Fishers For Conservation, supporting recreational fishers and other people who fish, marine conservation and a healthy environment for now and the future. Keywords: fish fishing recreational fishing sport marine environment MPA Marine Protected Area sustainable eco Australia angler
Fishers For Conservation Inc. homepage
Love our oceans and rivers and understand that responsible, sustainable fishing is important to aquatic conservation?
Fishers For Conservation Inc. (FFC) is an Australian based non-profit incorporated association
educating, supporting and representing recreational fishers. FFC counts as members people from all walks of life including commercial fishers, divers, tourism operators, aquatic scientists, and plenty of average anglers with jobs like nurses and teachers. All members are united by the goal of protecting the aquatic environment to ensure future generations can enjoy recreational fishing and other aquatic pursuits as we have in the past and do today. We support
conservation and ecologically based management of the coastal, marine and freshwater environments. FFC is about fishing and respecting the environment you love.
Fishing and aquatic environment conservation can co-exist and to achieve this fishers must adopt sustainable and ecologically based practices and attitudes. FFC is about educating and keeping you informed about conservation issues and acting to ensure that our amazing aquatic environment is protected for us and future generations to appreciate. For more info on FFC see about us.
Learn more and Take action: Latest
19/10/11 Avaliable for download: Submission from the NSF, Douglas Region, Far North Queensland to the current assessment of the ECIFF. Download - PDF - and Word versions. To be read in conjunction with our earlier ‘Review of Concerns ..’ which is a vital part of this submission.
This submission is in relation to the Environmental Assessment on the (QLD) East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (ECIFF) under the Environment and Biodiversity Protection Act, 1999 and the Guidelines for the Ecologically Sustainable Management of Fisheries, Ed. 2, 2007
02/09/2011 - Top End fishermen condemn return of reef trawlers - ABC news - "Top End fishermen fear they will be hit by a decision to allow bottom trawling off the Kimberley coast of Western Australia. Fishing groups and environmentalists in the Top End are outraged by a Federal Government decision to allow trawling off the Kimberley coast of Western Australia by the end of October."
Fishers For Conservation supports the commercial fishers of the Kimberley in thier fight to prevent this damaging trawl fishery into an area they should not go, to destroy ecosystems and fishery resouces off the Kimberley coast.
23/08/11 - Have your say on the North-west A draft Marine Bioregional Plan and a Commonwealth marine reserve network proposal for the North-west Marine Region have been released for public consultation. These drafts will be available for public comment for 90 days during which everyone is encouraged to make a formal submission. Read more at http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/mbp/north-west/consultation/index.html#plan to make your own submissions. Fishers For Conservation is planning to make comment as well and member feedback is wanted to fisherfc@internode.on.net
13/08/11 - Gagging scientists about marine parks - Opionion piece regarding the current process and how many were not allowed to join the "over 150 marine scientists (mostly from Australia, including me) who are concerned that the proposed network of marine reserves in the Commonwealth waters of the South West bioregional marine planning region is not based on sound scientific principles, and is instead a mash-up of what amounts to leftovers that industry hasn’t yet found a way to exploit. Not the best way to plan for marine biodiversity conservation in the long run."
12/08/11 Fishing and conservation groups unite - Paraphrased from Environs Kimberley media release. Fishing and Conservation groups have united to express alarm over Federal government plans to allow trawling of an area the size of greater Perth in the pristine Kimberley next month. The Australian Fishery Management Authority’s proposal to allow trawling in the area has upset local fishers as trawling in this area will destroy the local trap and line fishery. Bob Masters, Broome representative of the local trap and line fishery (Northern Demersal Scale Fishery (NDSF)) says “This 6000 sq km area was never meant to be part of the deep water prawn trawl fishery (North West Slope Trawl Fishery) that trawls offshore areas deeper than 200m. “The Authority’s own management plan states that no trawling should be done in shallow areas (less than 200m in depth). ”We fish for tropical snappers in this area and our fishery has strict effort quota restrictions to ensure stock sustainability. “Trawlers have not been allowed into the area since the Taiwanese trawlers were stopped in the 1970s and since then the seabed habitats have regrown and the fish communities have been replenished.” ... Martin Pritchard, Director of Environs Kimberley says “This area is currently being considered for the National Marine Reserve Network and trawling is one of three fishing gear types disallowed in the reserve network.” “Why will this area be opened to trawling before the marine reserve network is finalized?” he asked.
