Survey of recreational fishing in NSW
Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson has announced the NSW Government will commence a statewide survey to obtain up-to-date information on recreational fishing in NSW.

Ms Hodgkinson said the comprehensive 12 month survey is being undertaken to ensure the State’s valuable fisheries resources continue to be managed on a sustainable basis.

“The NSW Government’s survey aims to measure how many people go fishing, where they fish and what they catch.”

Up to 20,000 households will be randomly contacted in the next few weeks to determine the participation rate of fishing in NSW.

Householders who report an intention to fish in the coming 12 months will be invited to participate by keeping a fishing diary for one year.  Approximately 6,000 recreational fishermen are expected to complete the diary survey.

“The success of the survey relies heavily on the co-operation of the recreational fishing community so I urge those invited to participate,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

“It doesn’t matter if you fish regularly or only occasionally, the information collected will be valuable in providing a sustainable recreational fishery into the future.

“All survey phases will be conducted on a completely voluntary and confidential basis by a widely respected company that has recently completed recreational fishing surveys in Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory.”

“This is the first comprehensive survey in NSW since the National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey (NRIFS) in 2000-01.

“The NRIFS provided an important benchmark in the assessment of recreational fishing in NSW and showed recreational fishing is an important activity in terms of social and economic benefits to the community,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

The 2013-14 recreational fishing survey is being funded by the Recreational Fishing Trust. Minutes of the meeting of the Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust Expenditure committee on 2 May 2013 at reveal the cost of the survey: "Statewide survey of recreational fishing in NSW – implementation of a statewide phone/diary survey of recreational fishing in NSW.
... $1,435,000"

For further information visit the website.

Project Blueprint public consultations
Surf Life Saving New South Wales, through its Australian CoastSafe arm, is undertaking Project Blueprint, a state-wide drowning prevention project. This program will assess every coastal beach and rock platform in New South Wales. The outcomes will include evidence based drowning prevention recommendations to stakeholders and government.

Phase 1 of the project includes the top 10 Local Government Areas based on drowning numbers over the last 7 years.

Program dates are:
Wollongong
Tuesday, 2nd April
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Continental Pool

Sutherland
Wednesday, 3rd April
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
North Cronulla SLSC
 
Randwick
Thursday, 4th April
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
South Maroubra SLSC
 
Ballina
Saturday, 6th April
9:00 am - 10:30 am
Kentwell Community Centre
 
Byron
Saturday, 6th April
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Byron SLSC
 
Tweed
Saturday, 6th April
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Cudgen Headland SLSC
 
Gosford
Tuesday, 23rd April
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Avoca SLSC
 
Wyong
Wednesday, 24th April
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Shelly Beach SLSC

Consultation with council, stakeholder groups and the general public is via:
• Giving feedback on coastal hazard/risk issues in the Waverly LGA in writing to lstigter@coastsafe.org.au
• Attendance at the public forum (Bondi SBLSC) on Wednesday 13th March, from 6:30pm
• Completion of the online surveys at this link.
• A 1:1 meeting at a time/location to be determined (if you are interested)

For more information about the project please visit www.coastsafe.org.au/blueprint or contact Luke Stigter at lstigter@coastsafe.org.au.

RFA NSW members out and about
In between lots of paperwork the RFA does manage to to go fishing...Secretary Stan, his brother and friends:



Win one of 24 free life jackets from the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW
Enter the RFA's Rock Fishing Safety Life Jacket Competition and win one of our 24 free life jackets! There's still 12 left.

We've drawn the lifejacket winners for February: Kalvin Bisetto from Gosford and Tommy Kwok from Gladesville. We'll be in touch to get their life jackets mailed out this week.

The Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW is giving away two lifejackets every month for 12 months until August 2013. Enter on the RFA's Safe Fishing website at www.safefishing.com.au

Marine Estate Management Authority to replace NSW Marine Parks Authority
Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson and Minister for the Environment Robyn Parker have announced changes to the management of the NSW marine estate following the recommendations of the Independent Scientific Audit of Marine Parks.

