I read a recent media release about a project undertaken by the state government where they will be putting tracking chips in to Dusky Flathead in the gippsland lake. This worked very well on the Bream but icant help but think that all the data collected will only end up hurting rec fishos in the end. I would like to know what every one else thinks. the release is on the DPI Vic web site under media releases. My past experience has shown that the state gov has changed limits or ban fishing in ereas after the completion of thease surveys.

Personally I would like to see bag limits/size limits made applicable to actual waterways not states or countries or teritories. If these sorts of studies can be used in this way it would benefit both fish/waterways/environment and the people that fish there. For example bass in impoundments cannot breed and therefore size limits to their river bretheren should be different. Some waterways fish so much better for a variety of reasons for a variety of different species than others and should maybe have certain restrictions relaxed a little. Other waterways that fish poorly for certain species or only produce small examples of that species should maybe have their restrictions tightend for the benefit of the fish and future fisherpeople. History has examples of fishing restrictions/bans that have benefited us and the fish and if the correct powers that be do it correctly and not make snap decisions then I'm all for it.

I agree but its my past experiences that worry me, for example 12 years back the Vic Gov and the DPI ran a servey to better understand rec fishos and there favorite fishing spots and all were happy to ablige but in the end 5 years back after the data had been sorted the marine parks come in and 96% of the locations listed as favorites were included in the fishing closer for marine parks thats got me worryed. Im all for preservation and limits to help our species grow and populate but im not for ban, call it once bitten twice shy. I want to see the best fishing posible and in a small way are prpared to sacrifice but i know the Greens want an out right ban on fishing across the board and im not happy with that so i wont throw causion to the wind

Yeah the Greens have their heart in the right place but in my opinion they can make some very radical and impractical decisions and to ban fishing outright would not do their cause any good whatsoever. it is the REAL fisherpeople that have a love of the environment because they experience it on a regular basis and want to protect it. But unfortunatley we are dealing with politics here and I have no idea how to influence or reason with these people. I just have to trust that the right people are looking after such issues and then go catch my next fish, while I can!

I understand your caution to such a process John, Providing information to these people you never know if it will be used for good or evil.

One good story about microchipping I have is a couple of years ago in our local waterway, microchips were put into half a dozen crabs to catch a guy taking crabs from the pro's traps, they knew he was doing it but could'nt catch him. He was taking females and all and pushing peoples livelyhoods the edge. Now I dont particularly like the whole idea of pro fishing but for someone to think they have a right to take everything and push peoples livelyhoods to bankruptcy is just not on.

So I guess sometimes these things can be used for good and not evil.

Totaly agree Jamie but i do believe its time for the rec fish ferternity aust wide to demand that the Government put in place some changes including a public run advisory commity to over see comercial fishing practices and government legislation and for that commity to make decitions on behalf of the smaller commity who represents there own district not like the currant Gov paid fishing representitives.

Its a great Idea John and one that could possibly work but it would from the sounds of it involve a majority if not all volunteer based commity members and would be a hell of a job in convincing the powers that be that we need this and the whole setting up of the idea. I am involved with surf life saving here on the central coast and it is run wholly by volunteers and believe me it can be a shambles at times. lots of decisions are made by people with no idea about politics, business and or the other necessary skills to run such an adventure. In saying this if the right people were appointed in the correct positions within this commity it does have legs.

Your spot on, Ive tryed to make it happen down here with only a small amount of success bit i slowly work at it. Ive worked in the fishing industry for over 15 years now and even with the pull i have its still very hard to get the powers to be to stick there neck out and have a go, but i will keep pushing the barrow until i cant push no more. I only do this because i believe that the person who no's it best is the person that runs, works or cares for it just like in industy

I have continued this discussion in a new Forum I created called Political Arena (Forums)

Howdy fellas, having just read the post about chipping Dusky's it reminds me of when I asked our local branch (Batemans Bay,NSW)of the fisheries dept about tagging Dusky flathead in our estuary system(Clyde River).The local know nothings looked at me as if I'd just trodden in dog shit,so as you can guess no luck there - I rang the main office in Sydney asking if they can supply me with the material to tag flathead in the local area, only to be told that they(fisheries) weren't in the least interested in tagging fish (any-anytime) in this area (Sth Coast,NSW). Then came talk of a marine pk, do the right thing (I wish), fill out the info pack like many other well meaning fisho's and whammo a marine pk that took 75% of the best fishing this area has to offer and their reasoning ??? EXTENSIVE(crap) GOVERNMENT STUDIES. My wife and I used to fish every Sat. before the marine pk & never saw anything like a scientific study happening at anytime.You can bet a lying politicians pimple infestered tongue that I'll be dead 50yrs before we vote labour again. The saying - labour & greens, their mission,to ban rec fishin is very,very true, unfortunately.

FISHING - A LIFE CHOICE