a Coalition Government would look to funding Recfish Australia for the preparation of a draft working document and the conduct of a national conference to identify how best to provide appropriate fishing rights to the recreational sector as they apply to Commonwealth managed fisheries and how those rights may be best allocated.
As with our new approach to the commercial fishing sector, the Howard Government recognises the huge resource of knowledge and experience that can be tapped from those who operate within the industry and believes this approach will deliver the best results as compared to delivering policy from the top.
The process would not be an excuse for delays, as upon re-election there is no need - the homework is complete.
Issued by the Liberal Party Federal Election Campaign Headquarters on 15 October 2001.


The Labor Party Policy will be posted separately.

Graeme Creed
gcreed@melbpc.org.au
on behalf of Recfish Australia