Changes include:

• Establishing two new advisory bodies, the Marine Estate Management Authority, to replace the existing Marine Parks Authority, and the Marine Estate Expert Knowledge Panel;
• Effective immediately there will be an amnesty allowing line fishing from ocean beaches and headlands in sanctuary zones with the exception of identified sites for the protection of threatened species. Spearfishing has NOT been exempted in the amnesty. All other recreational fishing restrictions including bag and size limits will apply. The Expert Knowledge Panel will undertake a six month assessment of recreational fishing access to these areas;
• Undertaking threat and risk assessments for the NSW marine estate; and
• Remaining committed to the moratorium on new marine parks, pending advice from the new Marine Estate Expert Knowledge Panel.

Associate Professor Bob Beeton, Chair of the Audit Panel, said the key recommendations for effective and sustainable management are captured in the Government’s response and will benefit recreational and commercial interests, marine biodiversity and the community.

The Marine Estate Management Authority will replace the Marine Parks Authority and will be informed by the work of the Expert Knowledge Panel, providing independent advice across ecology, economics, and social sciences.

“I am pleased to announce two eminent individuals to lead the respective organisations who have extensive experience in public administration, natural resource management and economics. The independent chair of the Authority is Dr Wendy Craik and the independent chair of the Expert Knowledge Panel is Dr Andrew Stoeckel,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

The Authority will convene its first meeting in the coming weeks. Expressions of interest for the remaining Expert Knowledge Panel positions are now open.

Jim Harnwell, Director of Keep Australia Fishing, said the changes offer federal Environment Minister Tony Burke an opportunity to revise his plans to lock anglers out of 1.3 million sq km of ocean.

“The NSW Government deserves plaudits for recognising that effective marine conservation involves more than just locking fishers out,” Harnwell said.

“The announcement that fishing bans on beach and headland sanctuary zones will be abolished under the NSW Government’s new marine estate plans is welcomed by all conservation-minded fishers.

“The fact is that recreational fishers support marine parks that protect what needs to be protected but which are flexible and take a common sense approach to issues of conservation, biodiversity and habitat.

“For too long the marine parks debate has been dominated by extremists who want to lock everything up. That’s an ‘old school’ way of looking at marine conservation and it just doesn’t gel these days.”

“We need more creative ways to protect and enhance the marine environment. The green groups have been pushing the same old lock it up idea for decades. In NSW that thinking has changed. Hopefully as a result of the NSW decision we’ll now see similar changes federally and in other states and territories.”

Harnwell said while Keep Australia Fishing applauded the decision in NSW to re-allow sustainable recreational fishing in certain sanctuary zone areas, it wanted more information on why spearfishing bans in these areas would continue.

“While we think the spearos are more than likely being unfairly treated, on the whole we support NSW’s marine estate initiatives and we look forward to working with the Government to create a healthy, sustainable and accessible marine environment, now and into the future.”

Helicopter Rescue Base Open Day


ANSA NSW and RFA of NSW attended a Helicopter Rescue Base Open Day at Cape Banks in Sydney on 24 March which saw thousands of people interact with the rescue services and the Safefishing and Angel Ring project.

It was a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together to meet the heroic people behind each service, participate in a range of interactive activities and demonstrations and learn more about the fishing safety.

Tony Steiner from ANSA NSW said  he "was run off my feet all day looking after the waves of people coming through but it was  enjoyable and rewarding".

If you have a community event you would like us to to try and attend with our Safefishing trailer contact the RFA by info@rfansw.com.au and we will see what we can fit in.

RFA and ANSA at Children's Festival


Close to 1500 families attended a Children's Festival hosted by Marrickville West Public School on 23 March. RFA NSW / ANSA NSW were on hand with the Fishcare Volunteers to talk about fishing safety and conduct fun activities like casting at Angel Rings to win lifejackets and other prizes. Overall it was a fun and festive day where the safe fishing message was promoted to the children to take home to their parents.

RFA of NSW meeting with Minister for Primary Industries
A small delegation led by RFA of NSW president Malcolm Poole and Secretary Stan Konstantaras met with Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson, her advisers and senior NSW Fisheries directors at Parliament House on 26 March.

