High profile anglers support Rec. fishing reserve for Port Phillip

by Keep Australia Fishing on 23 Oct 2014 In an unprecedented show of unity and purpose, five of Australia’s top fishing and TV personalities have joined the call for the next government of Victoria to establish Port Phillip Bay as a recreational fishing reserve.

In a meeting to discuss the proposal, Rex Hunt, Paul Worsteling, Lee Rayner, Al McGlashan and Adam Royter committed to helping Keep Australia Fishing in its campaign to convince Victoria’s politicians to make Port Phillip Bay Australia’s largest recreational fishing haven.

Fishing icon Rex Hunt said: 'Over a million Victorians, including mums, dads and kids, go fishing each year and spend around $2 billion doing so. A lot of this economic activity happens in and around Port Phillip Bay. The beauty of making Port Phillip Bay a recreational fishing reserve is that it’s on the doorstep of Australia’s second largest city.'

Paul Worsteling, the host of Ifish television program said: 'Establishing Port Phillip Bay as a recreational fishing reserve requires a paradigm change in the way governments, the general community and even recreational fishers think about the way we manage our fisheries. It’s about recognising the significant economic, social and environmental benefits recreational fishing can bring to the residents of Melbourne and Victoria.'

Lee Rayner, frontman for the Fishing Edge TV series said: 'It's all about us as anglers being active in making our own forward thinking decisions to ensure the future of our fishery and its surrounds. This will mean improving shore and on water access to the fishery for recreational fishers -­- including better boat ramp infrastructure, better access to piers, jetties and other onshore infrastructure. Importantly, this move is about making the shoreline of Port Phillip Bay more fishing friendly.'

Al McGlashan, the host of the Big Fish, Small Boats TV program, said: 'This is a true win-­-win situation. It would generate much needed economic activity for Victoria, would create real marine conservation benefits and protect fish stocks for future generations. Port Phillip Bay would become a truly family-­-fishing friendly place for future generations.'

Adam Royter, well known fishing media personality, said: 'This is a game changer. It’s about recreational fishers being proactive rather than reactive to issues. It’s about taking responsibility for the management of our key fisheries and protecting our fishing future.'

A Keep Australia Fishing spokesman said: 'It’s great having the support of some Australia’s best known fishos in this important campaign. The leaders of the major political parties in Victoria have our recreational fishing haven proposal and we await their response prior to the state election. Keep Australia Fishing looks forward to working with the next government of Victoria in establishing the world class Port Phillip Bay recreational fishing reserve.'