Draft Federal Discussion Paper on Rec Fishing.

[rayke1938]

This press release was released yesterday by The Hon. Tony Burke MP

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

31 March 2010

DAFF10/403B

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke today released a draft discussion paper to help shape the future of the recreational fishing industry in Australia.

The paper was developed by the Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee, which was established by Mr Burke to provide expert industry advice to the Rudd Government.

The committee brings together expertise and industry skills from across the country from young leaders to highly experienced fisheries scientists and managers.

It met with recreational fishers across Australia to consult on the directions of the draft discussion paper, Recreational Fishing in Australia – 2010 and Beyond.

“Recreational fishing is a vital industry for many regional and rural areas that is enjoyed by millions of Australians, providing jobs and injecting funds into local economies,†Mr Burke said.

“The Rudd Government will continue to help the sector plan ahead to ensure it is sustainable for the long-term.

“The committee said industry would like to see better promotion of the importance of recreational fishing and to ensure the industry has a plan to help manage our fish resources.

“The Government is providing up to $500,000 to help scope and implement a coordinated national data collection project for recreational fishing in Australia.

“We want to build on existing work by the states and territories and community-based recreational fishing organisations and encourage a nationally consistent approach.â€

Mr Burke said he had asked the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) to work with the advisory committee to coordinate the project and seek co-investment from state and territory governments around and industry organisations.

He has also written to the states and territories to begin consultation and asked for their input on the suggested national framework.

Recreational fishers are urged to contact their local recreational fishing associations and put forward their views on the draft discussion paper, by 30 April 2010.

The discussion paper is available at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

This link has stopped working see post below with the working link.

PLease take the time to study the submission and submit the feedback form.

Cheers

Ray

[crazywalrus]

thanks for the great info tonight

[rayke1938]

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke this week released a draft discussion paper that aims to help shape the future of recreational fishing.

The paper was developed by the Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee, which was established by the minister to provide expert industry advice to the Rudd Government. The committee, consisting of young leaders to highly experienced fisheries scientists and managers, met with recreational fishers across Australia to consult on the directions of the draft discussion paper, Recreational Fishing in Australia – 2010 and Beyond.

“Recreational fishing is a vital industry for many regional and rural areas that is enjoyed by millions of Australians, providing jobs and injecting funds into local economies,†Burke said.

â€The Rudd Government will continue to help the sector plan ahead to ensure it is sustainable for the long-term. The committee said industry would like to see better promotion of the importance of recreational fishing and to ensure the industry has a plan to help manage our fish resources."

“The Government is providing up to $500,000 to help scope and implement a coordinated national data collection project for recreational fishing in Australia.

“We want to build on existing work by the states and territories and community-based recreational fishing organisations and encourage a nationally consistent approach.â€

Burke said he had asked the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) to work with the advisory committee to coordinate the project and seek co-investment from state and territory governments and industry organisations.

Recfish Australia, the peak national body for recreational fishing today welcomed the announcement of the discussion paper.

In a press statement Recfish says the draft discussion paper is part of a $2 million 2007 election promise to review the 1994 National Policy on Recreational Fishing.

“The original 1994 National Policy was a well intended document but it lacked mechanisms and a will to see the policy translated into actions.†said Recfish Australia Chair, Frank Prokop.

“This new strategy has several key actions associated with it, along with some initial funding to kick start these actions.â€

“Recfish Australia enjoys a positive relationship with the FRDC as one of their representative organisations, and in partnership with Recfishing Research, has identified many of the priorities reflected in the national strategy.

"The nation’s most recent statistics for recreational fishing are now ten years old and it’s impossible to make meaningful comment about our industry without updated statistics. Recfish Australia is ready to assist the minister in delivering this strategy and will be working closely with the advisory committee and the FRDC,†added Prokop.

Recreational fishers are urged to contact their local recreational fishing associations and put forward their views on the draft discussion paper by 30 April 2010.

The discussion paper can be downloaded at: www.daff.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/rfids

[rayke1938]

Bump with working links.

[Old Scaley]

Thanks Ray. Link still showed 404 error, but I did find the pdf document that I think you are referring to. Here is another link that may or may not work. http://www.daff.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/1558253/recfish-2010-beyond.pdf

The document itself seems to be very positive about the benefits of recreational fishing and puts forward a number of bland but achievable strategies for involving recreational fishers in the planning processes and raising the profile of recreational fishing. Can't see any threats to recreational fishing here. Am I missing something?

Steve

[rayke1938]

That is the pdf file .the link is working for me .

Here is the link for the feedback form

/>http://www.daff.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/rfids/recreational_fishing_in_australia_-_2010_and_beyond

Sorry for the stuffing around.

Cheers

Ray

[Eug]

thanks for the updates ray

[Old Scaley]

Feedback sent. Thanks for pointing us to this, Ray.

[reelchippy]

Thanks ray great post

[Gad]

If others fill in the form,read the questions carefully,some of the questions are worded in such a way that you will need to clarify in the comment section just what it is you agree with or disagree with,eg

Recreational fishers and government should share the responsibility and costs of managing and enhancing recreational fishing.

personally I believe rec fisho`s already pay towards these things through boat and trailer rego,GST on boats/trailers, fuel fishing tackle, rods, reels and every other purchases we make involving our fishing.

How our governments choose to spend this revenue is their decisions for which the rec fisho should not be making up the difference.

I believe in the user pays system,so therefore we are paying through taxes.

Recreational fishers and government should work in partnership to play a positive role in dealing with climate change

Maybe my way of thinking ,but I can feel new restrictions or taxes/licensing in there.

The above statements are just opinions, designed to ask you to consider your responses on the form,carefully.

The above stated opinions have not been put in here to start or prevoke others opinions on these topics.

cheers Gad

[rayke1938]

Yes there are a few tricky ones there that you really have to think about but it does give you the opportunity to have some input and if enough of us do respond maybe we can make some changes for the better.

I am afraid that I really hammered our own state government about the manner they introduce change without any research data just to appease the green vote. :blush:

Cheers

Ray

[kreel]

I've downloaded the "Rec Fishing 2010 and Beynd" paper and am wading my way through that ATM. I'll get to the feedback form soon.