Issues discussed included the recently announced Marine Estate Management Authority, the status of advisory councils and the Recreational Fishing Trusts, licence fees, current NSW Fisheries surveys, angling access issues (both coastal and inland) and the balance between recreational and commercial exploitation of the fishery.

The Minister told us that on the same day as the meeting Fisheries was launching a survey of how funds raised from the NSW recreational fishing fee should be spent and how the NSW Government consults with anglers (see article elsewhere in this newsletter). Such a survey will presumably have some impact on the operations of the Advisory Council on Recreational Fishing and its Recreational Freshwater Fishing Expenditure Committee and Recreational Saltwater Fishing Expenditure Committee. That survey started to roll out to anglers just hours after our meeting.

We were particularly pleased to hear that the Marine Estates Management Authority is aiming to make very rapid progress and consult widely with stakeholders, and that Fisheries was very sensitive to angler concerns about Crown road conversions and their effect on freshwater access. On the latter point we were told that Fisheries was working closely with Lands to ensure that concerns were being addressed and that arrangements are under way for consultation with anglers over the strategic directions of inland access.

The meeting was a valuable opportunity to meet the Minister and to open up communications with her advisers who undertook to take on board some of our immediate concerns.

Angel Ring saves a life at Merry Beach
Two men were fishing on rocks at Merry Beach just south of Ulladulla , when one of the men hooked a large fish. Police have been told that the 42 year old man walked to the edge of the rock platform in an attempt to reel the fish in, he fell into the water.

The man’s friend threw him an Angel Ring and contacted authorities. Police from Shoalhaven Local Area Command attended and the man was winched to safety by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. The man suffered only minor cuts and did not seek medical treatment, but this was another rescue chalked up to the Angel Ring Project.

And another at Red Rock...
Two men in a canoe were swept out to sea from a coastal river near Red Rock just north of Coffs Harbour on 17 March. Their canoe capsized but one of the men who could swim saw the Angel Ring on the headland, swams in, grabbed it and swam back out to rescue his mate and they floated to shore. His mate had a lung full of water and was taken to hospital but this marks the 51st confirmed rescue with an Angel Ring.

Local resident Marilyn Allan was the driving force behind the installation of three angel rings at Red Rock.
 
"The angel rings were installed in June 2006, about six months after the tragic drowning of a 24-year-old American exchange student and since then they have saved several lives," Mrs Allan said.

Ecology of Australian Freshwater Fishes
This new CSIRO publication reviews past and present understanding of the ecology of Australian freshwater fishes. It compares patterns and processes in Australia with those on other continents, discusses the local relevance of ecological models from the northern hemisphere and considers how best to manage our species and their habitats in the face of current and future threats.

The chapters are written by some of our foremost researchers and managers, developing themes that underpin our knowledge of the ecology, conservation and management of fish and fish habitats.

You can read more and order the book at http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/21/pid/6515.htm

Trout Angler Summit May 2013
Lake Crackenback Resort and Spa are holding a Trout Angler Summit May from 27 to 24 May 2013 with leading anglers such as Steve Starling, Peter Morse, Simon Zarifeh, Nick Taransky, Jo Starling and Matt Tripet.

Four days of fishing, socialising, catch-and-release competition, fly casting, leader and tippet clinics, hard and soft lure workshops, G-Loomis and Shimano fly rod and spin rod interactive demonstrations, a cane rod session with Nick Taransky and an awards dinner.

More info at http://www.lakecrackenback.com.au/whats-on/trout-angler-summit

Sea Sea Marine Sydney Sportfishing Tournament
The Sea Sea Marine Sydney Sportfishing Tournament celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year. This year the Tournament will be held on the 5th, 6th, 7th April 2013. The Tournament will once again be hosted at the South Sydney Amateur Fishermans Association grounds located at the Corner of Hastings Avenue and Macquarie Street, Chifley.

The Sea Sea Marine Sydney Sportfishing Tournament is the largest ANSA NSW affiliated tournament in NSW. Each year more than 200 competitors register to compete, while many more just come along for the atmosphere, good food and fun.

