|
Fish certainly respond to being hooked, but is that a reaction to pain, or simply an instinct to escape danger?
|
|
|
If I believed that fishing was “cruel”, I wouldn’t do it. Simple as that. But, based on the best evidence currently available, I don’t accept that assertion.
|
|
|
|
Is fishing cruel? That question invariably opens a can of worms, and it’s an issue that’s especially newsworthy at the moment, in light of proposed changes to animal welfare laws in NSW.
There’s been lots of talk in both mainstream and social media over recent years concerning relatively new “science” that supposedly points to the “sentience” or self-awareness, consciousness and pain perceptions of fish and other aquatic creatures. However, we need to be really careful about accepting these claims at face value.
|
|
|
With one busted-off lure already in its mouth, this barra didn’t hesitate in hitting a second lure.
Such stories are common.
|
|
|
In assessing your own position on this thorny issue, it’s worth remembering that there’s good and not-so-good science out there… something we should all realise in this era of pandemics, climate change and other important areas where the waters are frequently muddied by conflicting viewpoints. The best advice I can offer is to keep your scepticism filter dialled up and, wherever possible, look for broad consensus among credible scientists whose work has been stringently peer-reviewed and can be replicated by others to achieve similar results. That’s what characterises “good science”, and separates it from the fanciful assertions of spin doctors, snake oil salesmen and those pushing political or philosophical agendas.
|
|
|
Despite scars on its flanks and a badly damaged mouth, this estuary perch has thrived.
It fought as hard as its unmarked brethren.
|
|
Most of the more robust science I’ve seen on the abilities of fish to experience, understand and remember pain in anything like the ways that we do seems pretty straightforward in its conclusions: Fish don’t and can’t experience pain in the same ways humans, primates or other mammals can. They’re simply not wired to do so. If you doubt that claim, I would strongly urge you to undertake your own research into the literature. But be warned: Fossick deeply enough in the darker recesses of the internet and you’ll eventually find so-called “science” supporting even the craziest of conspiracy theories: from a flat earth to guppies in a fish bowl being able to count as well as four year old children. Dig a little deeper, however, and you’ll mostly find that these more extreme “studies” are based on deeply-flawed, heavily-biased “research”, and that they’re often driven by those hidden agendas I mentioned earlier.
I’m greatly indebted to fisheries biologist, Dr Ben Diggles, for pointing me in the direction of the best and most current information on this admittedly complicated subject. Ben spends a lot of time working in this field — a considerable amount of it debunking the more outlandish and agenda-driven rubbish that too often bubbles to the surface of public discourse these days, and which is readily seized upon by those who choose — for a variety of reasons — to believe it. As he explains: “Contrary to recent claims in the media about ‘scientific consensus’ on the issue of pain in fishes, the issue remains scientifically highly controversial because of severe technical flaws in the ‘pro fish pain’ science and the publication of several studies that contradict the thesis that fish feel pain.”
|
|
|
Live-baiting is one aspect of our sport sure to come under increasing scrutiny. What are your thoughts?
|
|
Dr Diggles has written an extremely detailed submission in response to the current NSW Animal Welfare discussion paper. (You can view that discussion paper here, by the way, and find out how to register your own responses to it.) Ben is particularly concerned about the “Five Freedoms” concept contained within the current discussion paper. As he explains in his lengthy submission, this concept “was originally developed for terrestrial animals farmed in captivity… [and is therefore] invalid in a food chain consisting of wild animals, due to their need to eat each other in order for them not to go hungry and for the ecosystem to function.”
Dr Diggles is especially leery of people who anthropomorphically project their human feelings and emotions onto wild animals. As he explains: “feelings based welfare concepts such as the ‘Five Freedoms’ developed for domesticated animals are fundamentally and fatally flawed when applied to environmentally critical natural processes such as predation and natural selection that underpin the basic function and integrity of natural aquatic ecosystems.”
|
|
|
Fish intended to be eaten should be killed promptly and humanely and the catch well cared for.
|
|
Critically, Dr Diggles concludes his submission by stating: “this does not mean that I am advocating that fish or crustaceans or cephalopods should be used (or abused) carelessly or indiscriminately. But it is important that the quality of any scientific research that may influence regulatory decisions that constrain research, food production or wild catch fisheries should be maintained to a very high standard.”
