2007 Recfishwest Annual General Meeting

Held on Friday 19 October 2007 in the Bridge Room, Fremantle Sailing Club, "Success Harbour" Marine Terrace, Fremantle


Contents of this page.

Notice of the Annual General Meeting

Agenda for the 2007 AGM

Recfishwest Board 2006/2007 and Professional Officers

Proposed membership fee structure

Background information - election of Board Members

Minutes of the previous year's 2006 Annual General Meeting

Minutes of the 2007 Annual General Meeting

Link to a separate page:- Recfishwest Annual Report 2006/2007

Notice of 2007 Annual General Meeting

Dear member of Recfishwest

As the Executive Director of Recfishwest I have great pleasure in advising that the Recfishwest Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Friday 19 October in the "Bridge Room" at the Fremantle Sailing Club on Marine Terrace, Fremantle commencing at 7.30pm.

Nominations for positions on the Recfishwest Board of Management, are now being called and will close on 21 September, unless there are insufficient nominations.

The AGM will include the elections to fill three Public Board Member positions on the Recfishwest Board.

The AGM also provides the opportunity for Recfishwest members to discuss any matters of relevance regarding recreational fisheries management and perhaps share some refreshments at the conclusion of the formal proceedings.

PUBLIC BOARD MEMBER ELECTIONS

At the 2007 AGM there will be vacancies for three Public Board Members for two-year terms. These vacancies follow the completion of term of Dr Howard Gill, Keith Tocas and Craig Bibra. All are eligible to renominate.

An election is required to determine who shall fill these vacancies. Nominations to fill these vacant positions are open to Public Members of Recfishwest.

The three candidates with the greatest number of votes will be elected to a two year term. A further casual vacancy for one year may arise if the Chairman of Recfishwest is elected from amongst the Public Board Members at the first Board meeting following the AGM.

ONLY financial members will be entitled to vote for Board members at the AGM, so please renew your membership if required. We will have contacted you separately if your membership is due to expire before the AGM.

The Ballot papers will be forwarded separately.

GENERAL BOARD MEMBERS

Nominations have been called for General Board Members from the relevant Associations. The current representatives are in brackets:

I would encourage all Recfishwest members to consider nominating for the Board.

Yours sincerely

Frank B Prokop
Executive Director
10 August 2007

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Agenda:- RFW Annual General Meeting 2006/2007

1. Welcome

2. Apologies

3. Acceptance of Minutes of 2006 Annual General Meeting (AGM)

4. Adoption of Annual Report, Financial Statements and Auditor's Report

5. Appointment of Auditor

6. General Business

    6.1    Fee structure

    6.2    Nominations to the Board of Management

7. Close formal part of the AGM

8. Reports

    8.1    Chairman's report

    8.2    Executive Director's report

Questions from the floor will be taken once the AGM agenda items have been covered.

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Board of Management as at 1st August 2007

Professional Officers

Frank B Prokop Executive Director
Kane Moyle Principal Policy Officer
Con Costa Administrative Officer
Yvette Guy Administrative Assistant and Fishing Clinic Coordinator

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AGENDA ITEM 6.1 Fee Structure

The Constitution describes that member fees shall be set at the Annual General Meeting. Notice of the Annual General Meeting and papers must be forwarded no less than 14 days before the meeting itself.

Public Members:

Proposed to change membership fee to $20.00 GST inclusive.

Family member: $40.00 for two adults and two children living at home. Two votes at the AGM or Special General Meeting per family membership.

Pensioner (over 65), junior members (under 18): $10.00 GST inclusive.

General Members:

Change existing fee to $75.00 GST inclusive plus minimum of 10 additional names and membership fee at $200.00 (No net change to overall fee).

Associate Members:

Category 1 Businesses with a commercial interest in recreational fishing - $275.00 GST inclusive.

Category 2 Fishing Clubs with more than 50 members - $60.00 GST inclusive plus provision of three names as members

Category 3 Fishing Clubs with fewer than 50 members - $40.00 GST inclusive plus provision of two names as members.

Category 4 Corresponding members (by invitation) - This category to be changed to School Members. $20.00 minimum for all schools receiving a fishing clinic. May be in the name of the school or an individual but will require an email address.

For the consideration of the Members of Recfishwest.

(Members present at the AGM voted for these fees, which will be effective immediately.)

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AGENDA ITEM 6.2 Nominations to the Board of Management

Nominations received;

Five nominations have been received for the three (3) two year term Public Board Member positions available.

