Originally Posted by
Slider
Just to reiterate - the intent of net free regions is to enhance marine ecosystems and protect species into the future, enhance recreational fishing and associated tourism and enhance commercial fishing productivity.
The NSW inshore commercial fleet became more productive following the establishment of 30 recreational fishing havens in 2001 and the buy back of 300 inshore commercial licences. 30 less areas to fish, 300 less licences and productivity goes up - well I'll be buggered. The remaining netters are happy, making money and have security for their family's future. Recs are catching more and bigger fish and tourism is benefitting - at the expense of Queensland. I would also suggest that these rfh's were poorly applied and better results could have been attained.