27/07/2011Your chance to support FFC and proudly cast out your custom pellagic game rod or special FFC boat rod. The game rod is unique -specially designed for the FFC showing their objectives which are printed directly onto the Sabre blank between a split rear leather grip. A rare opportunity to purchase a rod knowing that it also assists in the conservation of our fish stocks. A 3-4kg fully rollered game rod with a double over-bind under a high build epoxy, this is ready to tackle pelagic’s head on. The boat rods are individually named and high quality. Thanks to FFC Gold Member Eyre Rods for this great offer!
23/072011South Australia Cuttlefish colony missing - "Experts and tourism operators say they are at a loss to explain why the tens of thousands of Giant Australian Cuttlefish have not appeared for their annual breeding migration. They fear the species is in danger, saying less than a quarter of the usual numbers have made it to the shallow, rocky waters off Whyalla and those that have are smaller than usual." this area is proposed for a desalination plant and this article suggests commercial overfishing may be a key issue.
17/06/11 Luc Longley talks fishing and marine sanctuaries - Australia's first NBA basketball player, Luc Longley, is just as passionate about his fishing as his basketball. That's why he's produced this video, alerting fishers to the Australian Government's proposed South West marine sanctuaries and our one chance to get them right so that there's more fish in the oceans. This link was sent to us by Save Our Marine life.
Two dead snubfin dolphins float in a waterway A local fisherman made the discovery in Two Mile Creek. Authorities are disgusted by the discovery of two rare dolphins found dead, tied to mangroves, and weighed down by a slab of concrete in north Queensland.
10/05/11 The Victorian Coalition Government has announced a commitment to improve opportunities for Victorian recreational fishers with a $16.2 million investment in the 2011-12 Victorian Budget.
20/04/11A new book has been published examining the application of the precautionary principle and the ecosystem approach in Australian fisheries management. Download flyer (.doc)
Overfishing under regulation: The application of the precautionary principle and the ecosystem approach to Australian fisheries management. Dr Jonathan Nevill 2010 Overview: This book explores the idea that poor fisheries management - and the economic and ecological damage which follows - is largely the result of management failures to implement important strategies to account for uncertainty. The two most important of these strategies are the precautionary principle and the ecosystem approach. After investigating the implementation of these strategies in Australian fisheries case studies, the author concludes that implementation is at best incompetent, and at worst dishonest. However, the case study of the southern ocean krill fishery, managed by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, provides an important exception. Other case studies include the Western Rock Lobster fishery, the Northern Prawn fishery, the Orange Roughy fishery, and South Australia's abalone fishery. The central conclusion of the book is that steps must be taken bring about radical change in the cultures which operate within fisheries agencies. This could be achieved, the author argues, by replacing fisheries management agencies with agencies charged with managing marine biodiversity assets
This timely, copyright free and important presentation put together by the Network for Sustainable Fishing (NSF) Urban Coast of the GBRMP 6 April, 2011.
One of Australia's most respected scientists discusses marine parks, do they work?
"As marine reserves spread inexorably across the planet, the cry from skeptics and some fishermen is: “Do marine reserves work?” The science is pretty clear but acknowledgement of this by the public is another story. Let me begin with a story of my experience answering this question while communicating to stakeholders the subtleties of marine conservation planning during the rezoning of Moreton Bay."..
29/03/2011Marine reserves a boon to fishermen, research shows. By Lewis Smith March 29 2011 - Marine reserves bring dramatic improvements not just in the number of fish within them but in the catches fishermen make outside them, a succession of scientific studies has shown.
This article examines the Marine Parks debate raging in Australia today. An experienced fisher and marine scientist asks the question – are we missing the point?
If you are a fisher in SA or anywhere in Australia please read this article by one of FFC's founding members.
25/2/11 - FFC Sustainable Fishing Education for Roebuck Bay (WA) project launched!!
The sustainable fishing project education is a collaborative project that aims to provide the most current and scientifically up to date information possible to assist the recreational fishing community and others to fish sustainably and look after the Roebuck Bay region. Read more here or at www.sustainablefishing.net.au (coming soon).
Read up on some of the proven scientific benifits of marine parks.
"Marine parks are internationally recognised as an effective tool to manage and conserve marine resources and biodiversity. Because marine parks will introduce some changes to how South Australian waters can be used, it’s important to know what benefits can be gained from protecting sections of our marine parks as no-take marine reserves (sanctuary zones) where extractive activities are prohibited. Multiple-use marine parks attempt to reduce the impacts on marine ecosystems by protecting a proportion of all habitats and their associated species from removal, destructive activities and a range of threatening processes. "
8/02/11 How I Fell in Love With a Fish. An engaging and entertaining examination of the futre of sustainable fishing, food and aquaculture.
