7th Jan. 2009.
Mr. George McKay
Chairman,
National Parks & Wildlife Advisory Council,
43 Bridge St.,
HURSTVILLE. NSW. 2220.
Dear Sir,
I acknowledge your reply of 8th Dec referring to my letter to Ms Olley, Alstonville 8/10/08.
Our purpose in writing to the Advisory Council was to get some fruitful dialogue happening on the subject of access for Amateur Fishers to the Intertidal area in primarily the Wooyung Nature Reserve. Unfortunately your reply was very non-committal.
Our concerns are now twofold.
1. A Report attributed to Andrew Cox where he states ?20% of all NSW waters to be fully protected from Fishing?.
2. An on-line Website ?
http://www.npansw.org.au the contents of which are extremely alarming to the Fishing Fraternity in NSW.
This Site is a frontal attack on Fishing and it claims to be the Voice of the National Parks Association. The following is stated unders its policy.
1. Fishing should not be permitted in National Parks, Nature Reserves or Wilderness etc?
??whether commercial or otherwise
?etc.
2. The National Parks and Wildlife Act should be amended to include etc?
and to provide for the prohibition of fishing in National Parks and Nature Reserves. Similarly, the Wilderness Act should be amended to provide for the prohibition of Fishing.
ECOfishers would like to know what is Truth and what is Spin. Because what we read on this Website as ?Policy? is a direct confrontation towards Recreational Anglers.
We cannot understand why the NPWS cannot work with the likes of ECOfishers who believe and act upon its motto ?Conservation through Sustainable Use?? Instead the current policy and actions of the NPWS is ?Lock everything up ? Build Barricades and Gates ? Keep the Public Out?.
In the case of access to the Intertidal Areas of the Nature Reserves, it is one thing for an active person to be told he can fish the area, if he walks there. What about our Senior Citizens with Disability Permits who can?t walk the required distance carrying their fishing gear. How UnAustralian is this ? to prevent access to an area they have fished for many years, without any damage being done to that area.
On Tuesday 6the Jan, 09, a TV Segment showed 4WD Vehicles on Stockton Beach, together with NPWS Rangers. Our beaches on the Tweed Coast never carry this density of Traffic and you would be lucky to even see and count 10 vehicles at any one time including during local fishing competitions.
ECOfishers Tweed Branch is seeking a more positive reply to the following:
1. Equal Rights with Pro Fishers fronting the Wooyung Nature Reserve
2. How much of the above statements on the Website are in fact the Policy of the National Parks and Wildlife Service?
We look forward to opening a fruitful dialogue with you to resolve this discrimination. Your early reply would be appreciated.
Yours Sincerely,
David Cranwell
Spokesperson
ECOfishers Tweed Branch, Tweed Coast Fishing Clubs Assn, Pottsville Fishing Club.
