Fishing key issue, Abu Dhabi draws superyachts, Volvo Garmin alliance

by Jeni Bone, editor on 22 Feb 2011 In 31 days time, New South Wales will vote and it’s likely the Labor party will be ousted after holding power for 16 years, though what majority the Coalition will manage remains to be seen. Will the NSW Greens enjoy the same popularity with the electorate as in the federal elections last June? Thousands of fishers and boaters in NSW are watching the polls and the parties’ policy announcements as the factions jostle for approval.

Marine Parks and the broader issue of commercial and recreational fishing have taken on key election importance. Read what the main players have to say – the seafood and fishing industry, the Greens, Coalition, international experts and the ECOfishers – in our feature.

We also have plenty of product news, including the news about B&G and Simrad scooping coveted awards for innovation at the Miami International Boat Show, some good news from Fremantle about their recent boat show, a preview of Abu Dhabi and Dubai yacht shows, and some insight from Thom Dammrich heralding a better year ahead for the US boating industry.

Next week, we will have a close look at the New Zealand marine industry, in the lead up to its Industry Conference, 23-25 March in Queenstown. Like many sectors in NZ (and Australia), the boating and marine industries are feeling the impact of long-term skills shortage. What is fuelling the trend and what are the main proponents doing to combat it?