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.
NewMarine Parks and recreational fishing in WA -5 new pages of great content on the FFC website. Pages put together to address some of the concerns of rec fishos about the impacts of MPA's, and in particular sanctuary zones, on their lifestyle and fishing future in Western Australia.
23/08/10Roebuck Bay Working Group (RBWG) newsletter. The RWBG is a fantastic example of marine stakeholders working together to achieve positive outcomes. FFC is a member of the working group. Check out the latest newsletter, it is a great read.
RECOGNISING that Roebuck Bay was without management plans to protect its high values, the Roebuck Bay Working Group (RBWG) formed in 2004 with the objective of developing a values based community driven planning process to protect, restore and maintain the catchment into the future. The RBWG, which is a not-for-profit community based group of 47 members, won a State Coastal Award in 2007. With a strong emphasis on partnerships, the RBWG has been working with landholders, community groups, non-government organisations, industry, the Australian Government, Government of WA and local government to develop management plans and affect change 'on-ground' to protect, restore and maintain the Roebuck Bay catchment.
The FFC media release received good coverage in the Brisbane Times, the Sydney Morning Herald, The West, Nine MSN and others, and in an interview screened on channel 7 news, we would like to sincerely thank all FFC members and journalists involved.
Errata - Before anyone gets all tangled up about it we would like to point out that at no stage did David Cook or anyone associated with the report say anything about 'dragging' of nets. The (mis)quote referring to dragging of nets, attributed to David in some of the reports, unfortunately must have been 'misread'. The source material for this coverage is the media release below and there is no reference to dragging of nets in that. Oh, and nobody ever said "devastated" either.
In case anyone was wondering - the gill net fishery in question operates by stringing out gill nets, sometimes directly in the path of circling spawning aggregations of fish, dugong, turtles or other wildlife - it is so called 'dredge' or 'trawl' as well as 'beach haul' fishing that drags nets.
03/08/10 Fishers For Conservation Media Release
Great Barrier Reef overfishing and Dugong deaths in inshore waters exposed.
Fishers For Conservation has today welcomed the release of a comprehensive report reviewing the gillnet fishery in inshore waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This gillnet fishery, which operates by dragging large nets in the inshore waters of the Park, is “unsustainable at current levels” according to lead author, David Cook. “We are losing our breeding schools of king salmon, queenfish, grunter, fingermark and grey mackerel and now it’s almost impossible to catch a barramundi big enough to keep”.
Mr Cook has drawn on his years of research on the issue and collaborated with Queensland co-authors from Rockhampton, Mackay, Cairns and Cooktown to produce the fully referenced report documenting recreational, commercial, and charter fishers concerns for failing inshore fish stocks and wildlife deaths. “The result is a 62 page report that carefully documents most of our concerns and also explains to the lay person some fisheries management science that seems to have been overlooked”.
Mr Cook, a qualified coastal fisheries manager with extensive experience explained that “the report contains a list of recommendations for early intervention and is being sent to the Premier, the Federal Minister for Sustainability, local candidates for the federal election and other politicians with interests in sustainability, jobs and tourism.” Mr Cook pointed out that this issue was not to be confused with the reef fishery which appears to be well-managed and sustainable. However, “there is a different sweep of fish species that live in our estuaries and inshore waters and these are the ones that have been hammered by the big netters”.
Fishers For Conservation spokesperson, and qualified marine biologist, Josh Coates said, “We have been supporting the local fishers fight to keep net boats from targeting spawning aggregations for over three years now.”
“This kind of fishing is unsustainable. It targets fish when they are at their most vulnerable and prevents them from reproducing. A disturbing side effect of this kind of fishing is the entanglement of Dugong, turtles and other endangered wildlife.”
“In this day and age, it is shocking to think that this is going on in the shadow of the World Heritage listed Daintree and the world famous Great Barrier Reef. It is time to apply a bit of common sense and protect these fish stocks”.Download report
02/08/10Crucial new report documents over fishing and threats to Dugong and other marine life in Great Barrier Reef inshore waters - North Queensland.
This groundbreaking report is fully comprehensive, referenced and contains a list of recommendations for early intervention. The report has been sent to the Premier, the Federal Minister for Sustainability, local candidates for the federal election and other politicians with interests in sustainability, jobs and tourism.
Lead Author, Mr Cook accepts there is some confusion in the public arena with the reef fishery as this appears healthy and very good catches can be made “but there is a different lot of fish that live in our estuaries and inshore waters and these are the ones that have been hammered by the big netters – offshore netting in our inshore waters is unsustainable at current levels” said Mr Cook “We are losing our breeding schools of king salmon, queenfish, grunter, fingermark and now it’s almost impossible to catch a barramundi big enough to keep”.
