Electronic Bulletin, Number 2, February 2004

IN THIS EDITION:

Items from January
1: Electronic Bulletin Response
2: Dhufish Workshop
3: Marine Park Planning
4: Boat Ramp Action Group
5: Recfishwest Goodies
6: Other issues

Updates
7: Learmonth Jetty Update
8: Compulsory Boating Safety Training
9: Regular Tagging Update


1: Electronic Bulletin Response
Feedback from the first Electronic Bulletin has been very positive and we hope to be able to continue to bring you these reports as often as possible. Due to high costs we prefer to email these bulletins so if you haven't notified the office of your email address, please do so at recfish@recfishwest.org.au .

We trust that through this newsletter you will be able to gain a better understanding of the good work being done on behalf of all recreational fishers by Recfishwest. Please feel free to pass this bulletin on to any interested parties. The more public awareness these issues the more we can do to represent them.

2: Dhufish Workshop
The first Western Australian Dhufish Workshop has been scheduled for June 2004. Representatives from Recfishwest, Department of Fisheries, Murdoch University, Challenger TAFE and WAFIC will help make this an educational and informative workshop for all those who attend. Details have not been finalised, although the agenda will be based on the following topics:
WA Dhufish Current knowledge
The issues
The future

We will keep you regularly updated through this bulletin on the progress. It is expected that numbers will be limited and a cost in the order of $10 for a full day including tea, coffee and sandwiches and published proceedings. If you are keen to attend you can register your interest by emailing Mark Pagano at the office on mark@recfishwest.org.au or call on (08) 9246 3366.

3: Marine Park Planning
Recfishwest held a meeting with representatives from CALM in January. With Marine Park planning high on our agenda it is not surprising that both groups did not meet eye to eye on many issues. Although we still have a long way to go, the meeting did achieve some favourable outcomes for the recreational fishers.

During the meeting it was agreed that a second tier of consultation was required in the Marine Park planning process due in part to the over representation of local community. It was agreed that for each existing or proposed Marine Park a management body be established consisting of a locally based advisory group and a group based on sectoral representation with members from the wider community, Recfishwest, WAFIC, the Conservation Council, APRA, the Petroleum Industry and other relevant groups.

Furthermore we identified problems with the current system of Marine Park planning and agreed on the need for further rationalisation of the process and improved consultation. There was an indication that a workshop on Marine Park planning could be beneficial to this process and that Recfishwest would have the opportunity for meaningful input into this workshop.

4: Boat Ramp Action Group (BRAG)
Recfishwest has received a request from the Boat Ramp Action Group for support to lobby for a new boat ramp facility at Rous Head. So far the group has gathered over 1000 signatures and is hoping for another 3000 to present to the Legislative Assembly in March. You can give you support by contacting Josephine Muir at jo@theloudspeakerkit.com .

5: Recfishwest Goodies
Good news if you are a Recfishwest member. As a reward for your support Recfishwest will be sending all paid members a small gesture of thanks in the mail as you renew your membership. Keep an eye on the letterbox.

6: Other Issues

• Recfishwest has attended the Capes to Capes Marine Park meeting.
• Recfishwest has sent a submission on the 'Access to Pastoral Land' report.
• The Recfishwest website has been expanded and updated to include regular electronic bulletins.
• Recfishwest is working on new formats for school based fishing clinics. If your high school is interested please contact Con at recfish@recfishwest.org.au or phone on (08) 9246 3366.

Updates
7: Learmonth Jetty
Great news from Exmouth. With support from Recfishwest, the EXRRFAC and other recreational fishers the Shire of Exmouth has agreed to fund the shortfall to refurbish the Learmonth Jetty. The tender was given to a local company that will start work in the next few months. Recfishwest applauds the Shire of Exmouth for realising the benefits of this great recreational fishing icon.

8: Compulsory Boating Safety Training
The response to the Compulsory Boating Safety Training questionnaire has been fantastic. With over 40% of fishers returning their questionnaires, it gives Recfishwest a better understanding of where its members stand on this important issue. Recfishwest has yet to form a position from these results but will publish it the next bulletin and on the Recfishwest website, www.recfishwest.org.au when available.

9: Tagging Update
Recreational fishers are showing their true colours as they come forward to help with research on local finfish. After a request for fishers willing to help out tagging Dhufish, Baldchin Groper, Breaksea Cod and Pink Snapper the office has received many requests to help out. Over future months we will be updating you with interesting facts from the tagging data. One interesting recent result is a pink snapper which has been recaptured from the same spot it was initially tagged, in water more than 80 metres deep!



Recfishwest is a representative body of dedicated and concerned anglers, which is independent of government and which represents all Western Australian fishers at the local, state and federal level. Our fisheries continue to be under threat from pollution and deteriorating water quality. Increasing fishing pressures continue to reduce fish stock numbers and some non-selective, and at times destructive, commercial fishing practices add still further pressure. To try and cope with this pressure fisheries management is changing and Recfishwest is actively participating in these management processes whenever the interests of the recreational fishing community require presentation. Currently Recfishwest is one of the advocates placing submissions before the committee inquiring into Integrated Management of Fisheries.

Decisions are being made now which will affect future fishing opportunities for your children and grandchildren. One of Recfishwest's functions is to represent the needs of these future generations of recreational fishers and to maintain their access to their fair share of the states fish stocks, which are a community resource.
Specifically Recfishwest is your public voice whenever decisions which affect our fisheries, or access to them, are being made.

If you are interested in becoming a member of Recfishwest please contact the office on (08) 9246 3366, email to recfish@recfishwest.org.au or apply at the Recfishwest website, www.recfishwest.org.au



This page last updated on February 2004.