Fisheries and Abalone
I went down to the reef north of Ocean Reef marina,weighted for 0700 start time on the shore along with a few others,noticed 1 diver,starting at 0625 to the south a 100meters,the the newer arrivals to our shores probably 15 started at 0645 one fisheries officer walked out and did his best to tell them not to start until 0700 but up the reef to the north 20/30 were at it,these fisheries officers had no chance but I commend them for at least trying,And,what about a duty o care to these fisheries officers,if they have to go on the reefs to try and enforce the rules they could fall over or get a foot caught in a hole we go on the reefs for fun and a feed ,its our risk but this officer did it to do his job.His partner ,a female tried shouting at them,Yea that really worked,(not) last year 2 fisheries stood and watched people start at 0630 (on one of the very low tides )and did nothing.I suggested last year that a siren should be mounted at the popular spots and when you get a license it says clearly (in 5 Asian language) no start until it sounds and you must finish when it sounds again,I dont think its rocket science at least every one will know.I also suggested that Fisheries should allow only correct tools, Not screw drivers as a screw driver will damage the animal and they bleed out,Tills, Brother is making them and a lot of dive shops sell them.it would also be safer than getting a tumble over the reef and shoving a screw driver or carving knife in your leg The fisheries themselves could sell them and the money they collect could be put towards more officers or part time fisheries officers on the reefs.
One group of new Aussies? had 14 undersized abs,and the fisheries bloke got them but while he was explaining things to them a whole bunch of others started throwing back excess and small abs around his back, he could only do so much.
Maybe its ethnically too hard for the minister to grow balls and give some strength to protect the Abs.I got my 20,No escapes this time and only had a bit of claret leaking from my arm,a wave got me while I was trying to get one out of a hole,,Tide was up,swell was down,vis was good and there were a lot less abs than last week jersey
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
I was expecting to be up
I was expecting to be up norrth somewhere, but ended up diving off Carnac Island. Size was probably better north but we went for a squidding session afterwards.
Matt T
Posts: 875
Date Joined: 19/11/07
Abs
Mate - you're always going to have these kind of issues if the laws is not enforced. Fisheries should be out on the reef and they also should stop anyone with abalone fishing gear walking out before 7.00am and charge them with fishing out of season if they do. Yes it is a bloody hard job and there are definately risks being out there - but that's the job and I have nothing but the upmost respect for those that do it well.
I agree with the siren at the hot spots - it would not be too much for them (fisheries) to put a VFO with an air horn at some of the major places that people go. There maybe more legal implications to that one though.
I have gone to the main metro reefs (triggs) the last two sundays and the overall conduct has been quite good. We haven't found it hard at all to get a feed, just gotta have your eyes open and be patient with the white wash.
A few people will pull off every ab they see and check it for size but most will only lever once measured.
I hope that people keep to the rules and enjoy the great fishing reasource that is on our front door step - I know for one I do!
Dreamtime
Posts: 645
Date Joined: 21/09/09
abs
i just got back from up north and noticed on the reef some absolute whoppers and a hell of a lot of em to. good to see, id like to see those inexperienced asians have a go up there lol.
7739ian
Posts: 948
Date Joined: 25/06/08
Yep - bloody Asians
take over limits and undersize - and i can tell you without a doubt tomorrow morning an Aussie i work with will tell the rest of us how he and his large family picked their limit, cooked them on the beach and ate them and did it again and then went home with their limit - One wanker and 60 Abs for the day - oh, and several other family members with a similar count. Yes, a lot Asian people have no respect for the fishing laws and no thought for the future - but they are not orphans.
tangles
Posts: 1367
Date Joined: 17/12/06
easy pickings
easy pickings up here in barri, no swell and super low tides, fisheries dont have to worry up here cos if we see anyone getting more or any buttons we sort em out ourselves! its been abs for dinner every nite now!
Matt T
Posts: 875
Date Joined: 19/11/07
Mate
People that poach undersize / out of season / over limit are all just as fu*ked in the head as each other - no matter what race. Gotta say - today the only people that I saw breaking the rules weren't the race you'd think.
Anyway, no matter what your personal opinions are, a public forum such as this is no place for racial comments. It only causes problems.
Shorty
Posts: 1549
Date Joined: 10/05/08
Its a shame folks get out
Its a shame folks get out there before 7 am , its not a level playing field for others,,the most important thing though is folks don't exceed the limits though, theres no way the fisherys can police thousands on the reef but they can check heaps on the paths back to the carparks, maybe like a random breath testing setup.
Matt T
Posts: 875
Date Joined: 19/11/07
Spot on Shorty
I agree, checks at the paths - RBT style - would do wonders for keeping them honest. Also people would really think twice about breaking the rules if the could see a check point that they had to walk past.
Faulkner Family
Posts: 17866
Date Joined: 11/03/08
it doesnt matter what race
it doesnt matter what race they are , they are just greedy bastards. not fair on all those that do the right thing, i have heard of this kind of thing happening before as they just dont respect the rules and regs, throw the book at them big time
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
Ganged
Posts: 410
Date Joined: 16/02/09
Went to Ocean Reef for the
Went to Ocean Reef for the first time went to trig last year, alot more abs in Ocean Reef. was expecting to see some fisheries for the amount of people taking small ones. Not a good thing but hard to Police i guess.
Still learning
Riaz