KEARNEY - TORN BLUE FRINGE!

[CEO]

       Prof. Bob Kearney has advised ECOfishers, his scientific review/critique of the NPA's "Torn Blue Fringe," is complete and will be handed to ACoRF.  His comment to ECOfishers was that the science in the NPA's document was WORSE than "shock horror!"
      Incidentally, Prof Kearney has accepted the invitation to the Ecofishes "Unity Summit," and will be pleased to address all the representatives, answer their questions and stay and have a barbeque lunch with us all. ECOfishers, on behalf of the states recreational fishing families, gratefully acknowledges Prof Kearney's generous gesture and we eagerly look forward to his next "words of wisdom," and his critique of the NPA's "Torn Blue Fringe." Thank you, Professor Kearney!

[ACTAngler]

I heard on the weekend that it is being peer-reviewed as we speak.  That will impress the tree-huggers.

[Malcolm Poole]

All

Please find this latest press release from the NPA, a typical response!

They have not seen the paper, like most, but will let you decide as to their actions, playing the man and ignoring the factual scientific ball.


MEDIA RELEASE
11th March 2009

REVEALED: FISHING BODIES PAY INDUSTRY ADVOCATE TO CRITICISE CONSERVATION REPORT

Conservationists have revealed today that an undisclosed sum raised by the NSW Government from recreational fishing licences has been paid to a fisheries advocate to criticise a controversial report written by the National Parks Association of NSW (NPA).

NPA has labelled the ?review? paid for by the Advisory Council on Recreational Fishing (ACoRF) and written by Prof. Bob Kearney as ?fundamentally flawed? and ?agenda laden?. NPA?s report, The Torn Blue Fringe, included a literature review of marine conservation science and proposed that 20% of marine waters off NSW be protected as sanctuary zones.

Nicky Hammond, Marine Program Manager of NPA said, ?ACoRF is a pro fishing council, and Kearney is, without doubt, the most vocal scientist speaking out against marine park proposals in NSW. He is not a conservation biologist; he is a fisheries scientist and has represented the fishing industry professionally on committees. The outcome of any review conducted by Professor Kearney is a foregone conclusion.?

?It isn?t rocket science to figure out why ACoRF has paid Kearney to undertake this task instead of a marine parks scientist, an impartial scientist or a panel of scientists which represent the supportive majority, of which Kearney should be welcome to also sit on but as part of a more representative scientific group. Instead of spending the money of the NSW fishing community on objective analysis, ACoRF has commissioned a hatchet job.?

"NPA's marine park proposals are just that, proposals, ? continued Ms Hammond. ?Yet they are based upon solid evidence that marine parks and sanctuaries can increase marine biodiversity. Last year the NSW branch of the Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) released a consensus statement signed by 64 Australian marine scientists supporting the importance of marine parks and sanctuaries for NSW."

?More recently Associate Professor Bill Gladstone, President of AMSA NSW stated ?The enormous benefits of marine parks and no-take sanctuary zones for marine life and coastal communities have been demonstrated in scores of scientific studies from Australia and overseas. There is no reason to delay any longer the establishment of a comprehensive state-wide system of marine parks for NSW. ? "
?Whilst marine park scientists were available to review the document, ACoRF turned a blind eye to their offers of support,? continued Ms Hammond. ?Their review had a hidden agenda from the outset and NPA believes it therefore holds no merit as a review of our proposal.?

To download a copy of The Torn Blue Fringe report please visit www.marine.org.au

Contact details:
Media contact: Nicky Hammond 02 9299 0000

More info: http://www.marine.org.au

Return to Marine Program Media Index Page

[kingpro]

Here t'is
http://www.sportsfish.com.au/downloads/ACORF_Final_Report_19-03-09.pdf

[CEO]

