Funny thing is Steps they will talk about the fish being "theirs" even
though most of them would not know what species they are or their
habitat.
They would not know how to bait a hook...let alone know what species used to be out the back of Rakino back in late 50s early 60s
What is the genuine rec fisher?
For that matter what is a comm fisher when it comes to the gulf... a trawler and crew or a one man band long liner?
HUGE difference
A rec fisher?
The guy who heads out on on a charter every few months, gets a feed plus a little more for the family... good day out and good company
The guy who fishes the rocks around the city, occasionally takes home a feed... just enjoys being out with bit nature ...
The guy with little boat, heads out a handful of times a yr, most cases gets nothing or maybe a couple just legal fish for a feed
The guy with little bigger boat, same as the above.
Or same boat gets out as much as possible , once every 2 or 3 weeks... (GDOGC).. brings home a feed every time , more often than not several feeds for all 3 families. 3 to 5 good fish each.
Then the guys who go wide, the big / trophy fish.. maybe stop pick up a quick feed of snapper (couple each) on the way home.
Notice something?
no mention of binning limits...
To be honest in 6/7 yrs have brought home a limit.. 21 snaps once.. couple KY, just to say he have.
I think most of the above covers most of our rec fishers (?)
We catch far more than the ave rec fisher.. we are out more often , keep records, and while out catch more than most others.
We are (GDOGC).. often we have our min requirement in the bin stil in sight of the ramp.. drop a line while setting up lines rods etc over bit foul before heading out to our spots.
Min requirement = A feed for each family (usually 3)
The rest of the day is Good company day on the water.. what goes in the bin is bonus for neighbours , smoker / freezer (if getting low)
Anything over what we need goes back.. never need to upgrade the bin
Cost each.. gas oil bait gear, about $55/60 each
Fish each, not even reaching limit over , often well over $120 each.
Get comms out beyond the 100m mark....
Lower rec limit to 5 fish.
Up the anti, hugely on illegal fishing.. in man power, rec and comms. Up the penalties.. hugely with Min penalties on any environmental infringement. (stops wet bus tickets)
Cost of enforcement covered by fines. If and when ppl stop infringing, cost of enforcement decreases and visa versa.
And thats where to start.
The ave honest , true joe public rec fisher is NOT the problem and therefore should not be penalised by the bloody PC BS empire building self interested do gooders.
I have resigned myself to the fact that Im part of the last generation that will be able to go out and get a feed, enjoy a day on the water and good company. I feel, sadly this is a privilege that my grandchildren will not have when they have their children...
And the reason is the political BS , the PC BS , the political agenda of our regulators and law makers (not comms at all) and what will tip it all over in the end the bloody dumb do gooders.
I have had a good run..
late 50s thru to mid 70s
Then the last 7 yrs..