Maybe, just maybe, there is a faint light on at the end of the tunnel
In our local paper The Mandurah Mail page 7 there is a half page article titled "Fish licence buyout from liberal plan". This article is written by cam Findlay.
The article states that a state liberal government would begin buying back commercial fishing licences based in the peel Harvey Estuary if re-elected in March, with the aim to further secure fish and crab stocks.
The article then waffles on about what a great thing this would be for the area and states that there had been a detailed process of communication between himself (local candidate Zac Kirkup liberal) government departments the local fish industry and RECFISHWEST.
Mr Daimian Bell (President of the Mandurah Licenced Fishermans Association) said this had been a long time coming. About ten years.
The article is well worth a read I think there is a mistake from some one when they say the whiting industry was sustainable. I don't think so if the pros are catching Y F W at the rate they were.
I have also read that if the pro catch was above a certain tonnage then a review of the Y F W stocks would be under taken well that limit has been exceeded and no study carried out.
The Sunday times had an article some time back about fish stocks also in the estuary, nothing came from it.
http://fishwrecked.com/forum/warning-bell-sounded-all-fishos-hear-it-well
Jadeo
Posts: 269
Date Joined: 08/06/15
Totally agree
They definitely can't keep catching whiting at the rate they are. I think this year we are starting to see the effects of the rapid rise in tonage taken. I do feel sorry for pros on one hand as it is there occupation and way of life, but some things just aren't sustainable. If the buy back doesn't eventuate a quota system should need to be seriously looked at. I love fishing in my backyard and hope to still have the fishery there for many generations to come. Another issue here in mandurah is the amount of buckets I have tipped out lately with undersized crabs in them. They plead ignorance when you approach them, then they have Gaul to abuse you while they have a crab gauge in there hand. Go figure! Poor fisheries are pushed to there max and just can't respond to every call.
Auslobster
Posts: 1901
Date Joined: 03/05/08
Key words in Meg's post...
..."if re-elected in March". Don't get too excited about that light at the end of the tunnel. Every pollie, or potential pollie, is a hero just before an election.
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
OOh you are so right
You are so very right unfortunately, how does that ditty go again, friends romans countrymen lend me your ears for I can deliver you the world....yeah right!
quadfisher
Posts: 1146
Date Joined: 28/09/10
Stay away from the light.
Number 1 , I thought you had a near death experience, and had come back to tell us all theres a fishermans heaven , beer rivers full of fish and naked women,
with no bag limits or sizes!
Moving on , I agree poor old Mandurah is groaning under the wieght of population and carrying Perth as well , this year quiet crabbing spots for scooping
that you barely saw a soul at during the week in years past, now look like hay st mall even at 5.30am, so the crabs are in demand.
Whiting and mullet I dont know much about , but if the pro association is happy about buy backs I can only assume its getting harder to catch and make a living.
quadfisher
Oldbull
Posts: 175
Date Joined: 21/09/15
as long as there is a corresponding reduction in the total take
If the total catch remains the same divided by remaining commercial fishers then it does nothing for rec fishing. If that happens and the money to buy out the commercials comes from recfishwest then that is not on.
Bryce Day
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 01/06/15
They are making sanctuary
They are making sanctuary zones @ shelf as well.
tot
Posts: 1149
Date Joined: 31/01/10
Rumour ?
Who is talking about that Bryce? Any links to read up on ?
Reverse cycle a/c supply and install - Ducted and wall splits
Bryce Day
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 01/06/15
South-west Commonwealth
South-west Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network