Fishing Australia

Hi All,
 
Here is an interesting debate about the potential closure of the Coral Sea to all fishing that you might want to check out:
 
http://www.fishingworldmag.com.au/news/join-in-the-battle-for-the-coral-sea
 
My letter to the Pollies is pasted below; you can send your own via the link above.
 
The Hon Kevin Rudd MP
Prime Minister
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

VIA:
The Hon Peter Garrett, AM MP
Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Peter.Garrett.MP@aph.gov.au

Dear Prime Minister,
 

Re the Coral Sea Closure:

I believe the Coral Sea Should become a recreational fishing haven.

A real life case study is worth using as an example of why fishing havens work:
 
Recreational Fishing Havens have been a revelation along the south coast of NSW where I often holiday fish and film.
 
Of course I am of the view that it is every Australians right to fish and keep a feed of fish within the rules and let go the breeders and tiddlers that should go back;  for my mind there is no more sustainable way of getting a meal. I reckon it's even more sustainable that harvesting a small paddock to make vegetable based meals.
 
Many cultures have survived for eons by using fishing as their main source of protein collection; when it has failed is when people try to harvest too much and make profit.
 
Commercial nets and other traps were banned from some estuaries in my neck of the woods when they were made into recreational fishing havens.  They soon came back to life with bait fish, larger piscatorial predators, birds and more. Now people can enjoy teaching younger generations how to fish with hook and line in a sustainable fashion and also preach how to be part of and respect the environment.  Rec havens are often alive with people doing just that at holiday time.
 
In a modern world where there are so many unsustainable practices I think banning recreational fishing is barking up the wrong tree.
 
Hunting and collecting for your own needs is not the big problem; greedy individuals like (some-not all) commercial anglers and illegal fishing is the real problem-the coral sea will flourish if the nets are banned and recreational angling remains.
 
Of course there is much more to the picture but the above sums it up the best I can at this point in time.  
 
In my experience I have no doubt that a recreational fishing haven is the best option for the coral sea.



Rob Paxevanos
 
Host Fishing Australia