      Thank you kindly Kingpro for your courtesy and thoughtfulness! The metropolitan based RFA (Not the Regional Forestry Alliance) advised us by emai ( Stan someone) we would only be able to access it from their website. We've never seen or heard of their website!They seem to think they own the document that was funded by recreational fishers licence fees, not just a handful of RFA supporters. We were told, because the ministers ACoRF and Trusts, are a virtual Club of RFA, this was typical powerplay behaviour by RFA. Their actions are highly devisive. (They talk unity but practise disunity, it seems. Why they see ECOfishers as a major threat to them, is mystifying to all.) So we have prepared a scintillating blister, about this ego centred power play, to the Minister. Kingpro, your actions have averted our ministerial complaint, for the time being. Thank you most sincerely. We weren't going to bother about getting it from the city based RFA. We work closely with Prof Kearney and we were to seek our copy frpm him. After all, we are tryiny to organize a debate between ECOfishers and the NPA. Kearney's critique will be very handy indeed. Thank you again for your efforts. CEO will be most grateful upon his return to the ECOfishers office.

[Malcolm Poole]

All,

As President of the RFA of NSW I just wish to put some facts into this posting. The Kearney Report was commissioned by ACoRF and has been a PUBLIC DOCUMENT since the evening of Thursday the 19th March 2009, indeed several other fishing web sites and forums have already published links to it as noted in Kingpro's posting.

RFA has never had any role in the commissioning, preparation or distribution of Kearney?s report and has never had any access to it apart from the same access that every ACoRF or Trust committee member has had when it was made public on 19 March. We have never indicated to your CEO or anyone else that the RFA somehow had exclusive access to this document or any exclusive role in its distribution.

Like a number of other organizations and forums, we have published a link to it on our website, www.rfansw.com.au , (a website that has been operating for several years) in the hope that as many people as possible will access it and read about items of interest.

Below is RFA's Press Release of the 13th March 2009, supporting these actions by NSW Recreational Fishers and the credentials of Professor Kearney, along with those that peer reviewed the paper.  This was in response to the NPA's press release of the 11th March 2009 which attacked the rights of free speech, and actions of recreational fishers in NSW.

PRESS RELEASE ? 13th March 2009 (for immediate use)

Anglers defend credentials of marine scientist
NSW anglers have defended the credentials and professionalism of Professor Bob Kearney, the marine scientist appointed to review the National Parks Association?s pro-marine parks ?Torn Blue Fringe? document released in December 2008.
 
The recreational fishers of New South Wales, using their licence funds, sought out the services of an expert in fisheries and environmental sciences, to critique the NPA's document.  One of the two stated objectives of that document was to critique commercial and recreational fisheries management in NSW.  The other objective was to ?document the state of marine conservation in NSW?, stated the Chairman of the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW, Mr Malcolm Poole.

Malcolm Poole goes on to say, ?Professor Bob Kearney's credentials are unquestionable, he has two doctorates in marine science, his professional positions include being the Director of Research at NSW Fisheries for nine years, Professor of Environmental Sciences and Head of the School of Resource Environmental and Heritage Sciences at the University of Canberra and Chairman of the Board of the WorldFish Center.  He has also been awarded the Order of Australia for services to Australian and international fisheries research and management?.

Professor Kearney?s review was only completed on the 12th March 2009 at 4pm, after being peer reviewed by several top scientists, including Australia's pre-eminent expert on Marine Protected Areas, and has not being publicly released as yet."  It is indicative of the fear that the National Parks Association holds for serious review of their statements that they release a completely unjustified personal attack on the author of a report they have not even seen.  This is totally unprofessional behaviour.

The two main reasons why recreational fishers have taken the action to commission Professor Kearney to provide a review, are;
1.   to obtain authoritative comment on the critique of NSW recreational fisheries management provided by the National Parks Association
2.   to obtain assessment of the science that has been claimed to support the exclusion of recreational fishers from great areas of NSW coastal waters

Recreational fishers will provide additional comment on the critically important conservation of NSW coastal ecosystems and the sustainable management of recreational fishing after they have had a chance to see Professor Kearney?s report.

Contacts: Chairman Malcolm Poole 0403 125 766 or Secretary Stan Konstantaras 0407 131 714.
Once the report is made public, it will be available for download from the front page of our web site at www.rfansw.com.au .