This year the Tournament is set up for both ANSA affiliated members and Non ANSA affiliated members. So come down and register on Thursday night 4th April 2013 from 7pm and find out what it means to be affiliated with the ANSA movement.

If you require further information ring Stan Konstantaras (0407 131 714) or Joe Garufi (0417 491 868)

Murray cod part of 'The Conversation'
Paul Humphries talks about this iconic species, and concludes:
"It is indeed an interesting situation where a species listed variously as critically endangered, threatened or vulnerable forms the basis of such a popular and economically important recreational fishery. But with proper fisheries management, community engagement and conservation, the future may be brighter for Murray cod than it has been for many decades."

Read more at http://theconversation.com/australian-endangered-species-murray-cod-12555

Survey on recreational fishing fee
NSW DPI is undertaking a survey to obtain feedback on how funds raised from the NSW recreational fishing fee should be spent and how the NSW Government consults with anglers. Your feedback will help DPI decide how to improve recreational fishing and fish stocks in NSW.

The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. Everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a draw for one of 30 quality fishing reels and you must answer by Monday the 20th of May 2013 to be eligible for the draw.

Surveys are being sent over the next couple of weeks to around 72,000 anglers who hold 1 and 3 year licences by a unique link. They expect that results will be collated into a report around June. The survey is similar to one done a few years ago but also includes questions on consultation, advisory councils/committees and representation.

The survey will provide valuable data for the next NSW recreational Fishing Trust Investment Plan 2013-2018 about how to improve recreational fishing in NSW. It will potentially affect how licensed anglers in NSW are engaged and represented in terms of Ministerial committees like ACoRF, the Recreational Fresh and Saltwater Expenditure Trust Committees, or even a peak representative body like those established in other states.

Shooters and Fishers Party looking at a Recreational Fishing Council
In the NSW Legislative Council this week Shooters and Fishers Party MLC Robert Brown requested leave to table a private member's bill for an Act to amend the Fisheries Management Act 1994 to establish a Recreational Fishing Council.

We understand that the bill may be in the process of being drafted but there is no set date for it to be tabled in the Legislative Council for reading. When that does occur, if it is supported it will be sent to the Legislative Assembly for consideration by the MPs of the Lower House.

GripRox
Bart from Griprox (their motto 'Leave a mark not a plaque') was on hand recently at some of our rock fishing safety workshops to help us push the safe fishing messages and promote GripRox rock fishing shoes. So we don't mind giving them a free plug...a great product that could save lives.

More info and stockists and online shopping at http://griprox.com.au/


Super trawler trial to start in June
A court case to fight the Federal Government’s ban on the Abel Tasman super trawler from operating in Australian waters is set to go to court for a three-day trial in the Federal Court of Australia starting June 25.

Seafish Tasmania wants the Federal Court to overturn the ban imposed by federal Environment Minister Tony Burke while an expert panel appointed by the government assesses the ship's impact on the environment.

Seafish Tasmania claims that Mr Burke was keen to ban the vessel and was searching for some way to justify his actions even though he had been advised that the risks of the ship’s impacts were already known and manageable.

In pre-trial proceedings before Federal Court judge Justice John Logan, the judge has warned the company's lawyers that their statement of claim risked breaking the Parliamentary Privilege Act, which emanates from the centuries-old Bill Of Rights. Under the Act, questions cannot be asked of ministers in court about their behaviour in Parliament.

He suggested he may strike out sections of the claim and warned that any allegation of the minister acting in bad faith was a "very particular and serious allegation to make".

Roger Derrington SC for Sea Fish Tasmania assured Justice Logan he would not question what the minister said in Parliament nor the minister's motivation and asked for leave to change the original statement of claim.

YouTube video helps RMS fine charter operator $1500
Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has fined a fishing charter operator $1500 for negligent navigation after an incident in January this year at the entrance to Bermagui Harbour.

“On 28 January, six passengers, two crew and the master were on a 13 metre fishing charter vessel when it was returning to Bermagui Harbour and was hit by a wave causing it to roll violently to one side,” RMS Manager Maritime Investigations Craig Purdon said today.

“This incident was captured by a person on shore who filmed it using his iPhone and then uploaded it to YouTube.