"Chef Dan Barber squares off with a dilemma facing many chefs today: how to keep fish on the menu. With impeccable research and deadpan humor, he chronicles his pursuit of a sustainable fish he could love, and the foodie's honeymoon he's enjoyed since discovering an outrageously delicious fish raised using a revolutionary farming method in Spain."
05/02/11 - SA marine Parks, Where is the process at?
The Department of Environment and Natural Heritage has developed a new corporate website, with a special section for marine conservation - including marine parks. The new marine park home page will still be accessible via this URL: www.marineparks.sa.gov.au.
The sanctuary zones 'scenarios' map has finally been released as a single map covering the whole state, download here. Thanks to those who have provided feedback to Email: fisherfc@internode.on.net so far. FFC belives in fair and equitable access for fishers and protection to ensure our fishing future.
"The so-called ‘spillover effect’ is a long-standing debate in conservation ecology. The idea is relatively simple – put in a marine reserve (or, no-take zone, park, whatever you wish to call it as long as it restricts blanket over-fishing) and the area around the reserve eventually profits from the nearby over-production of fish (and other taxa)."
The University of Adelaide's Dr. Melissa Nursey-Bray has this morning published a report that has reviewed over 350 scientific and social studies on existing marine parks.
The report examines marine parks from an economic and environmental perspective. The report demonstrates that marine sanctuary zones act as effective fisheries management tools as well as providing comprehensive conservation outcomes.
"This review provides an international overview of the design, principles, socio-economic conditions, and different models for MPAs. While it is acknowledged that the benefits of MPAs occur for many sectors and industries, this review explicitly highlights the benefits of MPAs to fishing."
The report presents case studies in a plain English format and will act as an easy reference guide to help communicate the benefits of sanctuary zones using real life examples!
26/11/10 Draft zoning arrangements for the SA marine parks are now available. View the SA Marine Park outer boundaries Here and the new maps showing possible sanctuary zones at http://marineparkssa.ning.com/page/local-advisory-groups - download the 'scenario map' for your local area and you will get an idea where the no fishing areas may be and a brief explanation of the rationale behind each high protection zone. Read more on our SA Marine Parks Page
20/11/10 Check out the sustainable seafood guide online. from the Australian Marine Conservation Society. See how your favorite catch is rated. Think about how much it is worth to you and how much it is worth on the warf or costs in the shop or resturant...
8/11/10 Read this correspondance from an experienced and passionate fisher and 15 year calm water fishing guide, retail fishing industry worker, past director of Tourism Tropical North Queensland and fisheries researcher for Tourism Queensland.
"I got sick of making excuses as to why the fishing was so poor that I could not justify taking clients money and honestly say………the tides must be wrong / the water is too cold / too hot / there has been too much rain and fresh water / that we needed more rain to flush out the system……..everything but to admit that the fish stock have become so badly depleted by commercial netting and that’s why we had to be content with piddly 25cm grunter and catfish instead on glorious barramundi / fingermark / king & blue salmon / queenfish etc etc etc.
"The solution is quite simple – GET RID OF THE NETS IN INSHORE / COASTAL / TIDAL areas in highly populated / tourist destinations where the true economic value of the now limited resource may be enhanced by recreational sport fishers." Read the full letter here.
Check out the new Fish Focus Forum for in depth examination of interesting fish species and issues.
Help to stop the decimation of a species in the shadow of the World Heritage Listed Daintree in Queensland's far North. More info on the Grey Mackerel and what you can do here.
The largest desalination plant in the southern hemisphere threatens fishing in Spencer Gulf, South Australia - read more here
What you can do:
There are many ways to get involved with FFC via this web site. Read the information provided on sustainable fishing and aquatic conservation and explore some of the links provided. Send an email to a decision maker or participate in upcoming events. If you like what we do please JOIN THE FFC (free membership available) and let everybody know the majority of fishers support marine and freshwater environment protection. So get active, get educated, and add your voice to the growing movement for protection of our marine and freshwater environments.
Know somebody who would be interested in this site? Maybe a workmate, relative or fishing friend? Email a friend and let them know about this web site.
Please note - we are currently looking for State based volunteers to update the State pages - your chance to keep people in your area and elsewhere up to date, please contact us if you can help FFC in any way.
Find what you want quick - search this site or launch a web search with Google
Become a Member Basic membership is free - stay informed and support FFC
19/10/11 
28/09/2011 - 
02/09/2011 - 
23/08/11 - Have your say on the North-west A draft Marine Bioregional Plan and a Commonwealth marine reserve network proposal for the North-west Marine Region have been released for public consultation. These drafts will be available for public comment for 90 days during which everyone is encouraged to make a formal submission. Read more at 
13/08/11 - 
20/04/11 
26/02/2011 - 
19/1/11
26/11/10
20/11/10