30/07/10 Letter from FFC gold member David to the Premier regarding Grey Mackerel, Dugong, Whales and more - hit read more for great links to newspaper and other related articles.
"Dear Premier, Migaloo being seen at Snapper Island for the third year running, where, as by now you will be well aware, they set very long, very strong gillnets up to 1.2 km long (water deeper than 20 m – plenty of that near Snapper Is. but ‘only’ 600m length in waters down to 2 m deep) for grey mackerel and shark, was reported in Port Moresby’s ‘National’ newspaper, last Monday.. Imagine my astonishment, in my hotel room in PNG, when I read that the city newspaper’s editor thought it was of interest for their local paper. Now, same week as the Douglas Region’s ‘Independent’ newspaper’s horrific picture and article about the netted dugong with its tail hacked off at Wangetti beach (Douglas region), more Snapper Island-related international news, this time in the worldwide distributed SCRFA Newsletter, read More
Author: Simon Black Posted: Thursday, 22 July 2010
News article on the NSW moratorium bill featuring comment from FFC.
"Environmental groups say the NSW Government has ignored overwhelming scientific evidence and community support with their decision to endorse a five-year moratorium on new marine parks in NSW. The Marine Parks Amendment (Moratorium) Bill was introduced to Parliament in June by Robert Brown of the Shooters Party and stops both the creation of new parks and changes to the sanctuary areas in existing parks." Full Article
20/07/10 Forum/public meeting on river Murray issues in lead up to election.
Date: Thursday 12th August, 6:30 for a 7:00 PM start to 8:30 PM
Venue: the Folk Federation Center, cnr George St and South Rd, Thebarton
Speakers: MC Prof Rob Fowler; Don Henry ACF Executive Director ; Prof Dianne Bell ALP and Greens candidates for the federal seat of Hindmarsh
Public transport available on Bus Routes 110, 111, and 113 to Bus Stop No. 5 on South Road, Thebarton - out front of the Folk Federation Centre venue - or to Bus Stop No.4 on George St, Thebarton - tea, coffee and conversation available before and after the public meeting
More evidence that indiscriminate bottom trawling is very very bad...
"In the United Kingdom, steam trawlers competed for fish with line fishers and trawling became highly controversial, leading to a government enquiry in 1885 to examine claims of reducing fish stocks and habitat damage. The enquiry failed to reach any firm conclusions because of the absence of fishery statistics. It recommended that catch data should be collected, and from 1889 onwards, fishery statistics were gathered for all major ports of England and Wales. These data provide invaluable, but until now neglected, information on fish landings and fleet composition that enables us to reconstruct the changing fortunes of the industry since the late nineteenth century."
"Landings per unit power figures suggest that the availability of bottom-living fish for the fleet fell by 94% from 1889 to 2007. This implies a massive loss of biomass of commercially fished bottom-living fish from seas exploited by the UK fleet. The loss is particularly serious as it encompasses an entire component of the marine ecosystem rather than a single species." {emphasis added}
14/07/10 FFC Media Release
Is NSW set for a great leap backward on Marine Protection?
Fishers For Conservation has today rejected the notion that all recreational fishers are opposed to marine protected areas, following the NSW Shooters Party’s introduction of a Bill to place a five year moratorium on the creation of new marine parks, and changes to sanctuary areas within existing marine parks. Shooters Party MP Robert Brown has cited the need for more science on marine parks as justification for this moratorium but Fishers for Conservation believes the science is in – marine parks are an important part of protecting our fishing future.
“Scientists around the world overwhelmingly agree that marine parks are effective and are a necessary part of marine conservation. Marine parks in places like New Zealand are now scientifically proven to be effective and are broadly supported by fishers, many of whom were initially opposed to their creation,” recreational fisher, marine biologist, secretary and spokesperson Josh Coates said.
“Clearly there is a need to balance the access to fishing with the protection of our marine environments and fish stocks for the future of both fishing and the environment. The rhetoric of ‘lockouts’ that is being bandied around by anti-conservation groups is misleading - NSW marine parks are multiple use allowing fishing in most areas and are designed to protect the marine environment, and therefore the future of fishing.” “What this bill effectively would do is remove the opportunity for improvement to existing marine parks, including changes that could potentially improve fishing access while protecting habitat and species in areas that are not regularly used by fishers. Meanwhile the bill would prevent new areas being protected – protection which would ultimately benefit fish and fishing.”
