Media Releases

South Australian Government Fails its Recreational Anglers

South Australia is one of the few states that is letting it’s anglers down by not having a progressive Recreational Angling Policy.

Before the 2005 election SARFAC wrote to all major political parties requesting details of their recreational angling policy, but were ignored by all with the exception of the Australian Democrats.

With a state election to be held in March 2010, SARFAC again wrote to all political parties asking for their recreational angling policies by July 30, 2009 so that we could post them to this site for your information.

The Liberal Party -

“Agriculture, Food & Fisheries 19 Election 2010 Fisheries
Commercial fishing, recreational fishing (including charter fishing) and aquaculture are becoming increasingly important to South Australia’s economy and the wellbeing of many of our citizens.
In 2008-09 seafood, both wild catch and aquaculture, contributed around $820 million to SA’s gross revenue. Of that, $331 million was exported overseas and another $105 million went interstate.20
The largest contributing sectors were Southern Bluefin Tuna and Lobsters, which constituted over 80% of all finished seafood exports from SA.21 These two species are under pressure and South Australia faces significant challenges in managing fisheries into the future.
While commercial fishing is a major export industry for South Australia, recreational fishing, the largest participant sport in Australia, must also be reflected in government policy.
Ten years ago the State Liberals acknowledged the importance of protecting our unique and vast marine environment which included maintaining its vital biodiversity and its function as a valuable food source. We initiated a process to examine the risks to, and sustainability of, the state’s marine resources and environment.

Under Labor
The Labor government took over that process following its election in 2002, but in the seven years since, has failed to complete a thorough, detailed report to identify species or habitats at risk.
Instead, it has legislated itself broad reaching powers and begun a process of rezoning different stretches of coastal waters in order to allow, and disallow, a variety of activities.
However, it has been established that the main threats to the state’s marine environment are consequences of land-based activities, such as pollution from outflows. Labor’s Marine Parks policy does nothing to reduce these risks. Rather, Labor appears to suggest that commercial and recreational fishermen present the greatest risks.
Just how the government proposes to administer this massive area remains unstated. However, given that departments are being asked to cut budgets and staff, it would seem extremely difficult, if not impossible, to effectively police almost half the state’s coastline.

Agriculture, Food & Fisheries 20 Election 2010
Commercial fishing
Labor policy on Marine Parks has put at risk what are considered some of the best managed commercial fisheries in the world. The Labor proposal on Marine Parks has clouded the future of this industry, creating uncertainties which will stifle investment and growth.
Professional fishermen have a genuine concern for the continued health and viability of our marine environment, yet Labor proposes to make changes which ignore experienced advice.
Labor dissolved the seven Fisheries Management Committees and established a Fisheries Council of SA. The Minister, at his discretion, can appoint Advisory Councils to address specific matters of interest, but individual fishery areas no longer have a formal and direct channel for communication with the government.
The Liberal Party believes there is a need for each region to have formal, regular input into management and policy matters and for the recreational fishing sector to have appropriate representation on that council.
A State Liberal Government will:

Re-establish the Fisheries Management Committees for each fishing zone.
Ensure that the statutory consultation mechanism, the Marine Parks Council, is in fact the body “responsible for ensuring that environmental, social and economic factors are taken into consideration”.22
Consider amendments to the Act to ensure that future changes to boundaries and zones must be agreed to by Parliament.
Ensure transparency in consultation and the reporting of outcomes.
Review the Labor Government’s process thus far, including the outer boundaries as proclaimed.
Consult all stakeholders in order to ensure all economic and social impacts of new policy are fully considered.
Develop long-term strategic plans with seafood, recreational and charter fishing sectors.
Increase penalties for illegal fishing and selling on black markets.
Encourage the activities of community based groups such as FishWatch and other volunteer groups.
Improve the monitoring and control program for introduced aquatic pests.
Lobby the Federal Government for support of the tuna industry.
Review the cost recovery process for commercial fisheries.

Agriculture, Food & Fisheries 21 Election 2010
Recreational fishing
The State Liberals acknowledge the enormous contribution that the recreational fishing community makes to the State’s economy - particularly the regional economy.
Labor’s failure to engage in meaningful consultation and to operate transparently as it undertakes the process of zoning South Australian waters for different activities has, understandably, attracted the wrath of this community.
The State Liberals believe existing legislation is adequate to protect our marine environment, but that we do need proper scientific investigation of our coastal environment. This will allow us to clearly identify what and where the actual risks are, if any, and the implementation of strategies to manage those risks.
In doing so, we will listen closely to advice from the community on perceived risk areas and species and will seek community support in managing those risks.
A State Liberal Government will:

Strive to reach a balance between protecting the marine environment and encouraging sustainable recreational fishing practices.
Seek to ensure any restrictions imposed on recreational fishing for environmental reasons are scientifically based.
Consider opportunities for the Regional Development Infrastructure Fund to assist in the provision of a Recreational Fishing Development Program. This program could potentially address shore-based fishing opportunities, stock enhancement of freshwater species, impoundment fishing, artificial reef deployment, and accessibility for disabled people
Work with PIRSA to provide information to anglers about where fishing is permitted in metropolitan and regional waters.

Access to reservoirs

We will consult with the recreational fishing and boating community and SA Water to discuss possible options to improve the future management of reservoirs, including options to allow access for recreational fishermen. A State Liberal Government will:

Maintain close communication with the recreational fishing community and SA Water.
Utilise the most up to date scientific advice to explore environmentally sustainable access to offline reservoirs and storages.
Investigate options for restocking dams and storages.

The Liberal Party will pursue policies that ensure the right of recreational fishermen, from the young and old who walk along the state’s jetties and foreshores, to those who ply our waters in boats, to pursue the nation’s most popular participant sport – recreational fishing"

The Labor Party to date (August 26, 2009), have advised that “ Completion of a recreational fishing policy statement is still under consideration and the Government is unable to meet our suggested timeframe of 31 July”.

WITH 351 000 PASSIONATE, DEDICATED AND COMMITTED ANGLERS OUT THERE, WE COULD BE FORGIVEN FOR THINKING THAT OUR POLITICAL STRATEGISTS WOULD BE LINING UP TO COURT OUR VOTES.

Apparently not !

We will keep you informed if we hear anything more.

Graham Woollard

Chairman and Life Member