29-06-2005, 07:16 PM
Just to let people know that VRFish and SDFV are looking to try and block this legislation from coming through. There is a bit more than meets the eye to this which includes Fisheries misrepresenting poaching statistics, "scientific" recreational abalone surveys which include waters dry at low tide, extending the closing date of the RIS to 7 December but not telling the public (bet no one told you guys), lack of cooperation, commercial influences, etc. By the way the number of Fisheries Officers has doubled to 80 and still we get hit over the head with unfair enforcement laws.
Oddly enough the 5 abalone bag limit and sixty day seasons is also what was proposed in multiple 'form letter' RIS submissions from people purporting to be recreational fishermen but written by commercial interests.
To cut a long story short a couple of us will be meeting with Freedom of Information officers Tue 5 July in an attempt to expose a bit more before following other courses of action. We were also told from the very first Fisheries meeting we (recreationals only) would have to cop this new change in one form or another (consultation process???) and this was even before the RIS was released to the public. However, with a September 1st 2005 deadline fast approaching it will interesting to see if this is released as a Fisheries Notice and therefore bypass the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee. They can review and prevent legislation from going through on the basis of "unduly trespasses on rights and liberties of the person previously established by law", "is inconsistent with principles of justice and fairness" or "has been prepared in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act or of the guidelines with respect to the statutory rule and the contravention is of a substantial or material nature". Wish us luck on your behalf.
Oddly enough the 5 abalone bag limit and sixty day seasons is also what was proposed in multiple 'form letter' RIS submissions from people purporting to be recreational fishermen but written by commercial interests.
To cut a long story short a couple of us will be meeting with Freedom of Information officers Tue 5 July in an attempt to expose a bit more before following other courses of action. We were also told from the very first Fisheries meeting we (recreationals only) would have to cop this new change in one form or another (consultation process???) and this was even before the RIS was released to the public. However, with a September 1st 2005 deadline fast approaching it will interesting to see if this is released as a Fisheries Notice and therefore bypass the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee. They can review and prevent legislation from going through on the basis of "unduly trespasses on rights and liberties of the person previously established by law", "is inconsistent with principles of justice and fairness" or "has been prepared in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act or of the guidelines with respect to the statutory rule and the contravention is of a substantial or material nature". Wish us luck on your behalf.