12/07/10 When will we learn? - as the gulf of Mexico chokes, Australia is opening up more territory to deep water drilling - this risk to our fish and fishing is just not on!
Tell PM Julia 'No oil drilling - protect Margaret River' - " Oil is devastating the Gulf of Mexico right now, and we had our own spill off the Kimberley coast just last year. With 31 new oil leases approved this year, this scenario is now even more possible in our own backyard. But we have a fresh opportunity to stop this. With a new Prime Minister and a Federal election just around the corner, it's now up to us to make this an election issue. Political parties are currently deciding on their election commitments, so if ever there was a time to be speaking up, its NOW."
25/06/10 Marine Bioregional Planning in the East - FFC is seeking input from East Coast members prior to further engagement in this process, The government is scheduled to release its draft marine plan for the East Marine Region during 2011 - Government background Here . Feedback to Email: fisherfc@internode.on.net
In the well chosen words of professional scientist, Tony Ayling, he would “be highly surprised if the dugong had not died in the nets of the same netboat” he had sailed past for the previous three days at Cape Kimberley/Snapper Island whilst Tony was surveying corals. Tony remarked he is highly surprised that this type of netting is allowed in such sensitive an area.
28/05/10 MARINE COMMITTEE HOSTS REEF RESEARCHER The effects of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park management zones on fish stocks will be the subject of a talk at Mossman Bowls Club next Thursday (June 10). James Cook University researcher Dr David Williamson will present his team's findings on how zones are affecting fish populations. The team has been investigating the effects of Marine Park zones on inshore reefs of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park since 1999. Read more
20/05/10 Be on the alert for potential marine pest -
SA fishers are being urged to report any possible sightings of a nationally listed marine pest, the Colonial Sea Squirt. The exotic species (Didemnum spp.) has become a major pest overseas, including in New Zealand, and a suspected case has been reported in the waters of Twofold Bay, New South Wales.
Vic Neverauskas, PIRSA Biosecurity - Aquatic Pests, said while the pest is not currently present in South Australia, it is important that industry be on the alert to protect the biosecurity of our marine habitats. “If it were to become established in South Australian waters, it would be a particular threat to our shellfish and finfish aquaculture,” Mr Neverauskas said. “It overgrows many species, including sponges, anemones, limpets, oysters, mussels, scallops and barnacles.” While similar in appearance to some native species, it should not be handled, removed or broken up in the sea as this increases the chance of it spreading. It is not considered toxic to human health. It has a distinctive mustard or orange-yellow colour and forms large, spongy clumps, often wax-like in appearance. People are urged to report any suspected sightings by: * taking a photo, if possible * recording an accurate note of the location, by GPS and landmarks * then reporting it to FISHWATCH on 1800 065 522. PIRSA Biosecurity is monitoring the NSW situation and is preparing a management strategy in the event of an outbreak in SA.
17/05/10 - Please email now! - Copy, paste and adapt the following from a FFC member, and send to: dpi@ministerial.qld.gov.au
Dear Minister, As a concerned Australian I call on the minister to become aware of, and take urgent action, regarding the targeting of spawning aggregations of Grey Mackerel off the Northern Queensland coast.
The Grey mackerel (Scomberomorus semifasciatus) is endemic to only a small area including the inshore waters of North Australia. Ignoring a local pro fisherman's reported 'gentlemans agreement' to not target the annual aggregations with nets, large boats from 'offshore' fisheries are targeting these schools with heavy winch haul net gear reportedly wiping out whole schools before they have the chance to spawn.
I call for a moratorium to be called on the targeting of Grey Mackerel spawning aggregations by netting, effective immediately.
Action must be taken to protect this species and others from indiscriminate or damaging fishing practices such as haul netting. The decimation of a species could happen in the shadow of the World Heritage listed Daintree region and it would be on your watch, Minister.
You can learn more about the issue at the Fishers For Conservation site: http://www.ffc.org.au/Grey_Mackerel.html. Thank you for your attention and action regarding this important issue.