I strongly agree with Ben on that. I also believe we share a responsibility to treat fish and other creatures ethically and, dare I say it, “humanely” — even if only for our own peace of mind, and to maintain the ongoing support and approval or “social licence” of the broader, non-fishing community, who don’t necessarily understand the complex nuances of the “fish feel pain” debate.
Personally, while I can respect the opinions of those who argue that fishing is cruel, I don’t happen to agree with them. Nor, at this point, from what I’ve been able to discover, does the broad consensus of sound, robust science. If I believed that fishing was “cruel”, I wouldn’t do it. Simple as that. But, based on the best evidence currently available, I don’t accept that assertion. My personal observations across half a century, the anecdotal observations of so many other fishers, and the best current science all support my stance.
|
|
|
Correct fish-handling is more important than ever, especially if we’re choosing to release some fish.
|
|
That said, this issue isn’t going away any time soon. In fact, I suspect it will come up with increasing regularity in the future. As recreational fishers, we need a well-thought-out, rational, science-based counter-argument. That does not mean abusing, bullying or “trolling” those who hold opposing opinions to our own, nor ridiculing their beliefs and value systems. Such ad hominem attacks — in other words, playing the man (or woman) rather than the ball — are totally counterproductive, and only serve to cast us in an extremely bad light in the eyes of the undecided public majority. Making personal attacks on people whose opinions differ from ours is never a smart way to win an argument… Least of all one as important as this!
It’s also crucial that we have our own ducks very much in a row in terms of ethical, conscionable behaviour towards the creatures we interact with in the pursuit of our passionate pastime; be they the fish and other organisms we actively target, the baits we use in the process, or the other animals we encounter while on and around the water. In all honesty, I look back on some of the things I did (or accepted from other anglers) 20 and 30 years ago and cringe at times. Public perceptions evolve, and we ignore those societal changes at the peril of our sport. More than at any time in the past, we really need to lift our game, clean up our act and be willing to engage in reasoned debate with those who would question our right to fish. Because unless we do so, we will increasingly find that right to fish coming under attack.
Tight Lines.
|
|
|
----- > SCROLL DOWN! There’s much more below.
|
|
|
Rec’ Fishing Needs More Women!
|
|
|
Women’s fishing is going through a BOOM! And not before time. In an era when the participation rates of males has been on a plateau for decades, our favourite pastime needs this boost!
We’ve actually done alright out of this Covid debacle. States that have recreational fishing licences or permits are reporting an increase in numbers as folks look locally for holiday fun... and that uptick has been noted in tackle sales as well. Our sector is doing its bit for the economy, as usual.
The growth in numbers is sure to reflect a proportion of fishers who’d been out of the game for a while, but there’s also sure to be a good percentage of newcomers.
Being a newcomer to recreational fishing is quite daunting for a mature woman — take it from me! I didn't seriously take up the rod until I was in my thirties. Not for want of trying, mind you... it just took me that long to find compatible teachers.
Besides compatibility issues, there are a number of other “barriers to entry”. Jargon, a plethora of specialised tackle, embarrassment over a lack of skills in public... it really is very easy to simply say "no thanks".
Just imagine how much stronger our sector could be if we removed those barriers and made picking up the rod easy and enjoyable! That very vision has inspired the formation of the Women’s Recreational Fishing League.
|
|
|
As soon at the WRFL has raised enough to launch their website, they’ll begin work on their waiting projects.
|
|
The Women’s Recreational Fishing League (WRFL) is a not-for-profit incorporated association with lofty aspirations for female fishers across Australia. Its stated objectives are to:
- Increase female participation in recreational fishing
- Educate influencers and thought leaders (mothers, wives, future mentors) about habitat, conservation and sustainable fishing practices
- Develop Future Leaders amongst female anglers
The WRFL aims to provide an enjoyable, gender-relevant pathway for women to take up fishing as a pastime/sport (or build upon already attained skills) in a non-threatening environment, making “beginning” as a fisher more appealing. The fun and empowering ethos promises to tap into a pool of potential fishers who may otherwise never pick up a rod.