“One of the passengers involved alerted RMS to the incident and the YouTube video.

“RMS investigators used the YouTube footage, passenger statements and those from witnesses on shore to find the 55 year old master from Bermagui was negligent in his navigation of the vessel on 28 January and exposed his passengers to significant risk of harm.

“This was due to his failure to fully brief his passengers on safety when aboard. He also failed to fully assess the forecasted weather of four metre seas and dangerous surf conditions.

“The master was found to have failed to fully prepare his passengers for the trip and conditions of heightened risk as he had not asked them to wear lifejackets or muster on the open back deck.

“This is a timely reminder the master of any commercial vessel and the skipper of any recreational vessel is responsible for all on board.

“RMS has investigated 65 marine incidents so far this calendar year,” Mr Purdon said.

Marine Park Management Plans tabled in Federal Parliament
On 12 March the Federal government tabled the management plans for the Commonwealth Marine Reserve. With the exception of the South- East Marine Reserves Network management plan which comes into operation on 1 July 2013, the plans for the rest of the network do not take effect until 1 July 2014.

Environment Minister, Tony Burke, said "This is the culmination of an unprecedented public consultation process, with more than 250 meetings and almost three-quarters of a million submissions over the past four years on the new marine network and the science and planning that underpin it.

"The final management plans will give certainty to all operators, setting out how the reserves are to be managed and what activities can and cannot be undertaken.

Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation Managing Director Allan Hansard said, “We are not aware of any face-to-face consultation on the Management Plans that have been held with recreational fishing stakeholders who will be directly affected by the plans.

“We have also not been told why recreational fishers are locked out of large areas of the Marine Reserve Network. If these areas are so environmentally sensitive that mum, dad and the kids catching a fish will threaten the marine environment then why is the Government allowing divers, tourist operators, bulk carriers and even defence activities in these areas.

“The Federal Government owes Australia’s 5 million recreational fishers answers and they are not providing it.

The final management plans will now be legally registered and will be available online through www.environment.gov.au/marinereserves.

ANSA calls for “balance” on Commonwealth marine parks
The split between the Greens and the Government gives Labor the chance to restore balance to its Commonwealth marine park plans, says ANSA, the peak body representing Australian sportfishers.

“It is clear to us that the Greens had pressured Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to implement extremist lock out policies in the development of these marine park plans” John Burgess, Executive Officer of ANSA, said today.

“Now the Greens have walked away from their deal with the Government, we are expecting Mr Burke to restore balance to the issue by re-thinking the unjustified lock out of Australia’s 5 million recreational fishers from the proposed marine parks”.

“We are ready and willing to immediately engage with Mr Burke and his Department to help formulate proactive policies that will protect our fragile marine environment while also allowing sustainable recreational fishing to continue.”

Current marine park plans being considered by Mr Burke would see recreational fishers locked out of 1.3 million square kilometres of Australia’s oceans for no justifiable reason.

“If that goes ahead, the Gillard Government would be responsible for the biggest angler lock out in history,” Mr Burgess said.

“We find it hard to believe that a Labor Government would want to deprive hard-working Australians of the chance to enjoy wetting a line and catching a feed for their families. In fact, we suspect the lock out agenda of the current marine park plans was forced on the Government via the deal with the Greens.

“Now the Greens have broken that deal, we are hoping that Mr Burke will want to talk with us about designing less extremist policies.

ANSA said the split with the Greens presented the Government with the opportunity to show their true colours when it comes to dealing with Australian recreational fishers. “Do they want to alienate us by locking us out or do they want to work with us?”

“The fact is that recreational fishers are dedicated to marine conservation. We just don’t want to be locked out for no good reason. Hopefully Mr Burke will now want to work with us to achieve balanced and effective marine parks that will benefit all Australians for generations to come.” ANSA’s John Burgess said.

Sydney North and Terrigal FADs replaced
The following FADs have now been replaced:  

FAD 15 Terrigal 33° 30.032 151° 38.592'
FAD 16 Sydney North 33° 35.554' 151° 34.607'

Please note: coodinates are in WGS84 Datum

Please inform the FADs Fisheries Enhancement team at fisheries.fads@dpi.nsw.gov.au if you discover a FAD adrift or no longer at its posted location.

