Snapper ban will destroy tourism, fishing charters: Operator
The statewide snapper ban has claimed its first casualties — two members of Fisheries Minister Tim Whetstone’s recreational fishing advisory council have quit in protest over reforms.
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Two members of Fisheries Minister Tim Whetstone’s recreational fishing advisory council have quit in protest over the state’s controversial snapper ban.
Council chairman Graham Keegan said the duo were upset the submission it presented during the consultation process, suggesting alternative restrictions instead of a three-year fishing ban, was “basically ignored’’.
He said the council was pleased its call for extra money for snapper research and surveys had been heeded, but was “extremely disappointed’’ its suggestion of extended seasonal closures had been rejected.
“We offered a precautionary option that looked at mitigating the giant kill of fish that aggregate in October and a lot of the (snapper) bycatch over the next six months,’’ he said.
“I estimate that having the fishery open in October and not taking a precautionary approach to mitigate the bycatch between now and next June will see 150 tonnes of fish die.
“If we are going into a three-year sustainability program like this, why are we going to kill 80 to 100 tonnes in the next four weeks? It does not make any sense.’’
The three-year commercial and recreational ban on catching snapper in most of the state’s waters will start on November 1. Fishing for snapper will only be allowed in southeast waters between February and October during the closure period.
A compensation and support package that includes licence fee relief, cash for snapper research and restocking and mental-health assistance will be provided by the State Government for professional fishermen and charter operators who are affected.
Marine Fishers Association president Craig Fletcher said he was “deeply concerned’’ for the future welfare of many in the industry.
“I have received calls from distressed commercial snapper fishers demanding further financial business assistance, desperately wanting an answer on how they will be able to pay bills, manage debt repayment and, at the same time, raise a family and put food on the table,” he said.
“I am deeply concerned with the realistic prospect of some commercial fishers and fishing reliant businesses going broke due to this closure.”
Mr Fletcher said while the association welcomed the licence fee relief, it “will not enable snapper fishers who rely on snapper to remain in the industry”.
“The industry is concerned about the impact of displaced snapper fishers shifting their effort on to other key species such as calamari, King George whiting and garfish,’’ he said.
“These species, in most regions, are already being fished at full capacity and, in some gulf regions, over capacity.’’
Mr Fletcher said snapper fishers still questioned the scientific results that triggered the three-year ban as “critical information’’ was lost when large areas were not assessed because of rough weather.
“They claim the other assessments, such as reduced commercial catches and a smaller class of fish caught, warrant a cautious approach, but nowhere to the extent of a 3½-year closure,’’ he said.
West Coast Professional Fishers Association president Jeff Schmucker said it was unfair that members had been drawn into the mismanagement of the snapper fisheries in the Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent.
He said West Coast fishers had more challenges such as open seas and an extensive coastline that “act as a natural management tool’’, and catches had been stable for many years.
“The failure of PIRSA to conduct a recreational survey in the five-year time frame, as required under Government policy, has seen a gap in the data,’’ he said.
Respected fishing identity and SA Angler magazine editor Shane Mensforth said he was “both surprised and dismayed’’ the closure option was chosen.
“Closing the bulk of the state’s snapper fishery for what’s effectively four seasons will create havoc within many industries, and in particular regional tourism, retail tackle, retail boat sales and charter fishing,’’ he said.
“Part of Minister Whetstone’s portfolio is taking care of regional centres, and I’m sure there’ll be many upset business owners in places like Ardrossan, Whyalla and Arno Bay.
“He had other options to consider that would have allowed recreational (fishers) to keep fishing for snapper while allowing stocks to gradually recover, such as cutting the recreational bag limit to one fish per trip and taking commercial longlines out of the water.
“The backlash from the recreational sector will be severe and I can guarantee none of us will forget Minister Whetstone’s decision when it comes to the next state election.’’
Yorke Peninsula mayor Darren Braund said he was concerned about the ban’s impact on businesses.
“We understand the need for a sustainable fishery but we wanted a shorter fishing ban period, extended closures and lower bag limits,’’ he said.
Mr Whetstone said he had to make the tough decision because of the diminishing stock levels, and acknowledged it would hit communities.
BUSINESS FEARS SNAPPER BAN WILL WRECK TOURISM
The snapper ban will destroy South Australia’s tourism industry, send commercial fishermen out of business and put lives at risk, a fishing charter operator has warned.
Go Get ‘Em Fishing Charters owner Tom Di Vittorio described the State Government’s decision to ban snapper fishing in all SA waters for three years from November 1 as “totally ruthless”, saying it will render his business unviable and force its closure.
“I’ll be finished (in) six months,” he said.
“They don’t care. (They say) you can do other things. I’d like to know what these other things are because I’m not taking people out for a barbecue.”
Mr Di Vittorio, of Plympton, also expressed grave concerns about the decision to allow snapper fishing in the southeast between February and October, under heavily restricted conditions.
“You’ve got different waters over there so someone is going to get killed and I can see it happening,” he said.
“You’ve got a lot of swells, smaller boats … They’re not used to that sort of water.”
Mr Di Vittorio said the state’s tourism industry would also suffer.
“The tourism sector is going to be finished for South Australia — It will be done,” he said.
“We told (the Government) many, many years ago that you’ve got to do something and they never did anything about it and this is the outcome but it’s our problem.
“They’re not even fishermen, they don’t even know.”
However, recreational fishermen could see the merit in the move.
“I think it’s going to be good because with all the charters and stuff, the (fishermen) are going empty so it will be good to have a ban for three years or even more,” Marios Ardamis, 32, of Parkside, said.
“It will be good for the future, to get some more fish, and we simple fisherman can enjoy our hobby.”
Mr Ardamis said it had become “harder and harder to find snapper” and he would instead target whiting and squid.
Kayne Egel, 23, of Seaton, also supported the ban.
“If they have done the (research) and checked how much snapper is out there and if there’s not much out there then why not?” he said.
“It’s better to protect them.”
Drago Visnjic, 43, of Gulfview Heights, said a ban was needed but three years was excessive.
He also said recreational fishermen should be exempt.
“I reckon the people that they really should be harping on is the professional snapper fishermen,” he said.
“They’re just doing their job but they are just really taking too many fish out of the sea.”