[Malcolm Poole]

All,

Sorry there are two strings on this topic, here and under Marine Parks, so I have posrted here as well, you may wish to read the other post to understand the context of this response!

Malcolm

As President of the RFA of NSW I just wish to put some facts into the posting under the Marine Parks section. The Kearney Report was commissioned by ACoRF and has been a PUBLIC DOCUMENT since the evening of Thursday the 19th March 2009, indeed several other fishing web sites and forums have already published links to it as noted in Kingpro's posting.

RFA has never had any role in the commissioning, preparation or distribution of Kearney?s report and has never had any access to it apart from the same access that every ACoRF or Trust committee member has had when it was made public on 19 March. We have never indicated to your CEO or anyone else that the RFA somehow had exclusive access to this document or any exclusive role in its distribution.

Like a number of other organizations and forums, we have published a link to it on our website, www.rfansw.com.au , (a website that has been operating for several years) in the hope that as many people as possible will access it and read about items of interest.

Below is RFA's Press Release of the 13th March 2009, supporting these actions by NSW Recreational Fishers and the credentials of Professor Kearney, along with those that peer reviewed the paper.  This was in response to the NPA's press release of the 11th March 2009 which attacked the rights of free speech, and actions of recreational fishers in NSW.

PRESS RELEASE ? 13th March 2009 (for immediate use)

Anglers defend credentials of marine scientist
NSW anglers have defended the credentials and professionalism of Professor Bob Kearney, the marine scientist appointed to review the National Parks Association?s pro-marine parks ?Torn Blue Fringe? document released in December 2008.
 
The recreational fishers of New South Wales, using their licence funds, sought out the services of an expert in fisheries and environmental sciences, to critique the NPA's document.  One of the two stated objectives of that document was to critique commercial and recreational fisheries management in NSW.  The other objective was to ?document the state of marine conservation in NSW?, stated the Chairman of the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW, Mr Malcolm Poole.

Malcolm Poole goes on to say, ?Professor Bob Kearney's credentials are unquestionable, he has two doctorates in marine science, his professional positions include being the Director of Research at NSW Fisheries for nine years, Professor of Environmental Sciences and Head of the School of Resource Environmental and Heritage Sciences at the University of Canberra and Chairman of the Board of the WorldFish Center.  He has also been awarded the Order of Australia for services to Australian and international fisheries research and management?.

Professor Kearney?s review was only completed on the 12th March 2009 at 4pm, after being peer reviewed by several top scientists, including Australia's pre-eminent expert on Marine Protected Areas, and has not being publicly released as yet."  It is indicative of the fear that the National Parks Association holds for serious review of their statements that they release a completely unjustified personal attack on the author of a report they have not even seen.  This is totally unprofessional behaviour.

The two main reasons why recreational fishers have taken the action to commission Professor Kearney to provide a review, are;
1.   to obtain authoritative comment on the critique of NSW recreational fisheries management provided by the National Parks Association
2.   to obtain assessment of the science that has been claimed to support the exclusion of recreational fishers from great areas of NSW coastal waters

Recreational fishers will provide additional comment on the critically important conservation of NSW coastal ecosystems and the sustainable management of recreational fishing after they have had a chance to see Professor Kearney?s report.

Contacts: Chairman Malcolm Poole 0403 125 766 or Secretary Stan Konstantaras 0407 131 714.
Once the report is made public, it will be available for download from the front page of our web site at www.rfansw.com.au .

[Spiney]

      Thank you kindly Kingpro for your courtesy and thoughtfulness! The metropolitan based RFA (Not the Regional Forestry Alliance) advised us by emai ( Stan someone) we would only be able to access it from their website. We've never seen or heard of their website!

I am a bit confused ,  the CEO (plural) that contributes to this column is not the CEO of Ecofishers, right?  but is obviously 'in the know'. How come CEO does not know Stan someone? Does not know the RFA website? and then talks of disunity. C'mon guys leave your petty bickering out of this forum and get on with the sterling job you are all doing.