Beware: NSW Maritime's alpine alerts don't work!
Just a heads-up as we get into the dangerous part of the year on alpine lakes: the alpine alerts that anglers and boaters can sign up for at www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/alerts/alert.html DON'T WORK. So if you have been relying on them for alerts for dangerous weather on the higher NSW lakes, think again. They seems to work fine for coastal waters but if you ticked the boxes to select warnings for the Snowy Mountains lakes, you get nothing.

RFA of NSW has been signed up for alerts for over a year and never received a single email warning, despite gale conditions eg on Eucumbene and Jindabyne on numerous occasions in 2012. 
 
The RFA has made a number of complaints to NSW Maritime over the past couple of months and last week they added a notice to the sign-up page saying the alpine alerts are out of action because of technical issues but the sign-up page still allows you to choose to get the alpine alerts along with coastal alerts.

ACMA TV on YouTube gives rundown on distress signals
ACMA TV has a YouTube channel where you'll find lots of useful marine radio information. They have recently added a lot of new VHF marine radio information including this video on sending and responding to distress signals.

Choosing your mud crabs
Video from The Australian Mud Crab Grading Scheme...

Native Fish Strategy Survey
Since the commencement of the MDBA's Native Fish Strategy (NFS) in 2004, a large number of research and adoption projects (more than 80) have been commissioned covering a wide range of species, threats, and management scenarios.

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority is reviewing the success of NFS research and development projects both in terms of their contribution to the science and to the management of native fish in the Basin.

They have developed a short survey that will take 10 minutes to complete. Go to the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QGPJHGY

Your responses and comments will greatly assist with assessing the effectiveness of Native Fish Strategy research over the past 10 years.

CLOSING DATE IS MID-MAY

Fish Friendly Marinas program to improve fish habitats

NSW DPI has launched Fish Friendly Marinas, a new initiative to improve fish habitats at NSW marinas.

“Fish Friendly Marinas has been developed to inform marina managers on how to maximise the benefits for native fish and recognise those operators actively working to improve fish habitats,” Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson Hodgkinson said.

The ten tips for a Fish Friendly Marina are:

1. Make your infrastructure fish friendly;
2. Find out about your local fish and their habitats;
3. Keep invaders out;
4. Manage your stormwater;
5. Manage your waste;
6. Manage your chemical, oil, fuel and fire risks;
7. Look after your seagrass and other sensitive fish habitat;
8. Educate your customers;
9. Don’t disturb the natives; and
10. Promote your marina’s fish friendly activities.

“The NSW Government is proud to support the Fish Friendly Marinas initiative because we recognise the economic and social importance of marinas and the boating industry, along with the habitats that marinas provide for fish,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

Marina Industries Association’s Vice Chairman, Darren Vaux, said the Fish Friendly Marinas initiative is an excellent example of Government and industry working together to enhance the environment.

“Fish Friendly Marinas will be incorporated into Marina Industries Association’s International Clean Marinas Program, thereby taking this fantastic NSW product to the rest of Australia and the Asia Pacific region,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

“Marinas that qualify as fish friendly will display accreditation signs at marina entrances and distribute educational material to customers and visitors.”

Fish Friendly Marinas has been developed by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in collaboration with the Marina Industries Association and the NSW Boating Industry Association.

This initiative builds on the successful programs Fish Friendly Council and Fish Friendly Farms.

Electronic lifejacket invented by Tingira Heights resident
David Ashard from Tingira Heights NSW has invented an electronic lifejacket that inflates automatically when a person sinks. The lifejacket’s electronics detect time and depth.

Mr Ashard designed the lifejacket after watching a television report about a young couple who lost their child in a pool accident. He says the lifejacket had been designed for boating, swimming, rockfishing, kayaking and other water activities and is planned to sell for under $100.

View the video on the Newcastle Herald website.

ARFF welcomes government response to Commonwealth Fisheries Review
The Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF) has welcomed the recent Government response to the Review of Commonwealth Fisheries: Legislation Policy and Management (The Borthwick Review).