Sincerely,
14/05/10 The full extent of the effects of what may turn out to be the United States' largest oil spill and most devastating environmental disaster won't be fully known for years. - Sea web - But there are some things we do know now. We know that the spill is damaging the world's ninth largest body of water that contains half of the delicate wetlands in the United States. We know that the vast array of marine species that will be affected (at best) and killed (at worst) by the spill include mammals, reptiles and fish, including the larvae eggs of highly endangered bluefin tuna. And we know that the ocean-related economy in the Gulf region stands to absorb a mind numbing hit, as commercial and recreational fishing alone are worth $2.8 billion per year. Oil spill literature review. Latest news
Also:
BP’s beleaguered boss risked international outrage last night by implying that the millions of gallons of oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico were nothing more than a drop in the ocean. Tony Hayward, chief executive of the oil giant, tried to downplay the disaster which is threatening to become the world’s worst oil spill. His words will provoke a huge backlash from environmentalists who are furious that BP has failed to plug the leak three weeks after it erupted in a rig explosion that killed 11 workers. - UK Daily -
13/05/10 Will recreational fishers of the future lose the opportunity to catch one of the most exciting fish in the sea? The majestic southern bluefin tuna has been commercially fished so relentlessly in the last half century that its population is now below 5% of original levels. This ocean giant is now classified as 'critically endangered' by the IUCN.
You can help by signing the AMCS petition, urging the Government to protect this endangered species. Read more...
Members of all 13 Marine Park Local Advisory Groups (MPLAGs), who first met in February, will meet again later this month (details below). The members of the MPLAGs are providing advice to the Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH) to help develop management plans with zoning scenarios for each of the 19 marine parks.
29/04/10Councils rally behind fishing changes, ABC news - South Australian fishing limits could be fundamentally altered after widespread support for change from local councils.
23/04/10Email Now! A huge threat looms over some of our favorite fishing areas, the Margaret river/ Capes and SA Gulfs/ Kangaroo Island regions - this is the wrong time and place to try to slip new oil and gas mining area under our noses, with the risk of major disasters such as those we have recently seen in the Kimberley and narrowly averted on the Great Barrier Reef - we must see conservation and management plans put in place before we let the oil and gas cowboys into new and risky areas.
The Australian Government plans to announce new oil exploration leases in waters not far from Margaret River in WA and Kangaroo Island in SA in the heart of potential new marine sanctuaries. This places at risk sensitive areas of our unprotected marine environment, as well as our fishing future.
This announcement is planned for 16 May, so we haven't much time. Click the link for an easy way to write your own message Email Now! Note that the map on this site overlays the area of a recent major oil rig related spill onto the areas proposed to be released to industry, to show the possible extent of a major accident. Quite fanciful, and not explained, but use your imagination = bad news for ecosystems and fishing.
23/0410 The Marine Parks Local Advisory Group (LAG) second meeting has been postponed. If you were planning to attend the second LAG meetings scheduled for April 2010, please note the dates have been changed. This change allows more time for community information to be collected through the online South Australian Marine Parks Internet Tool (SAMPIT). The second LAG meeting will now be held toward the end of May 2010. The new dates are posted on the marine parks website as they are confirmed, so to check the date of your next local meeting please go to: http://marineparkssa.ning.com/page/local-advisory-groups
If you have questions or comments please contact: email: marineDEH@saugov.sa.gov.au or Phone: 1800 006 120
Sadly it is now too late for our recently commenced co-management meetings, rhetoric aside, we do need net free areas to allow inshore fish stocks to begin their recovery. Please do read the articles above and do take appropriate action, e.g. just drop a quick email to Peter Garrett’s staffer, Matt.Levey@environment.gov.au and jim.turnour.mp@aph.gov.au and Jason O’Brien at Cook@parliament.qld.gov.au. Also please do txt the editor of the Gazette to lend your support for closing the area to out of town netting, they are asking for a txt response on 0421 269 100. more
24/03/10Are you carrying aliens on your boat?
Reef Watch in partnership with Adelaide Scuba, Glenelg Marina and PIRSA Biosecurity is running a short workshop on Marine Pests - how to ID them and how you can help reduce their spread in Australian Waters. This will be a practical session with inspection of a heavily encrusted (biofouled) hull on Glenelg Marina Slipway. There will also be short talks on marine pests by local marine pest experts. Australia is facing an onslaught of invasive marine pests. Some of these arrive here by accident, transported in ballast water and on the hulls of ships. Others are introduced deliberately and later become a problem. Once in Australia marine pests can be transported by commercial and recreational vessels. Marine pests are great hitch hikers and readily attach themselves to hulls, internal seawater systems, damp spaces or to boating gear such as anchors, ropes and buckets. With more than 1 million recreational vessels in Australia, there is huge opportunity for pests to be inadvertently spread as boats move from one place to another.
