Freshwater Stocking Groups meet with Qld Fisheries

[Mike Delisser]

This is a letter sent out after the recent meeting between the Freshwater Fish Stocking Assoc of Qld and Fisheries Qld



To: All Stocking Groups
Outcomes From Fisheries Queensland Meeting.
On Thursday the 11th October 2012 FFSAQ met with Fisheries Queensland as a follow up to the email sent to stakeholders regarding budget savings in fisheries management. Fisheries Queensland was represented by Maria Mohr (Managing Director), Andrew Thwaites A/Executive Director, and Peter Kind (Freshwater Scientist). Robin Caddy and Les Kowitz attended on behalf of FFSAQ. The meeting was convened to allow a better understanding of the implications that budget savings would have on the freshwater sector, including the future of the stocking program.

FFSAQ was advised that a program of fish stocking in Queensland would continue, but would be scaled back significantly. In effect, the Recreational Fishing Enhancement Program (RFEP) no longer exists. Fish stocking permits will be maintained and renewed as required, but there will only be minor support and assistance from Fisheries Queensland as staff is no longer available. The positions of Fisheries Extension Officers no longer exist and most staff has now been dismissed. And of course, as previously advised, there will no longer be any government funding for fish fingerling purchases. It was confirmed that there will be no further freshwater workshops scheduled. The SIP Scheme remains intact.

Ceasing of the Fishcare Volunteer Program, the fishway and barrier team, the Suntag Tagging Program, and the Native Fish Strategy team were all confirmed.

There is no intention by the LNP Government to progress the Recreational Fishing Development Plan, as proposed by the previous Labor government.

The Economic and Social Value Survey conducted at 12 freshwater impoundments across Queensland and undertaken by Central Queensland University at Rockhampton was scheduled to be completed by June 1012. It is now expected by the 31st December 2012. It is considered that the results of this survey will indicate the significance of freshwater fishing, and this will assist in influence future government decisions.

The review of the Freshwater Management Plan, as required under the Fisheries Act, will be progressed, and a further meeting of the Working Group has been called in a few weeks’ time.

The future enhancement of Mary River cod as a stocked impoundment specie was discussed, and it has to be said that any progress in a meaningful way over and above what is existing, must be considered questionable. FFSAQ was informed that both hatcheries licenced to breed cod have failed to produce any fingerlings.

The Private Pleasure Vessel (PPV) levy, now known as the Recreational Use Fee (RUF) was raised by FFSAQ for clarification. This fee is a charge levied on boat registrations and is supposed to be expended by Fisheries Queensland on recreational fishing. It raises some $4.6M annually. Even though some of the past expenditure was questionable, it did fund programs such as the RFEP, the Suntag Program, Fishcare Volunteers and the likes. The LNP government has now re-allocated all these funds to consolidated revenue and recreational fishing now gets nothing.

To summarize, and where to from here. In general, Fisheries Queensland will maintain a bare bones fish stocking program with much less service and contribution as in the past. This means that stocking groups, particularly non-SIP groups, will have to be much more self-reliant in their operations. It is expected that this will be very difficult for some. As the SIP Scheme remains intact, these groups are much more secure.

Because of the deterioration of service by Fisheries Queensland, FFSAQ had approached the government for funding to undertake some of the void that has occurred. FFSAQ’s application was denied.

FFSAQ is confident that there is still a very promising future for freshwater fishing in Queensland, despite the current attitude of the LNP government. What is needed is an ongoing campaign to enlighten your local member of parliament of the benefits derived from recreational freshwater fishing, including the economic and social value to your local community. FFSAQ will continue to campaign on your behalf, but it must have your ongoing involvement. If FFSAQ and its stocking group members can maintain a strong and united voice, the benefits will come.

Freshwater fishing has a cultural and heritage value to many Queenslanders, let us maintain that value and tradition.

[Mike Delisser]

This is the media release from the FFSAQ.

F F S A Q

INC.

Freshwater Fishing and Stocking Association of Queensland Inc.

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MEDIA RELEASE

15th October 2012

FISHERS ARE “DUDDED” BY LNP GOVERNMENT ON BOAT
LEVY CHARGE.

“The LNP Government has shown a total disregard and respect to a funding initiative that used to
contribute towards the enhancement of recreational fishing in Queensland. A Private Pleasure
Vessel (PPV) levy, now known as a Recreational Use Fee (RUF) is a charge added to boat
registrations since 1994. But now, the revenue derived from the fee is being allocated to the
general administration of Fisheries Queensland, and

NOT for recreational fishing purposes” Mr
Robin Caddy said today. Mr Caddy is President of the Freshwater Fishing and Stocking
Association of Queensland (FFSAQ). FFSAQ is the peak body organization representing
freshwater fishers.
Mr Caddy said “Boat owners are now being treated with contempt by the LNP Government by
allocating the revenue raised by the fee to other areas outside the intent and guidelines of the
original purpose”.
Mr Les Kowitz, Executive Officer of FFSAQ has indicated that the concept was introduced by
government as a recommendation of the State Government Inquiry into Recreational Fishing.
The recommendation adopted by Cabinet was “A special purpose recreational fishing fee be
imposed on registration fees for pleasure craft for fishing purposes”.
This fee now raises some $4.6M annually.
Monies in recent years have been partly used for activities such as freshwater fish stocking grants,
kids fishing days, fishcare volunteers, fish tagging projects and recreational research assistance.
All of these activities that were once funded from the boat registration levy no longer exist. The
LNP government has simply grabbed the money and allocated it to general revenue. There was
no consultation at all prior to the decision being made.
“When the levy was first introduced, it was well accepted by boaties as it was being expended on
specific purposes to enhance recreational fishing. But now boaties are irate that this is now not
the case” Mr Caddy said.
The Fisheries Minister has now a clear choice. The Minister must either reallocate the PPV/RUF
funds back to its original purpose, or alternatively, remove the $18 levy from boat registrations.
The Minister cannot have it both ways.

Queensland was once known as the “Smart State” it is now a “Sad State”.

Contact for enquiries:

Robin Caddy (FFSAQ President) 0431 101341
Les Kowitz (FFSAQ Executive Officer 0438 631191

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----

Representing Queensland’s Freshwater Fishing and Stocking Associations.

Postal Address: Phone: 07 41631191
PO Box 311 Email: exec@ffsaq.com.au
Nanango Q 4615 Web: www.ffsaq.com.au

[finga]

Well that sucks doesn't it.

Why weren't Sunfish invited seeing they're our peak representatives?

What's the fine for not having a SIP's license?
How do we opt out of the RUF?

[Mike Delisser]

Well that sucks doesn't it.

Why weren't Sunfish invited seeing they're our peak representatives?

What's the fine for not having a SIP's license?
How do we opt out of the RUF?

Because it was a meeting about the future of freshwater stocking and it's funding, the FFSAQ are our peak freshwater stocking group and freshwater fishing club representatives, and are in fact a member group of Sunfish Qld anyway.
I'm not sure of the exact fines but I thought paying for a SIP but not have it on you (failure to produce) was around $180, and not having a SIP at all (fishing without a SIP) was around $380.