The Borthwick Review was commissioned following attention placed on Commonwealth fisheries, particularly the Small Pelagic Fishery, throughout August and September 2012. It is the first review into Australia’s fisheries in two decades.

In releasing the review on 21 March and the Government’s response, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, said the findings highlighted current management strengths and identified potential improvements to make Commonwealth fisheries more sustainable, and meet industry and community expectations, into the future.

The Government’s response to the report is to accept the direction of all 15 recommendations.

“The review found that our current fisheries management system is good and effectively managed by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), but there is always room for improvement.

“The review has recommended that AFMA be retained, but that it be required to better consult with the community and to bring more transparency to fisheries decisions. These would be sensible reforms for the long term benefit of our fisheries industry.”

The Borthwick Review presents recommendations for improving and strengthening fisheries management, with another key recommendation being the development of a Fisheries Ecosystems policy to complement the existing Harvest Strategy and Bycatch policies.

The Government will announce details of consultation on implementation options for the Borthwick Review findings following the release of the Harvest Strategy and Bycatch Policy reviews.

With over 5 million recreational fishers in Australia and an economic contribution estimated at over $10 billion each year, recreational fishers are by far the biggest stakeholder group when considering marine policy and fisheries management.

Allan Hansard, Managing Director of ARFF said “The Review and the Government’s response quite rightly recognise the essential roles the recreational fishing community has to play in developing good public policy and sustainably managing our fisheries now and in the future. To this end, we are pleased that the Government will be seeking stakeholder and public collaboration on assessing the recommendations and how to implement them. However, this needs to be a genuine stakeholder process.

“ARFF has been disappointed by the Government’s recent Marine Park process where the important management plans for the reserve system were rushed through by Minister Burke to meet the Governments political agenda. There was no genuine consultation with the stakeholders in developing the plans. As a result, we now have plans that will not be durable and lack the essential stakeholder involvement. It has been an example of bad public policy.

“We hope Minister Ludwig is genuine in his commitment to ensure proper stakeholder involvement in progressing the Fisheries Review.”

The review is available on the DAFF website at this link.

Reminders

Still no central database of Crown road/fishing access closures
The NSW government has not responded to the NSW CFA's and the RFA's requests that an online reference database be established so that anglers can monitor applications for sale of Crown roads that may affect fishing access. In the meantime, whenever possible, we will list any applications that we become aware of on our Facebook page. Anglers should also closely monitor their local newspapers where these applications for closure will be advertised.

Go to our Facebook page for info. http://www.facebook.com/rfansw

Healthy Waterways DVD now available
The Healthy Waterways DVD "Healthy Waterways = Better Boating, More Fish" has been completed and is being distributed. Produced by the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority, this short film discusses how boaters and fishers can help keep our waterways healthy by protecting habitat, preventing the spread of aquatic pests, and volunteering.

DVDs of the video (with multilingual sub-titles) are available for fishing clubs; for more information contact Linda.Dedovic@cma.nsw.gov.au.

You can include the video in your club newsletters and websites by using the YouTube link http://youtu.be/CArVg-JcYTI

Safe fishing videos for your club website
Over the past few months, working with NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers and NSW DPI, we have given away thousands of the "Fishing Safely in NSW" DVD. We have been sending them out to individual anglers, fishing clubs and community groups. NSW DPI has also been distributing copies to anglers, at fishing workshops and other events. That brings us up to about 22,000 copies that have been handed out in past year.

The DVD covers rockfishing, freshwater fishing and underwater fishing. Any club should feel free to frame the videos in their own websites, just get the code to embed the various from our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/safefishing .

RFA safe fishing bumper stickers
We have a fresh print run of our weatherproof bumper stickers. There are three designs, each features a QR code linking your smartphone to Bureau of Meteorology weather forecasts and PFD safety information. If you would like some for your car, boat, club members or to put around any fishing spots, send your name and postal address to info@rfansw.com.au

RFA videos now on YouTube channel


The RFA of NSW now has a YouTube channel where all our safe fishing videos can be viewed. Go to www.youtube.com/safefishing to see the channel.