17 September 2013

Snapper Bag Limit Decision Misses Real Point

Although recreational fishers may be breathing a small sigh of relief at today’s revised snapper catch announcements, the changes are in reality little consolation, says UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne.

Mr Dunne says while he is pleased the Government listened to a very small extent to the concerns of the recreational fishing sector, today’s announcement is at its most charitable interpretation no more than a “stay of execution” for the recreational sector.

“Recreational quotas are still being cut – even if it is by less than first proposed.

“That simply proves the current system is flawed, as the recent debate has shown.

“Even now, the brunt of the changes will be borne by recreational fishers, not the commercial sector.

“What is required is a more fundamental change of approach to prevent similar situations occurring in the future,” he says.

Mr Dunne says UnitedFuture will campaign for a designated recreational fishing right to ensure that the interests of recreational fishers are no longer considered secondary to those of the commercial sector.

“It is wrong that recreational bag limits are reduced, while no changes are made to the commercial sector.

“UnitedFuture says there is a legitimate place for both recreational and commercial fishing interests, and, provided prudent management plans are followed, there is no reason why the two sectors cannot peacefully co-exist,” he says.

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