A further casual vacancy for one year may arise if at the first Board meeting following the AGM, the Chairman of Recfishwest is elected from amongst the Public Board Members. The Board will determine how to fill this position at that time.

BACKGROUND SHEET

Following is background information on Nominees seeking a position on the Recfishwest Board of Management for 2007/2008

There are three Public Board Member vacancies for two year terms and a potential one year term to backfill a position if the chairman elected is a Public Board Member.

The three candidates who receive the highest number of votes will be elected as Public Board Members for a two year term. Unsuccessful candidates will be placed on an eligibility list, one of whom may be chosen to backfill the Chairman's position.

The following information has been supplied by the candidates to assist in making a selection for the Board positions. The order of information has been determined by a random draw.

Mark Morris (Elected at AGM 19 October 2007.)

Mark has thirty years experience in Education and Training with seven years in charge of the management of the assets, resources, budgets and staffing of the Design & Technology faculty of a Senior High School.

Mark has been a very successful tournament bream angler, including representing Western Australia at the national championships. Mark also enjoys other forms of angling.

Together with proven management and communication skills (particularly with the parent community) Mark brings to the board a strong passion for fishing, sustainable fisheries management tempered with a limit-your-catch philosophy plus a respected and informed insider's view of the rapidly expanding catch & release tournament scene. Mark is also a contributor to Western Australian Fishing Magazine including a recent technical article on the construction of bream lures.

Jamie Chester (Elected at AGM 19 October 2007.)

Jamie Chester holds a Bachelor of Science from UWA where he majored in marine biology and zoology. He has written over 50 articles for Western Angler magazine as well as national fishing magazines. Many of these articles have focussed on the biology and politics behind fisheries management in Western Australia. This experience will be invaluable to the Board of Recfishwest.

Jamie has grown up on the ocean and fishing is his first love. He enjoys all types of fishing and is highly experienced in both beach and boat forms of the sport. Jamie brings scientific understanding, passion and a fresh approach representing the next generation on the Board of Recfishwest.

Steven Gill Received the 4th highest number of votes at AGM 19 October 2007, and was chosen to fill a position on the RFW Board when the Board Chairman elected at the November meeting was a Public Board Member.

Steven is a very keen recreational angler and diver. His secret passion is fly fishing and has spent a great deal of his free time travelling and fishing within Australia and around the world.

Steven has extensive experience in the fishing industry in a range of different roles. The majority of Steven's working life has been spent working with the fishing industry in research roles. More recently, he has had industry advocate roles as the Executive Officer of the NSW Seafood Industry Council and the Master Fish Merchants Association of Australia.

Steven will bring a different perspective to the Board of Recfishwest and his experience with the commercial sector can be an opportunity for the Board. Steven can assist the recreational fishing sector better manage the challenges that lay ahead particularly Marine Park Planning and environmental threats like climate change.

Recently, after 5 years of service, Steven resigned from the position as the Executive Director of the Western Rock Lobster Council to a new position outside of the fishing industry. Steven believes that he still has a great deal to offer and wants to be involved with fishing in a voluntary capacity.

Howard Gill (Re-Elected at AGM 19 October 2007.)

Howard has been a keen angler since 1959 when his grandfather gave him a rod and reel and took him fishing. On that first trip he caught a small trout - which at 10 inches, his grandfather deemed far too small to keep and explained why small fish should be returned alive.

Howard is a research scientist with over 20 years postgraduate research experience in fish and fisheries biology. He is currently working as a co-investigator on a Fisheries Research Development Corporation (FRDC) funded study investigating the biology and targeting of aggregations of Samson fish off the metropolitan coast. Howard is currently the Chairman of the Freshwater Fish and Environment Advisory Committee, a group that considers and promotes research into all aspects pertinent to freshwater fish and fisheries in Western Australia.

Having spent most of his life fishing for pleasure, and also having been fortunate enough to work on fish for the last 20 odd years, he feels that it is about time he put something back into the sport and environments he loves. Howard has been a Board member of Recfishwest for four years.

Peter Blyth

Peter Blyth is a keen fisherman and has fished in Australian waters from Gabo Island in New South Wales around to Leeman in Western Australia for many years.

Peter is currently a member of the Metropolitan Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee. He also is a lecturer at TAPE in aquaculture subjects.

During Peter's working life he came to Western Australia to manage a printing and packaging operation employing 265 people. Following this he owned and ran one of the larger aquarium dealerships in Western Australia. Peter has been backfilling the position on the Board last year due to a public board member being elected as Chairman.

