Anti-angler plans exposed

Angling lobby group Keep Australia Fishing has been keeping Australia’s recreational fishers informed about the "biggest Aussie angler lockout that the Labor Government, supported by the Greens and anti-fishing lobby groups, are wanting to be implemented through the Commonwealth Marine Park process." 

The proposed Marine Park lockouts will see angling banned in more than 1.3 million square kilometres of our seas -- and so far the Labor Government has not provided any reason why they need to do this.

"You have been asking us whether there are further plans to lock out Aussie anglers from our seas," Keep Australia Fishing states in its recent newsletter. 

"Have the lockout floodgates been opened? Yes," says the lobby group, releasing the attached indicative map assembled from the Government’s proposed Marine Park plans as well as Marine Reserve proposals from environmental groups. 

The map, a potential smoking gun, shows proposed areas of marine reserves where recreational fishing might be banned. 

"The Labor Government has now set the precedent that Aussie anglers will be banned from all future Marine National Parks -- and again -- they have not told us why we need to be banned. Diving, large-scale tourism, cargo and bulk carriers and defense activities will still be allowed in these areas. 

"Does a recreational fisher really pose a greater risk to the marine environment than these activities? We don’t think so," says Keep Australia Fishing.

If implemented these anti-fishing proposals would see major impacts on every Australian's right to go fishing -- in fact, it's hard to see a state or a region where your fishing rights would not be severely eroded.

And there is no need for this. There is no reason why recreational fishers need to be banned from vast areas of marine parks to have a world-leading marine reserve system. There is no science to support these lockouts.

Keep Australia Fishing is calling on all candidates and political Pparties to support its call for an independent comprehensive scientific review of the Marine park process. "Let's see what’s really behind the lockouts and build a marine reserve system based on science -- not politics," it says.

The lobby group needs help to get its message to the political parties and to show that your fishing rights matter.

"It’s obvious that many politicians just don’t want to listen. However, you can help make them listen and take notice by reminding them that there are five million recreational fishers in Australia and we fish and we vote.

"We have just over three weeks days to make a difference. We need to speak up now," it says.

See www.keepaustraliafishing.com.au and head to the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KeepAustraliaFishing. Details are provided for lodging your views of the proposed angling bans.