Seems 2 out of 3 East Coast Govt`s are thinking

[Gad]

Taken from Fishing World`s Email Newsletter 12-5-11

EXCLUSIVE: Fisho interviews NSW Fisheries Minister

10 May 2011

By Jim Harnwell, Editor/publisher Fishing World

KATRINA Hodgkinson is that rarest of all rare things: a Fisheries Minister who actually fishes.

Fisho interviewed Hodgkinson in her Parliament House offices in Sydney yesterday. Appointed Primary Industries Minister by Premier Barry O'Farrell after his landslide win in the election, Hodgkinson describes herself as a "passionate" angler who enjoys wetting a line with her husband and young children.

Based in Yass in southern NSW, Hodgkinson and her family regularly travel to the Shoalhaven area and fish around Jervis Bay and local estuary systems.

As part of Coalition policy, Hodgkinson has ordered reviews in the Fisheries Department and Marine Parks Authority. Terms of reference for both reviews are yet to be set and the Minister was reticent to make too many comments about her plans for NSW's 1 million anglers before these planned reviews are finalised.

While many fishos will be disappointed that there will be no specific fisheries representative in the new Coalition Government, Hodgkinson made it clear that things would be different for anglers under O'Farrell's rule than it had been for the past 16 years of ALP domination.

In a move that should please anglers, and incite fury among anti-fishing extremists, Hodgkinson made it clear that she didn't support the "lock it up" ideology that has marred fisheries policy in NSW for the past decade.

"There are more than a million rec anglers in NSW," Hodgkinson said. "It's a wonderful pastime, a great family activity. But there have been some incredible restrictions put on (anglers).

"The scientific audit of marine parks that I've ordered is designed to look at options regarding fishing access issues. I'm not going to pre-empt what that audit will find but I want to make the point that this review will be based on science, not ideology.

"If science recommends protection for some particular area, then so be it. But if closures are sought just for some ideological reason, well, it's just not on."

The Minister said she would be happy to look at using fisheries management methods, not closures, as a way to manage marine habitat and biodiversity issues.

She cited her recent decision to revoke a ban on fishing around Fish Rock and Green Island, near the fishing hub of South West Rocks on the NSW North Coast, as an example of the sort of management strategies she favours.

Government to spend on Rec Fishing

12 May 2011

THE Victorian Coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve opportunities for rec fishers in the state with a $16.2 million investment in the 2011-12 Victorian Budget.

Government funding will be used to boost fish rearing in Victoria with Murray Cod, golden perch, rainbow and brown trout bred at the DPI Snobs Creek Hatchery to be stocked in waterways.

Funding will also be used to make improvements to recreational fishing infrastructure, including artificial reefs, fish-cleaning tables and access to jetties.

A new Recreational Fishing Multicultural Liaison Team will be established to work with community leaders. Other recreational fishing projects funded in the Budget include:

• Development of new recreational fisheries, including the stocking of trout cod, Macquarie perch, freshwater catfish and Australian bass in suitable waterways;

• Installation of fish ladders to improve fish migration and production;

• Investigate opportunities to stock black bream and estuary perch in the Anglesea River, subject to the scientific review of the estuary;

• Working with relevant authorities to improve access tracks and upgrade existing boat launching facilities

• Conducting more public forums for recreational fishers and department staff to exchange ideas on ways to improve the management of Victoria's fisheries

• Working with recreational and commercial fishers to implement measures to protect spawning fish stocks near river mouths

• Increasing fisheries patrols on weekends and public holidays; and developing and implementing research and development projects to support recreational fishing.

Funding has also been committed in the budget to continue the fisheries intelligence reporting line (13 FISH).

[Jords]

To say I am sufficiently jealous is a massive understatement!

[Malcolm]

Don't worry It's spreading up here soon

[Gad]

Don't worry It's spreading up here soon

If your relying on Can Do,to Will Do,I`m not sure he Would Do

[Malcolm]

Andrew Powell maybbe couldbee hopefully willbee going at it wit a better attitude

[ellicat]

It's good to see. !

[Malcolm]

It's good to see. !

Maybee

[ellicat]

Not yet sold on the CanDo, but at least some of those on the right side of politics are saying stuff other than "What do you want Mr Green, my master. ?"

[Gad]

Andrew Powell maybbe couldbee hopefully willbee going at it wit a better attitude

understand where your at, my gut tells me that if/when/if there is a change of government here, that a new government would want to mend their broken fences and fertilse their proven pastures first and foremost.

The commercial sector and the fishing voices who are there for themselves may get some token gestures thrown their way,but for the ununited dedicated real rec fisho`s I can`t see too many joyful realistic changes.

The only clear change would be the fact that the change over government would dislike the rabid greens as much as the rec fisho.