When: Wednesday 31st March 6-7.30 pm followed by light supper (with drinks available at bar). Where: Adelaide Scuba/ Glenelg Marina To RSVP for catering purposes email feralperil@ccsa.asn.au or phone Carl Charter on 0466278187.
24/03/10Economic Interests Trump Scientists' Recommendations to Protect Marine Species at CoP15
This month's meeting of CITES rejected trade regulations of red and pink corals (Coralliidae) and a ban on trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna (below), despite scientists' recommendations for the regulations and even though the IUCN already classifies bluefin as critically endangered. Marco Carè/Marine Photobank In spite of recommendations from scientists and conservationists, member nations voting at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) 15th Convention of Parties (CoP15) in Doha, Qatar, failed to approve placing 32 species of red and pink corals (Corrallidae) under Appendix II of the convention. The proposal for trade protections secured the support of a plurality of those voting (64 votes in favor and 59 against, with 10 abstentions) but fell short of the required two-thirds majority. This followed a failure to list bluefin tuna under Appendix I, even though the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies the species as critically endangered, and despite overwhelming scientific evidence that levels of take of Northern Atlantic bluefin are not sustainable. At the 2009 meeting International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) meeting, the catch limit was reduced from 32,000 to 13,500 metric tons, short of the ICCAT scientists' recommendation to reduce the catch to 8,000 metric tons or less to allow the population to recover. More
15/03/10 Download this informative presentation (pdf) from David Cook of the Network for Sustainable Fishing in Far North Queensland. A good overview of the campaign, read more including David's impassioned call to arms "For both sustainability and local economic considerations I urge everyone to take this even further and to push for the Douglas Smooth and Partially Smooth waters to be a Net Free Area. This means doing MORE than YOU have done already...".Read more here alsoHigh res version 4.4 meg with title
10/03/10SA Recreational Fishing - What’s the catch?
Wednesday 24th March, 6.30 pm Public meeting – open to all Presentations and panel discussion featuring:
Dr Keith Jones, Former Manager, 2007/08 Recreational Fishing Survey, PIRSA Fisheries
Dr Simon Bryars, Marine Ecologist-Threatened Species, Department for Environment and Heritage, ·
Matt Osborne, Fishers for Conservation
The formal part of the evening will be followed by informal discussion over drinks and nibbles. Coglin Street Community Centre Coglin Street (near the Central Markets) The CCSA Fish Forum is a regular event where you can discuss fisheries issues directly with government representatives, scientists and other stakeholders.
RSVP to Alex: alex.gaut@ccsa.asn.au or call 8223 5155 For more information: www.ccsa.asn.au/fishforum
A detailed report by Dr Keith Jones outlining the results of the 2007/08 South Australian Recreational Fishing Survey was launched in December 2009. Click here for a copy of the full report (PDF). Or check the somewhat uninspiring Government site
March 2010 - The State Government is asking the community to get involved in the SA marine parks zoning process via an online mapping tool called SAMPIT (South Australia’s Marine Parks Information Tool). The information inputted into SAMPIT will help the Government decide where marine park zones should go.
It is vital that supporters of marine parks identify areas needing protection as well as areas that are important to you for fishing and other uses like snorkeling, diving, surfing, bird watching and even just a walk along the beach. You don't have to live in South Australia to take part, the input of interstate and overseas holiday makers is also important.
SAMPIT is a simple step-by-step online mapping process.
For more information about South Australia's marine parks and how to use SAMPIT, click on the link above. Together, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure a healthy future for South Australia's coasts and oceans. Thanks in advance for your help on this important issue.
03/03/10Marine Parks and recreational fishing in WA -These pages have been put together to address some of the concerns of rec fishos about the impacts of MPAs, and in particular sanctuary zones, on their lifestyle and fishing future in Western Australia.
02/03/10Mercurial Tuna: Study Explores Sources of Mercury to Ocean Fish ScienceDaily (Mar. 2, 2010) — With concern over mercury contamination of tuna on the rise and growing information about the health effects of eating contaminated fish, scientists would like to know exactly where the pollutant is coming from and how it's getting into open-ocean fish species.