[row]

Spot on spiney, get over your egos and stop picking at eachother and get on with the job, it's this silly bickering that turns people away from this site, if you blokes put as much energy into attacking the NPA we'd be so much better off.
Apart from that, although I have not yet completed reading the Kearney report, I'm not far off and it is has become blatantly obvious that the NPA is not a conservation organization, but rather just an offshoot of PETA, and do not reallly care about the real causes of threats to the marine biodiversity, they are simply anti-fishing, we need to use this in our efforts to become recognised as the first real fisheries conservation group in the country, advocating real solutions to real problems, by educating the community we can achieve this and be rid of silly preservationists such as the NPA.

[row]

Perhaps a moderator can meld the two posts into one.

I have not yet completed reading the Kearney report, I'm not far off and it is has become blatantly obvious that the NPA is not a conservation organization, but rather just an offshoot of PETA, and do not reallly care about the real causes of threats to the marine biodiversity, they are simply anti-fishing, we need to use this in our efforts to become recognised as the first real fisheries conservation group in the country, advocating real solutions to real problems, by educating the community we can achieve this and be rid of silly preservationists such as the NPA.

[Nete-Quette]

Perhaps a moderator can meld the two posts into one.

Done

[Malcolm Poole]

Nete-Quette

Thanks for that, could I suggest you post a redirect 'go here' comment on the other post so we keep everyone informed.

As for the other posts here I can agree with some comments, we are all rec fishers and striving for the same things, be it access, unity, common sense, or solutions to issues.

RFA is always at any table and we can always be contacted.   

[CEO]

   Then why is RFA the only group not interested in attending the ECOfishers Unity Summit? Another email from a Stan someone, has already declined our invitation. Consequently, their seat at the table has been re-allocated. We have even had enquiries from interstate, to attend our Unity Summit. That's how important it is to recreational fishers.

[CEO]

.

[Malcolm Poole]

CEO and All post followers,

This will be RFA's last post on this matter as we feel this is not right. All we wish to do is put things straight and get on with the job at hand which is protecting recreational fishing rights.

Would you please re read the RFANSW letter from Stan KONSTANTARAS (that's the Stan somone), his name is on the RFA letter that you posted.

RFA's position on attending the Unity meeting was left open, as it clearly states, depending on further communications back from Ecofishers as to who will be in attendance etc?

These were simple questions, were asked in numerous emails whilst assisting, yes RFA was assisting the CEO formulate an attendee's list, it was to clarify Ecofishers Unity Meeting guidelines of who could/would or would not be allowed to attend etc. as posted below.

It was Ecofishers decision to reallocated the RFANSW seat as you state, cutting RFANSW out of the unity meeting, so please keep to the facts and the truth, if you want unity then communicate it, by any and all means with out the negativity.

RFA will always be at the table, we have sent to the CEO many RFA brochures in the past, we have included the CEO in our new electronic newsletter 'NSW Recfisher' , here is the link for anyone else who may wish to read and subscribe https://promo-manager.server-secure.com/em/message/email/view.php?id=100264&u=1000983 ' so I am positive RFA is at the table.

My details are below, just in case they have been misplaced, or for anyone else to call and discuss what RFANSW is all about, as I don?t hide behind any alias names.

The unanswered questions from those emails.

Could you please advise the following for this Unity Meeting:

1          Who are Ecofishers Directors? I have presumed they will all be attending!
2          What if a person has ?two hats? as they say? e.g. in a fishing organisation and on a non elected government committee, or part of rejected nominee category.
3          Funding and a budget is an issue to discuss and think about for the battle ahead?


Regards,

Malcolm Poole
Chairman
Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW
9 Walmsley Road
Ourimbah NSW 2258
Ph: (02) 4362 1687
Fax: (02) 4362 1387
Mob: 0403 125 766
Web site www.rfansw.com.au
Skype Contact: Malcolm Poole (Australia)