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MINUTES OF PREVIOUS YEAR'S 2006 RECFISHWEST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Held on Friday 27th October 2006 at the Bridge Room, Fremantle Sailing Club, "Success Harbour" Marine Terrace, Fremantle

WELCOME The Chairman, Des Wood declared the meeting open at 7.35pm and welcomed all those present. Members were provided with a folder containing the agenda, Minutes of 2005 Annual General Meeting, nominee's background sheet and Recfishwest Annual Report. The Chairman gave a brief outline of what would be covered and advised that once the formal proceedings of the AGM had been dealt with, questions would then be taken.

Present:

Recfishwest staff:

APOLOGIES: Apologies were received from:

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF 2005 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)

The Chairman called for discussion and ratification of minutes from the Annual General Meeting of 21st October 2005. Allan Bevan moved that the minutes of the AGM of 21st October 2005 be accepted as a true and accurate record of proceedings. This was seconded by Craig Bibra. All were unanimously in favour.

ADOPTION OF ANNUAL REPORT, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND AUDITOR'S REPORT

The Executive Director reported on Recfishwest's financial position during the past twelve months and directed members to the audited financial statements which formed part of the Recfishwest Annual Report.

Members were invited to make comment or question any matters pertaining to the Annual Report including the Financial Statements and Auditor's Report. There were no questions regarding the content of the Annual Report from the floor.

Barry Rowlands moved that the 2005/2006 Annual Report including the Financial Statements and the Auditor's Report be accepted. This was seconded by Howard Gill. All were unanimously in favour.

APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR

The Executive Director advised that Recfishwest had used the services of Mr John Bingham for auditing purposes for a number of years. Mr Bingham continues to provide an adequate and efficient service.

Doug Fisher moved that Mr John C Bingham be re-appointed as Recfishwest Auditor for a further period of twelve months subject to negotiation of a fixed fee. This was seconded by Keith Tocas. All were unanimously in favour.

GENERAL BUSINESS

6.1 Fee structure

The Chairman explained that the Recfishwest Board had proposed that the membership fee structure remains unchanged for all categories of membership. The schedule of current membership fees for each of the categories was tabled.

Peter Blyth moved that the Recfishwest fee structure remain unchanged. This was seconded ]by Craig Bibra. All were unanimously in favour.

6.2 Nominations to the Board of Management

The Executive Director explained that there were vacancies for four Public Board Members for two year terms. These vacancies followed the completion of term of Norman Halse, Des Wood, Craig Leatt-Hayter and Allan Bevan.

One additional Special General Member would be chosen from either the Fishing Tackle Association (WA) or the Charter Boat Owners and Operators of WA Association. A further two year term position for a Public Board Member who may be a member of a fishing club, would also be contested. The candidates with the greatest number of votes would be elected to a two year term.

It was suggested that the Executive Director, Administrative Officer and Administrative Assistant fill the roles of Returning Officer and Scrutineers, respectively. Once voting by members present had been completed and ballots placed into the ballot box. The Returning Officer and Scrutineers left the room so that votes could be tallied.

Once votes had been counted, the Executive Director announced that Norman Halse, Craig Leatt-Hayter, Allan Bevan and Des Wood had been elected to serve two year terms on the Recfishwest Board of Management and that the Australian Fishing Tackle Association-WA had been elected as the Special General Member for a two year term.

The Executive Director explained that if at the board meeting following the AGM, the Chairman is elected from amongst the Public Board Members. This would give rise to a casual one year term vacancy. If this situation did occur then the position could be filled by the unsuccessful candidate who had been placed on an eligibility list.

7. CLOSE FORMAL PART OF AGM

The Chairman declared the formal part of the meeting closed.

8. REPORTS

8.1 Chairman's Report

The Chairman referred to his report which was tabled as part of the Annual Report. He informed members that it had been an extremely busy year with Recfishwest representing our constituents in an ever increasing number of issues relating to recreational angling including access to and sustainability of the resource.

The Chairman reported that there is a pressing and significant need for Recfishwest to firmly establish consultative representation throughout regional areas of Western Australia. This will be an immediate priority and action is in train now to achieve this as quickly as possible. The Chairman also advised that Ross Winstanley's report on Consultative Structures would be available shortly.

Recfishwest has made comprehensive submissions on each of the Marine Park proposals and has intensively lobbied the relevant Ministers and Shire Councils as well as other interested parties to ensure that our submissions are given due recognition.