At the beginning of this article, I asserted that recreational fishing needs more women. Let me explain why... Growing female participation is important for two reasons: it’s under-developed, providing enormous growth potential and thus strengthening our lobbying power; and they are thought leaders for the young. WRFL will empower women to not only fish themselves, but mentor children into the pastime with a mindset of sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Aside from the obvious benefits to the women themselves, there’ll be the additional upshot of stronger family fishing cultures, along with increased enjoyment for couples who fish together. It is expected that empowered and capable female fishers will be more supportive of their fishing partners, too… thereby providing even greater opportunity for everyone to hit the water, without that age old issue of “getting a leave-pass from the non-fishing missus”.
Recreational Fishing will, in the long term, benefit from increased participation, a greater proportion of educated and sustainability-minded participants and the on-going development of female leaders in the rec’ fishing sector. WINNING!
|
|
|
Our Mission
To provide a safe and inspirational women’s recreational fishing organisation.
To increase the overall participation of women in our sport.
To provide recreational fishing skills training, support, camaraderie and mentorship for Australian women.
To increase the profile and recognition of women in recreational fishing.
To improve the social licence of recreational fishing in Australia through excellence and stewardship.
To develop future leaders in recreational fishing.
To foster an ethos of sustainability and habitat restoration that ensures a strong recreational fishing future.
To develop thought leaders who inspire future generations of Australian fishers.
|
|
|
|
The Women’s Recreational Fishing League seeks to formalise leadership pathways for women,
no matter where they see themselves benefitting the sector.
|
|
For now though, the League is in need of a leg-up. To launch, they need to build a platform. That takes the form of their preliminary website. YOU CAN HELP! The Women’s Recreational Fishing League is seeking donations and/or sponsorship for their website and the development of their own ongoing, online tournament app.
Since launching their donation page, they've secured sponsored website hosting by Seicon Consulting in southern NSW, and I'm sponsoring the website design through Jo Starling Creative. Let's hope that we can share a look at the preliminary website in our next Fishotopian!
|
|
I hope you’ll consider joining us in building the platform to launch this association. It's the legacy I personally want to leave behind for recreational fishers, and I look forward to the day when all the barriers are eliminated and recreational fishing is as common amongst women as men. It's only a generation or two away, but I don't want to wait that long ;)
In the meantime, FISH ON!
|
|
|
Even the smallest donation helps build the foundations of the Womens Recreational Fishing League.
... and YES, that button up there works!
|
|
|
As we were finalising this newsletter, the latest stock assessment for mulloway (jewfish) in NSW waters was released, and it makes for very worrying reading indeed. The stock has been re-assessed from OVERFISHED to DEPLETED, with best estimates showing that less than 20% of the un-fished biomass of mulloway remain in NSW waters (probably a lot less). Clearly, some serious action is required... and fast.
We’ll be looking at this situation in depth in our next newsletter,
but meanwhile you can read the latest Status Summary here.
|
|
YIBBIDA YIBBIDA, REX GOES DUTCH (PART 2) !
We all know how immensely popular the Rex Hunt TV show was in Australia right through the 1990s and into the new millennium. What you might not have realised, however, was how huge it became around the globe! Aired in more than 160 countries and translated or subtitled into dozens of language’s, Rex’s benchmark program was an international smash hit that did wonders to promote Australia and its fishing to the world… Nowhere more so than in the Netherlands!
|
|
To this day, Rex, Starlo and Bushy remain well-recognised figures throughout the Dutch angling world… So much so that acclaimed Dutch fishing journalist (and keen member of our very own Inner Circle), Jeroen Schoondergang, was recently commissioned to write a major, two-part feature for a leading European fishing magazine, bringing readers up to speed on the lives and times of those three popular Aussie TV presenters in the years since the show ended.
|
|
|
|
Jeroen has kindly shared the both parts of this double-header in “Zee Hengelsport” with us, and also provided an English translation. You can view the second instalment by clicking here (If you missed Part One, click here)… Yibbida Yibbida, that’s all folks!
|
|
TUNE IN TO THE HUB ON THURSDAYS!
