Recreational fishos get their message over with successful ABC debate

by Jeni Bone on 6 Jul 2011 Anglers are positive after last night’s debate centring on recreational fishing which aired on ABC Radio, featuring fishing activist, Martin Salter and long-time marine editor/publisher, Jim Harnwell debating Save Our Marine Life Alliance spokesman Tim Nicol and Dr Renae Tobin, from the Fishing and Fisheries Research Centre at James Cook University.

The 'national pastime' which is important to more than three million people, was presented as 'a way of life'. Regulations and busy lifestyles were named as some of the barriers to recreational fishing.

Salter, author of the 'Keep Australia Fishing' report commissioned by the Boating Fishing Council Australia, is a retired UK Politician on a year-long sabbatical in Australia and NZ to enjoy the region's fishing - for 'contemplation' and the relaxing lifestyle. He said he was willinging 'roped in' to the politics of fishing in Australia and subsequently produced the report. Salter stated clearly that fishing was very helpful as a diversion activity for youth at risk, and received funding from the government to implement programs to get kids into the pastime.

When the issues of the future of fishing, rights to fish and marine parks arose, Salter was in his element. He said there was a massive disconnect between the conservation groups and recreational fishing in Australia. In the UK, the environmentalists are aware that the sheer numbers of recreational fishermen are able to form a powerful ally. 'It was the great conservationist, David Bellamy himself who called fishermen the 'Eyes and ears of the waterside'.'

But Salter observed that here, the radical element of the Greens and other groups viewed fishermen as the enemy, instead of uniting to fight the real problems: pollution, chemicals and the destruction of spawning areas, rather than locking up the ocean. 'They seem to treat recreational fishing as part of the problem, when it's very much part of the solution. We need to focus on the key issues.'

Marine Parks as a concept, he said are fine in some cases, 'but what are we trying to protect and from what?'

'What really annoys recreational anglers in Australia is that some environmental groups make no distinction between the impact of commercial fishing . . . and the impact of the guy going out on a Sunday afternoon with in his tinnie with a rod and a line and a couple of kids to catch a feed for his family, which is one of the most sustainable ways of feeding a family.'

Commenting on the debate, John Dunphy of Dunphy Sports, importer of Shimano fishing tackle and supplier to over 1000 retailers, said Martin Salter 'nailed it'.

'He clearly won the debate. Everybody who called in was in favour of recreational fishing. I think it will make a difference in the scheme of things. But we can’t leave it at that. We need to get more vocal in the media. We are winning in NSW, Victoria and approaching a victory in Western Australia. The Qld snapper ban overturn went our way.

'I think we can always do more to let the public know. People in fishing know and we spend a lot of money before the elections trying to get our message out. As an industry, we just have to keep up the flow of information and counter the false science that is out there.'

To hear the show and make your comments, visit http://www.abc.net.au/rn/australiatalks/stories/2011/3242655.htm