High fuel prices forces 'boat pooling'

by Paul Weston on 18 Sep 2006 Recreational fishermen are being forced into 'boat pooling' because of high fuel prices.

And those who do go out after a feed on their own are making shorter trips, according to Gold Coast City Marina shipyard manager Ryan Leigh-Smith.
'Most people are just going out for an hour, dropping anchor and staying overnight. They're not doing the longer distances,' he said.

The 'real concern' was game-fishing operators. 'On any bluewater long-distance run, fuel is a concern,' he said. 'For a 40-foot (13m) game fishing boat, you can use about 400 litres a day. It can cost you an extra $200 a day.'

Mr Leigh-Smith confirmed 'mum and dad boaties' were feeling the impact of fuel prices and were cutting costs by boat and car pooling, or taking fewer trips.

In Sydney, boat traffic dropped 25 per cent on previous years when fuel approached the $2-a-litre mark last month in some inner harbour marinas. But while some fishermen are having problems, Queensland's marine industry is still sailing along.

More than 203,600 boats were registered in July, up from 193,964 in June last year.

Full story at: www.couriermail.com.au