As Covid pandemic lockdowns and travel restrictions affect more and more Australians through this current “wave” of the pandemic, we’re all looking for ways to maintain our sanity and fight off cabin fever. With this in mind, Starlo has joined forces with Rex Hunt and several other high profile fishing communicators to create “The Fishing Hub”.
|
|
The current aim of “The Fishing Hub” is to provide a regular source of fishing education, enlightenment and entertainment via YouTube for those of us stuck at home, or limited in our ability to hit the water. At the moment, this is taking the form of regular Thursday night “live streams” featuring a mix of old and new footage, tips and advice broadcast simultaneously on several YouTube channels including “Starlo Gets Reel” and “Rex Hunt Fishing Adventures”.
|
|
|
|
These live streams hit the airwaves each Thursday evening at 7.30PM (Australian Eastern Standard Time) and are available to view at any time thereafter on those same YouTube channels. Check them out, subscribe to the channels and remember to tune in this Thursday night… you can even chat and ask questions of Starlo and Rex “live”!
|
|
|
Tips like this can be found throughout the public area of Fishotopia.com
|
|
Master Aussie lure maker, Ray Broughton, has kindly put up one of his deadly, timber-bodied, 3-piece, 200mm Splasher surface lures every month between now and Christmas as a monthly prize in our latest photo comp!
Here’s how it works: Take the best photo you possibly can of one of Ray’s RTBroughton Lures and post it on your own Facebook or Instagram profile, with the hashtag #rtbroughtonlures. Be sure to tag both the RTBRoughton Lures and Starlo’s Fishotopia pages on Facebook (or @starlos_fishotopia on Insta’) in the post so we see it, and at the end of each month, Starlo will pick his favourite image. The person who posted that shot will score themselves a terrific 200mm Splasher valued at $69 — one of the best XOS Murray cod lures on the market!
|
|
|
August’s winner was Tom Keatley
with this snap of a lovely bass on one of Ray’s little Shimmeys.
We know how hard it is to get decent photos when you’re on your own in a kayak, and we love the lively dynamism of this “net in the lap” shot. So, well done, Tom, and your mega Splasher surface lure will be on its way to you very soon!
Remember to think outside the square on this one! While lure-in-fish-mouth images are obvious contenders, they don’t represent the only possibility.
Let your creativity off the leash and see what you can come up with…
maybe something like this lovely shot from Jo!
|
|
STRAIGHT TO THE POOL ROOM!
|
|
|
|
Now, you can have the glory of your trophy catch on your wall AND the great feeling of releasing it at the same time! Simply upload a quality photo of your legendary catch through to Trophy Fish Portraits, select your preferences and let them create the ultimate piece of life-size memorabilia for you!
You’ll find tips on how to capture that quality pic too, all there on the website.
And how’s this? Members of Fishotopia’s Inner Circle receive a 10% discount!
Simply reach out to John Willoughby via our Private Messaging function,
send him a friend request and start working with him on your order!
After all, that’s what our network is for. Thanks, John!
For more information about this exciting new product, click on the logo below.
|
|
JUMP ON THE INNER CIRCLE!
|
|
|
As the members of our Inner Circle know only too well, we’ve suffered some serious technical glitches on the subscription site across the past few months. Happily, we're finally getting on top of these issues and the site is already working much better. This situation should only continue to improve as we fine tune things further. So, if you’ve been thinking about signing up, but holding back, we can once again encourage you to jump on board and join us in the Inner Circle! And to make that offer even more attractive, if you’re really quick, you still have a chance to secure one of these limited edition RTBroughton Lures in the unique Fishotopia Blue colour!
