Gee im glad hes the FORMER minister

 Regards:Geoff

Out of interest, would people prefer 3 month bans now as pre-emptive measures for something thats already in danger, or 6 month bans in 2-3 years time when the science proves that its really stuffed?

(just asking the question - doesn't reflect my views) 

Total ban on any fishing the first week of every month = 3 months over the year problem solved ?

something needs to be done to protect stocks for the future. But any policy decision should be based on the best research available. Policy planning should also consider all implications for all parties (including the fish). My problem with Mr Ford is that he was not making his decisions under those provisos,

(Colin 1 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

My consern is the fish numbers left to flot away

Regards:Geoff & Luke

office. According to the ABC interview, he has been receiving instructions all week on which way he should go. I would love to know who has been giving those instructions.
(Colin 1 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

If there is Bans I would like to see a total ban on bottom fishing to stop the bycatch problem?

I didn't hear the interview, but when you 'reported' that 'there was a push for a ban on all fishing'  this sounds more an extreme reaction from the extreme 'tree hugger' end.

Was it clear where the push came from?

I was/am not affected by the WCB ban, but can see the obvious implications for other bioregions.

The problems at the moment is proof (good exhaustive incontestable scientific data) - this vacuum is filled by a triangle of understandable commentary,on one side you have the recs who catch lots of fish and because of that vacuum can't accept the need for a closed season, on the other side, we have the emotive extreme conversationalists that are assuming absolute gloom with our stocks, and on the third side we have commercial fishos who’s livelihood is seen as unnecessarily (vacuum again) threatened.

Then of course, there's a plethora or peripheral issues such as the inequitably of the professional fishos with exceptions (historical/existing/speculative).  

With this totally unacceptable vacuum of incontestable FACTS we are faced with a great dilemma - what IF the tree huggers are right?

If we don't instigate some interim measures (pending evolution of those facts), we MIGHT see some species depleted beyond recovery.

No one wants to see that.

Then, there's the second part of the dilemma - we are here, right now because NO government - Labour or Liberal, have had the testicular fortitude and willingness to invest in a massive scientific research project, the basis of this which needs to be formulated by informed public consultation so that ALL sides agree.

If all sides don't accept the process, then they won't accept the outcome and we'll be back to square one.

Sadly, and realistically, I can't see ANY government pushing this whole issue high enough up the expenditure ladder to attain the purse size that it needs.

Therefore, the idea of 'lets put things on hold until (the) (proper)scientific research is done', whilst a very valid statement, at it's best, may end up in the permanent cancellation of bans, access by professional etc., until one day, we can’t catch species any more. 

But there's a third tier to the dilemma. If we DO put the bans in place, then the government may be able to further 'justify' NOT escalating this issue to it's proper place because ' it's doing something'

Right now we have the choice - angry fishos (rec and prof) vs potential species depletion - not much of a choice is it?

Colin Molloy

(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

the solution is simple.

I have said before and again today...

limited catch numbers to a finite figure, issue numbered taggs to ensure that number is enforced or less taken,

otherwise close all fishing for two weeks of every month. That will reduce pressure by 50% and with bad weather helping at times will cut the take. But a three month straight ban is just plain to hard on guys that only get off in Nov~Dec and Jan of the whole year.

I for one don't get any off time between July and begining of november, same for many contract workers in the mines construction and shut-down time slots. We would end up with three dead months of the year, those three being our only real time off, or should I say "reel" time off!

I also fully agree that the closure would be far more effective on take numbers if Pro-fishers, shark netters etc where closed out as well. Even a two month total fisahing ban by rec's pro's and charters would have a bigger impact on stocks. one month in october and one month in april say.

Tony

Full-time piscatorial-idiot, in The Vines. "It is always in season for old men to learn." Aeschylus (525-456 BC) Greek poet.
Supporter of Meals on Reels

I agree tony. I work on the mines and have just bought a boat. I get 8 days at home every 2 weeks but between work on the house family and friends sometimes I don't get enough time to fish. I have a month off over xmas and I want to enjoy the warm summer months fishing

So many fishing spots. Not enough sickies!!!!!!!

One question?
Is John Ford a fisherman? Has he ever been fishing?

have a 5 mile  limit offshore running up the coast. You cant fish past this 5 mile limit for a period of time, you dont upset any spawning at all.

I will support the v5 ban,but only if it is for all,not just the recreationals,and I will be happy to see the ban during the breeding season,for dhuies,which is as far as I know,December January and Febuary. but unless every one includeing the commercial fishing industry is banned,stoped ,not allowed to fish during this time,then we all must be treated equal.The fish need time to build up stockes,and although unpalatable for us all,then a complete ban is the only way,BUT,it must be complete.jersey

i dont think a total ban is good for anybody especially if you own a tackle shop , that would make bcfs year coz they would be the only ones left then watch the prices go up. charters would kak it,lotsa bad points to having a total ban reduction in bag limits and better management are the go, ban is a word used to say i dont know what to do so ill just axe everything lots more research and communication with all parties involved is whats needed not someone in power stroking it because they can!

