Pollution and run-off are bigger Sydney issues than fishing
AL McGlashan was in the eye of the storm which erupted over the NSW government’s planned Sydney fishing bans.
NSW
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The last week can only be described as hectic — a crazy rollercoaster ride for the state’s 850,000 odd anglers after the government’s shock announcement of its plans for marine park lockouts which would stretch along the Sydney coastline.
It was a real slap in the face, especially when anglers have been pushing for better management of many species, jewfish being just one, to ensure a healthier ecosystem. At the very same time the government was working with anglers on these issues, it king hit them with an absurd scheme to ban them from many of the best fishing spots, effectively labelling them as an extreme threat to the marine environment.
There was no consultation and anglers got mad, causing community outcry. As bad as it was, it was also awesome, because the threat of more lockouts suddenly woke a sleeping giant. It seemed everyone had finally had enough. The people, from children to grandparents across Sydney, came together in one voice.
Overnight, talkback radio came alive. There were stories on the nightly news and social media went into meltdown with disgruntled anglers. the Stopthelockout group’s membership skyrocketed to 40,000 in a week. This highlighting just how big the issue is, and suddenly it was bigger than the greyhounds ban backlash.
When you look at the state’s history it is easy to see why anglers are so angry. The previous Labor government imposed lockouts on anglers from Coffs Harbour to Narooma and then threw in draconian rules to further discourage anglers: huge fines for simply having a hook attached to your rod while being in the wrong zone made easy pickings for marine park officers who dished them out on unsuspecting holiday makers. Coastal towns suffered and in many, including Narooma, business closed down. So, it’s easy to see why there was such an uproar when the Liberals tried the same thing. Never bite the hands that feeds you.
I love my fishing and am passionate about protecting, the environment, and I am sick of governments pandering to fringe radicals. Fishing isn’t evil, it’s an awesome family activity that gets you outside and back to nature. Worldwide anglers are encouraged to use marine parks, where instead of lockouts there is fisheries management, with tools such as size limits, bag limits and seasonal closures to keep fish stocks healthy. Anglers are true conservationists and take an ever increasing role as custodians who want to conserve the environment. Let’s face it, fishermen want more fish than anyone.
The good news is that last week’s column and all that pressure worked, and a crisis meeting was organised with Fisheries Minister Niall Blair. Blair is a fisho and I have had the pleasure of fishing with him, so I have to admit I was surprised he had been involved in the whole fiasco. From the outset of the meeting the message was loud and clear from the boating and fishing industry — lockouts were off the table.
Instead we focused on real issues such as pollution and urban run-off and I have to say I walked away feeling that the government had listened. So, what does the future hold? Well, we are definitely in a good place because the government recognises just how strong the angling fraternity is and most importantly it recognises that we play a vital role in healthy waterways. Lockouts aren’t the answer, instead it’s about smart fisheries management. Once we clean up Sydney the next step is to sort out the other marine park lockouts along the coast
Al’s Tips
1 Send messages to local member, minister and the premier.
2 Don’t slow down. Keep up the pressure but be mature and polite.
3 Fish responsibly, limit your catch and think of the future.