Hi all,
The attached doc is from the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW, where the AUF/NSW are affiliate members. Stan Konstantaras of RFA is heading up a campaign to see that fisho's are not screwed over.
The USFA , Matt Poulton & a few other Spearo's are taking a front seat in this with Stan so well done to them. A lot of time & hard work being carried by a few, so thanks guys.
I'm hoping to meet with the head guy managing this MPA in the next week or so, and if newsworthy will share.
For you interstate non NSW members it's a great example of a campaign and using independent parliamentarians who affect the balance of power. It's a similar strategy to that used by ARFF the national recfishing body where the National AUF Spearfishing sit on the committee. A great example you may use in your own local battles.
NSW Spearo's you need to get on the front foot and become involved in this as we've everything to lose as usual, please study the attachments & links provided, go to the RFA website to keep up on this, get their newsletters, write or go and see your local member.
Spearfishers should not be put out of any areas unless there is a sound scientific reason to do so & where Spearfishing may be seen to pose a threat to the environment we should have the right and opportunity to meet with the regulators and develop risk minimisation strategies that still allow limited Spearfishing.
We are well and truly done over in NSW and it's time the balances tipped our way.
Anglers in NSW have the advantage of a large portion of our licence & government money being spent on commercial buyouts to create recreational fishing havens and artificial reefs, there's also breakwater spearing bans all over NSW(angling allowed), none of which are of any use to the average Spearo. I'm not having a go at anglers but it's blatantly unfair, of all fishing methods we should have the most access to good territory, not the bloody least. And I'm not saying that we shouldn't work with and share support with anglers, but we are Spearo's!! At the end of the day the anglers will need to get the best outcome for their members as they are obliged to do. We need to keep this in mind and show that we are not complacent and run our own parallel campaign individually as Spearo's. We may well be on the bottom of the heap if we don't.
Remember the one exclusive thing we have in our power is that we can choose to be responsible in our actions and have the most minimal impact of all fishing methods including catch & release which has a mortality rate, also a mortality of bait/berley species. If C and R is allowed limited spearing should also be allowed.
Add to our disadvantages the LHI MPA Spearfishing only ban, North harbour Spearfishing only ban, less rock shelf access than anglers, unnecessary GNS exclusion zones in all mpa's and Southern QLD, no fresh water, no lakes, limited estuary and river, dirty water, rough water, strong currents, depth limitations, etc etc. We are the most screwed of all and it's time it stopped. Let your pollies know, use local opposition and sitting members of parliament, get onto local TV & newspapers.
Where's our exclusive use of territory and why don't we have some, there's nothing wrong with responsible Spearfishing is there??
It's time for everyone to man up do something and reverse this bias towards fishing and particularly Spearfishing. Come up with your own ideas, be reasonable and realistic but get out there yourself and make a difference. Do the required submissions & the things I've said in here but please let them know your here & that you care passionately. Don't leave it up to other Spearo's or you'll be leaving it up to 3or4 people only, and that wouldn't come across as strong to me.
Look at how the greens attack these things in mass, we got to do some of the same. Gather others to help put in submissions and make noise.
Could those addressed above please consider spreading these words and attachments through your club and members networks?
Please remember these words are purely my opinion, one which will not be shared by all!!
Best regards.
Adrian Wayne.
AUFSC National/NSW Chairman.
0418 282 696