Whatever it takes but ban everyone

Then we can all head up north and start a V10 up there

They should put in a new regulation which makes everyone fish like I do.  I don't get to fish much due to time restrictions but when I do I do not catch anything. Ha, what a great solution.  No need for formal bans.

Perhaps my catch-cry could be 'I do my bit for fish conservation by fishing but not catching anything'

There is no need to feed the relies, neighbours every bloody weekend. Just learn to back off on your kill & ban the Fishwreck BRAG thread.
Isnt it great just to be out there & bring home just enough for a couple of family meals??

I`d rather be fishin`!!!

Rainbow your last name isn't warrior is it

I agree Rainbow.  I am not a fan of the kill and grill attitude where you bring fish for all the neighbours, fanily etc.  I only ever take home enough for one or two fresh feeds and that is it.  I hardly ever freeze fish for later meals.

If and I state " If " it is necessary to impose a ban, ban every one, that is if the fish stocks are as bad as we have been lead to believe, don't forget we are supposed to believe Jon Ford and he is only a politician. The pros and charter operators are the worst offenders as they are the ones fishing these spawning areas through October, November,December and January, because if they didn't they wouldn't catch enough fish and would go out of business.

Rainbow you have hit the nail on the head.

Im mainly a c&r fisherman. After i landed that dhuie i got last weekend i rigged up a different rig to aim at a diferent species.

1 dhuie for me was enough

i dont think canning the brag board would save many fish its just to show off what we catch and are allowed to,but hey why dont we ban fishing sites too like i said with a ban maentality where does it end??whats next bright idea not allowed to have a boat either get real why should those of us that do stick to rules have to cop it for those that dont the powers at be have had decades to do something but havent and now the smartest thing they come up with is a ban took a lotta thought that did,pros raped and pillaged for years and there is still loopholes that allow them to fish when and where we cant, i suppose rec fishers made all the crays dissapear too

All it would take is to ban GPS's altogether,for pro's and amateurs,this would stop the hammering of the grounds completely.As it is now you find a nice little lump,ping it,and go back to it time and time again along with whoever else has pinged it as well untill there isn't anything left on it or within 500 metres around it,then move on to the next one you have pinged.And so on and so on.
What is the first thing someone new to the area do?Ask someone for a couple of spots to get started with,say no more!
Upsizing is another thing ,but it cannot be policed as some people will cheerfully drop a dead dhuey of only just size to keep one of double the size,its greed and nothing else that has caused this problem to start with,by both pro's and amateurs over a long period with nothing happening untill its too late to save the fishery

ahhhhhhhhhh i

 feel for you guys, i really do! 

Same here,but then again we can expect more of those southern terrorists--sorry tourists up our way if it does come in

Liar! I'm in the same situation, either way, I'm not directly and immediately affected. But you can be sure Brad that it's only a matter of time that any approach spreads to other bioregions. Mind you, as far as the WCB V5 is concerned, they first be looking at the South Coast Bioregion I suppose.

Colin Molloy

(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

Don't know about it involving the South coast bio region as there is a big gap from Augusta to Windy Harbour then only limited access from there to Albany depending on weather and swell allowing boats to get out safely

With FIFO life styles, loads more people are saying:" Why do I have to live Perth metro and take all the cr@p that goes with it"

A few of my guys are already moving north and south of Perth, not just out the city but Kalbarri, Coral Bay, Carnavon, Bunners, Albany even into other states where they can fish and enjoy their "off time"

With more regional air now being mooted and FIFO contracts offering flying you to smaller regional towns as well, the pressure will start to move from Perth out. For the good or the bad,,, who knows, but it will happen.
People that moved to Jurien, Cervantees, Peel areas etc... are the ones spewing. They moved away from the city metro areas to get better fishing life styles and now the V5 bans will hurt them. Contract workers who tradionaly take off 15 Nov to 15 Jan will also be p!$$ed off big time...

oh well such is life hey...

Full-time piscatorial-idiot, in The Vines. "It is always in season for old men to learn." Aeschylus (525-456 BC) Greek poet.
Supporter of Meals on Reels

Have to agree with you there,Rio Tinto are doing FiFo out of here[Carnarvon] for about the last 3-4 months and I suspect the others won't be far behind.
At least here we have the fishing stopper with the exception of odd days here and there in the size of SE/SW winds 20-30 knots each day from September thru to the end of February and with limited spots to shelter over at the islands makes living off the stock in the freezer a necessity if one likes fish.

I think Black Betty-50 is 100%correct,and reading the comments above,I can see all the selfinterest involved,The fly in fly outs the holiday period, the economic effect,we can all make reasons for not doing anything,but lets face the hard truths,the fish stockes have been hammerd in the past 15-20years more boats,bigger motors,GPS and sophisticated sounders,I will put my hand up know,I would support a TOTAL moratoriume on the fishing for certain fish during their breeding,that means all pros and recreationals alike.yes it will effect a lot of people, but if the fish stokes collapse due to nothing being done,every one is the looser,I say again,allow the fish time to breed,replace themselves in the eco system and we may all be able to continue fishing in another 10-20 years if nothing is done,what thenjersey