Click here to find out how. |
|
Tight Lines Magazine
Tight Lines Magazines are unlike any fishing magazine you’ve seen before. They each feature one super-sized exposé on one topic, drilling as deeply into the how-to’s and species knowledge as possible, ensuring you become the best angler you can be.
|
|
BAFFLE CREEK FAMILY FISHING FESTIVAL
Annual "Catch, Snap & Release" fishing comp for all ages.
Baffle Creek is located roughly halfway between Bundaberg and Gladstone and is one of the last untouched pristine creek systems in south-east Queensland.
Monday 20 – Saturday 25 September
Find out more!
GONE FISHING DAY
Our favourite “day” is rolling around quicker than ever and this year — to make sure everyone has as much chance as possible to participate — it’s going ONLINE with plenty of prizes for everyone, including folks who can’t get to local events. Make sure you’ve popped it in your calendar! Find out more here.
GREAT LAKE TIE-IN
Saturday, 16 October
Find out more... Click to go to Facebook Group now!
ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL FLY FISHING EXPO
Fly Fishers International (FFI) has transformed its annual International Fly Fishing Expo into a virtual event for 2021, completely reimagining how fishing enthusiasts from around the world can enjoy the Expo from the comfort of their own home.
5-7 November
Check it out!
AgSpirit RETREAT FOR WOMEN
AgSpirit and The Fly Program are delighted to announce a further enhancement to the ongoing Bayer Big Fish Challenge (BBFC) program, with the launch of the AgSpirit Retreat for Women. Just like their male counterparts, many rural women are doing it tough, so the BBFC is committing an additional $15,000 in 2021 for an AgSpirit Retreat to support women’s mental wellbeing. If you know of a rural woman in need, you can nominate her now for this November retreat.
Find out more by emailing info@bayerbigfish.com or, if you’re already part of the BBFC, simply go to: https://bayerbigfish.com/Nomination/
November 2021: exact dates TBC
ONKASTOMPA FISHING COMP 2021
Onkaparinga River, Noarlunga Downs, South Australia.
Sunday, 7 November
Raising money for the Childhood Cancer Association. Find out more!
|
|
“Spooled” is a fantastic on-line fishing publication that’s available to all readers completely FREE! The latest issue is live now at this link and is packed with articles, reviews, info’ on the latest gear, along with some cracking imagery & embedded video.
It also contains a major feature from Starlo about the role of anglers as genuine conservationists and environmentalists: something he feels very passionate about. You can also read past issues on the Spooled website at any time.
|
|
|
|
You may have noticed that Mako Oil have been advertising with us here in the newsletter and on Fishotopia.com since day one. We really appreciate their wonderful support… but we appreciate the amazing product they produce even more!
Steve was first introduced to Mako Oil back in his days as a TV presenter for “The Offroad Adventure Show” and he quickly became a “believer”. Mako Oil now plays a vital role in all of our tackle and gear maintenance regimes, as well as many other jobs around home, and we absolutely swear by the stuff. We particularly like the fact that it seems to have no adverse impacts whatsoever on fishing lines, and that its fish-based formula means it doesn’t turn fish off biting, even if sprayed directly onto hooks, sinkers and lures… in fact, it might even attract them!
You can watch Starlo’s video explainer about Mako Oil and its many uses by clicking the play button above, or cut to the chase and view a shorter, how-to clip describing our regular after-trip tackle maintenance routine here.
|
|
|
Have You Checked In On Your Aussie Anglers Almanac Today?
|
|
WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADVERTISE IN THIS NEWSLETTER?
Our readers are enthusiastic, thinking anglers from all over the country.
If you have a product or service that benefits them, let’s tell them about it! Advertising spaces are limited.
CLICK FOR MEDIA KIT & MORE INFORMATION |
|
|
|
|
|
Until we see you in Fishotopia...
Tight Lines!
|
|
|
|
|
