FEDERAL FISHERIES MINISTER MEETS WITH ECOfishers. 8/11/07.

About 30 representatives of Tweed Valley and Northern Rivers recreational fishers, were invited to meet with Federal Fisheries Minister, Eric Abetz, on the Tweed today.
ECOfishers Treasurer Merv Mcfie, was asked by the Minister, to organize the meeting for recreational fishers.
In a frank, open and productive public forum, recreational fishers discussed their issues and concerns with the Minister. Top of the list was a scientific presentation from ECOfishers NSW CEO, Ken Thurlow, concerning Commonwealth Marine Reserves and the Grey Nurse shark. ECOfishers Ken Thurlow sought a committment from the Minister, for him to liaise with his federal colleague, Malcolm Turnbull, (Minister for Environment & Water) seeking a moratorium on the closure of any further federal Grey Nurse shark sites, pending the outcome of current federal scientific investigation into the population dynamics etc, of the Grey Nurse.
Secondly, ECOfishers sought, pelagic fishing access, for recreational fishers, during daylight hours, under the Management Plan for the Commonwealth Marine Reserve, at the Cod Grounds off Laurieton NSW. Minister Abetz agreed. He announced, that where the scientific evidence supported ECOfishers case, he could see no reason why pelagic fishing should be prohibited. There would be no impact whatsoever on the Grey Nurse shark. He undertook to take these issues up, on behalf of ECOfishers, the voice of NSW recreational fishers, with his federal colleagues.
OTHER TOPICS DISCUSSED WITH THE MINISTER INCLUDED:
1) Further Commonwealth funding for recreational fishing initiatives and a roll-over of the funding (if necessary) for the Byron Bay Artificial Reef Program. Minister Abetz confirmed that another $100 million would be available immediately, for recreational fishers, through community grants, upon re-election.
2) Recfish Australia. It was pointed out to the Minister, in no uncertain terms, that Recfish did not represent NSW recreational fishers, and could make no such claim. The Minister understood.
3) NSW ACoRF (the NSW minister's expert appointed committee) copped a real hammering from fishers from the floor.
4) NSW Marine Parks. The Minister recognised they were "political parks," and not scientifically based. And the NSW MPA's consultative process was meaningless.
5) Indigenous land rights, fishing rights, and access to these sites.
It was refreshing to meet with a Minister who knew what he was talking about, was genuinely concerned about the issues and wanted to work more closely with ECOfishers NSW. He is prepared to listen and act on behalf of recreational fishers on federal issues. (He already has a healthy track record among NSW recreational fishers.) A lot of the fishers have had previous experiences in dealing with NSW ministers and especially the Marine Park Authority. The common consensus was, "Boy, give us Eric Abetz any day. He knows what he is talking about and is prepared to listen and then act." It was obvious from the reaction that NSW pollies and MPA bureaucrats are light years behind the Feds, in dealing with recreational fishers concerns.
So I suppose it is a question of values isn't it? Who values the contributions of recreational fishers in determining their future? And sadly it is not the NSW Labor government. They still treat us like second class citizens, prefering the radical ideology of the extreme Greens over and above the genuine and scientifically based concerns of recreational fishing families.
As one ex-commercial fisher remarked, as he left the meeting with a broad grin on his face, "I represented the commercial industry for years with NSW pollies and I always came away crankier than I arrived. Today I met a federal pollie, who is a real gentleman, kows what he is talking about and is prepared to act for recreational fishers. I ain't cranky at all. I'm smiling!"
Minister Abetz is in the south coast town of Eden tomorrow, the site of one of the next NSW Marine Parks.
PS. No one from the minister's committee of experts (ACoRF) was there to represent you. ECOfishers was!!! CEO.