07-09-2004, 01:27 AM
hi lbg freak, no offence taken.
my main gripe is that fisheries victoria have a massive commercial fishery in victoria which they are protecting and they don't give a stuff about the recreational fisherman taking a few abs. The fact is that the total harvest by legitimate recreational anglers is no threat to abalone whatsoever. it might be in the order of 2-3% of the total harvest.
fisheries victoria have not invested enough money or staff in enforcement and so of course poaching goes unchecked. i have fished regularly in Victoria for the last 30 years and have never once been inspected by a fisheries officer. fishos (fisheries officers) are as rare as hen's teeth!
some people might say "what do i care?...i don't eat abalone!" but there is nothing to stop Fisheries Victoria from closing more fisheries due to their incompetence. Maybe they will one day close the recreational rock lobster fishery? or even the recreational squid fishery because they are unable to catch poachers of squid.
fisheries enforcement is not rocket science. if there is no one to apprehend the criminals they will continue their illegal activities. in one of the most highly taxed countries in the world we should have a few dollars to invest in protecting fish resources and ensuring they can be accessed by legitimate users.
i was amazed in new zealand at how the approach to fisheries management is so different to here. when you buy a licence in new zealand you effectively earn a slice of the fishery and it is the responsibility of the Fish and Game NZ body to assist you in accessing the fish resource. fisherman feel they are a "client" of the Fish and Game and have a real voice. They can even vote for who should represent them on the fisheries council. i think fisheries management in victoria has been more about screwing anglers rather than assisting them.
just my 2 cents worth. happy to hear contrary opinions.
cheers, glen
my main gripe is that fisheries victoria have a massive commercial fishery in victoria which they are protecting and they don't give a stuff about the recreational fisherman taking a few abs. The fact is that the total harvest by legitimate recreational anglers is no threat to abalone whatsoever. it might be in the order of 2-3% of the total harvest.
fisheries victoria have not invested enough money or staff in enforcement and so of course poaching goes unchecked. i have fished regularly in Victoria for the last 30 years and have never once been inspected by a fisheries officer. fishos (fisheries officers) are as rare as hen's teeth!
some people might say "what do i care?...i don't eat abalone!" but there is nothing to stop Fisheries Victoria from closing more fisheries due to their incompetence. Maybe they will one day close the recreational rock lobster fishery? or even the recreational squid fishery because they are unable to catch poachers of squid.
fisheries enforcement is not rocket science. if there is no one to apprehend the criminals they will continue their illegal activities. in one of the most highly taxed countries in the world we should have a few dollars to invest in protecting fish resources and ensuring they can be accessed by legitimate users.
i was amazed in new zealand at how the approach to fisheries management is so different to here. when you buy a licence in new zealand you effectively earn a slice of the fishery and it is the responsibility of the Fish and Game NZ body to assist you in accessing the fish resource. fisherman feel they are a "client" of the Fish and Game and have a real voice. They can even vote for who should represent them on the fisheries council. i think fisheries management in victoria has been more about screwing anglers rather than assisting them.
just my 2 cents worth. happy to hear contrary opinions.
cheers, glen