The Chairman welcomed the newly appointed "Fishing Clinic Co-ordinator", Michelle Jennings and her excellent work in conducting fishing clinics throughout the State which have continued to be an outstanding success. The Chairman thanked Michelle along with Craig Bibra and Kirn Burton for their invaluable assistance.

8.2 Executive Director's Report

The Executive Director referred to his tabled report and spoke on a number of issues which Recfishwest had dealt with during the year. He informed Members that he represented Western Australia and Recfish Australia on the National Oceans Advisory Group (NOAG) and had recently been appointed to the Board of Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.

The Executive Director informed members of the depth release device developed by Garry Lilley and which is promoted by both Recfishwest and ANSA, which has assisted greatly in improved survival.

The Executive Director informed members that Recfishwest Board Member Allan Bevan won an awards trip to the USA during July of this year and also Board Member Norman Halse was successful in winning an award for services to recreational fishing.

Members were advised that the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) was recently given powers under new Commonwealth legislation to establish submarine protection zones within a one nautical mile closure either side of the cable. Mark Pagano - Principal Policy Officer has been appointed to this committee as a member of the WA Protection Zone Advisory Committee.

The Executive Director informed members that Mark Pagano attended the Water Forum in Harvey to discuss Recreational Freshwater Fishing. During the year Recfishwest ran a total of 73 fishing clinics across the state and were successful in gaining funding from the Commonwealth Recreational Fishing Community Grants Scheme. We continued to receive support from the State Government and Healthway for these clinics where more than 2,000 students have been able to participate from Esperance to Kununurra.

The Executive Director also held a fishing clinic at the property of Peter Rogers, Department of Fisheries with involvement of 34 children and 20 adults and was very well received.

Recfishwest undertook strategic planning exercises and proposed changes to the constitution to allow one public Board member who is also a member of a fishing club. It was also proposed to allow one of the Charter Boat Owners Association of WA or the Australian Fishing Tackle Association (WA) to become a Board member with the other group to be a member of the policy development committee or other part of the Recfishwest process.

Questions:

Kim Burton raised the question of Recfishwest regional representation. The Executive Director informed members that this item has been discussed at length by the Recfishwest Board. It was raised in a Consultative Structures document produced by Ross Winstanley and a number of options are being considered.

Kim Burton queried the number of Recfishwest members. The Executive Director informed members that there has been an increase in the fee paying, along with non fee paying corresponding categories of membership. Kane Moyle has been offered a regular column in the Hotbite magazine. Recfishwest receives free advertising for membership in lieu of payment.

Fees from lecturing at Curtin University by Mark Pagano and Frank Prokop are paid directly to Recfishwest.

David Findlay raised the issue of succession planning for the recreational fishing sector. Recfishwest agrees that there is a lack of young people entering leadership roles in recreational fishing sector and in an effort to remedy the situation has applied to the Commonwealth Recreational Fishing Community Grants Scheme to fund a Future Leaders Course for the under 30s age group.

Barry Rowland commented that there seemed to be a lot of attention being given to recreational boat fishers and comparatively little consideration for shore based fishers. The ED suggested that recreational boat fishers were under a fair amount of scrutiny because of their ability to reach a greater area of the resource. However it was pointed out that Recfishwest had committed substantial amount of resources on issues which included, Cape to Capes Marine Park Management Plan, Rottnest Island Marine Management Strategy, South West and South Coast salmon as well as South Coast Estuary issues which all affected shore based fishers.

The Executive Director informed members that the Shire of Capel proposed in their Beach Access Plan to exclude recreational fishing from large stretches of coastline and place further restrictions on vehicle beach access for recreational users.

After Recfishwest's submission, the Shire of Capel decided not to implement the proposed restrictions on shore based anglers and will in fact remove existing restrictions on beach fishing in the Capel Shire.

All were thanked for their attendance and were then invited to enjoy some refreshments at the downstairs bar.

NOTE: Above are the MINUTES OF PREVIOUS YEAR'S 2006 RECFISHWEST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Held on Friday 27th October 2006 at the Bridge Room, Fremantle Sailing Club, "Success Harbour" Marine Terrace, Fremantle

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MINUTES OF 2007 RECFISHWEST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Minutes of the 2007 Recfishwest Annual General Meeting, held 19 October 2007 will be presented to members at the 2008 Annual General Meeting and Election of Board Members

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This page prepared on 4 September 2007, last updated on 21 August 2008.