24/02/10POACHERS are raiding "no-take zones" on the Great Barrier Reef as fish stocks more than double in protected areas, the latest research shows. - courier mail - "The resounding pattern overall is there are more and bigger fish in the protected areas than the fished areas," said Dr McCook, of GBRMPA and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies. "Bigger fish have more babies. The increase spills over into the fished areas." - Read more about the contribution of big fish to reproductive success in our information sheet available here
23/02/10 - Japan Plans to Ignore Any Ban on Bluefin Tuna - Oceanic Defense - Japan will not join in any agreement to ban international trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna under the United Nations treaty on endangered species, the country’s top fisheries negotiator said. The negotiator, Masanori Miyahara, said in a telephone interview this week that Japan “would have no choice but to take a reservation” — in effect, to ignore the ban and leave its market open to continued imports — if the bluefin tuna were granted most-endangered species status. “It’s a pity,” he said, “but it’s a matter of principle.”
23/02/10 - New International Agreement Highlights Threats to Sharks in Australia - A new landmark agreement to counteract the alarming global decline of sharks highlights the need for increased protection in Australia. The agreement was signed on the 12 February 2010 under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). Government representatives meeting in Manila, Philippines, agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding on the conservation of migratory sharks. Currently four of the species covered by this agreement, the Whale Shark, Basking, Porbeagle and the Great White are protected in Australia, but two others – the Shortfin and Longfin Mako Sharks - were recently denied full protection by Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett after pressure from game fishermen.
22/02/10 - Gas hub concerns - Abc online - A state government report has found that a gas development near Broome could have a major impact on the region's fisheries. The development at James Price Point will process gas from the Browse Basin. The report, which has not been released publicly, suggests fish numbers will decline and that will affect the local economy. Also Kimberley gas hub threatens fish: report.
19/02/10 new review paperImpacts of climate change on marine ecosystems and fisheries - Ignoring the effects of climate and continuing with existing strategies for fisheries management is not a sensible option. The possible consequences of climate change are being taken into account in planning most areas of human activity including sea defense, water supply, health, tourism, insurance, agriculture, and forestry, and it is timely to include them in planning fisheries management.
17/02/10 - Feedback sought on lobster resource sharing plan - abc online - A new scoping paper examining the sharing of resources between different lobster fishing sectors has been released for public comment. Department of Fisheries' spokesman Chris Reid says currently 95 per cent of the rock lobster fishery is allocated to the commercial sector and 5 per cent to recreational fishers. He says the paper will have implications for all fisheries. "There's a limited amount of catch that can be taken and so obviously you need mechanisms to allow the different sectors to access the catch that can be taken and the paper examines different approaches that can be used Fishers are being asked to make submissions to the paper by April 23.
05/02/10 First meetings of the 13 Marine Parks Local Advisory Groups (MPLAGs) due to begin on Monday, February 8. MPLAG members, who were appointed late last year, will help develop management plans for each of the 19 marine parks. Members of the public are invited to observe all MPLAG meetings, the details of which are listed on the SA state page
Mako_shark.html01/02/10No Protection - recreational fishers blamed! - Minister Garrett has decided not to list the porbeagle, longfin mako and shortfin mako sharks under Australia's Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC), despite current legislation requiring this when a species is listed under the Convention for Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS).
26/01/10An Evaluation of Sustainable Seafood Guides: Implications for Environmental Groups and the Seafood Industry - pdf - In recent years, the number of sustainable seafood guides internationally has grown to approximately 200 (Seaman 2009). The traffic light system remains, as has the primary function—to influence consumers’ decisions toward purchasing seafood on the green list and away from purchasing from the red list to improve the sustainability of the ocean environment.
Extract: Available evidence indicates that temperate no-take marine reserves have higher densities, biomass, and species richness of marine biota within their boundaries compared to areas outside reserves. Fish density and biomass in particular are higher in no-take than in adjacent areas, which is consistent with previous analyses (Mosqueira et al. 2000; Côtéet al. 2001; Halpern 2003; Micheli et al. 2004; Claudet et al. 2008). We also found that algal densities are higher inside reserves, which may indicate a trophic effect. In temperate systems, the common grazers such as sea urchins often reach high densities in the presence of fishing because their predators are removed from the system, and thus this result suggests a return to a more intact ecosystem state inside reserves (Behrens & Lafferty 2004).
A University of Tasmania thesis is now available online which examines several Australian fisheries in depth. Australian governments are committed by policy statements to apply the ecosystem and precautionary approaches. However the thesis finds that, in the case studies examined, there is little or no evidence that fishery managers have implemented comprehensive measures towards applying these approaches -- sometimes in contravention of clear statutory obligations. The author of the thesis, Dr Jon Nevill, argues that, to protect fish stocks and both recreational and commercial fisheries, fishery management agencies need to be replaced with agencies focused on the protection and management of aquatic biodiversity. Link: http://www.tucs.org.au/~cnevill/marinePhD.htm
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.
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
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