bluewatermag.com.au 85Tournament News
GAME FISHING ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA
I
t is still very disturbing to
read the misinformation and
fabricated comments from
numerous green groups who
have publicly stated that foreign
fishing fleets are going to be
flooding our Australian waters and
marine parks.
Australian fisheries manage-
ment regimes assure that the total
allowable catch for all fish stocks
are set at ecologically sustainable
levels. Any vessel operating in
Australian waters must follow
Commonwealth fishery rules and
regulations, which do not allow any
vessel, foreign or Australian, to fish
in non-take marine protected areas
or green zones.
The draft Marine Park zones have
been drawn up in consultation
with recreational and commercial
fishers, and consider the interests
of our shared marine resources to
safeguard the interests of all users,
both current and into future generations.
Many Australians frequent these
proposed marine park areas and only
wish to see tourism, as well as cultural,
recreational and economic benefits
delivered to coastal communities. This
would ensure certainty and sustainable
fishing activities along our Australian
coastline. The ideological rantings of
misinformed so-called conservationist
organisations have not been helpful. In
contrast, the GFAA believes that during
the Commonwealth Marine Reserves
Network review process it has contributed
ideas and practical solutions rather than
pursued ideological arguments.
This association hopes that the proposed
Marine Park plans are largely adopted on
the basis of common sense, the benefit
to the nation as a whole, and due to the
importance of access to our waters for the
many who derive pleasure from being in or
on them, or who make a living from them.
A reversion to earlier plans would be
considered a step away from the harmony
that can follow from engagement and
collaboration, rather than polarised
disagreement.
In summary, the GFAA is the national
peak body for recreational gamefishing
and has been proactive in scientific studies
and is very concerned about recreational
anglers being unnecessarily locked out of
a large swathe of Commonwealth waters.It is worthwhile mentioning that State
governments of all political persuasions
are recognising recreational fishing as
an important leisure activity with health
and social activities adding value to the
community.INTERNATIONAL BILLFISH
TOURNAMENT
The GFAA’s Australian International Billfish
Tournament was hosted by the Exmouth
Game Fishing Club in Western Australia
this year, followed soon after by their
popular Gamex tournament, running from
16 to 24 March. As this phenomenal
fishery consistently produces exceptional
fishing for both large and small marlin,
plus sailfish and many other gamefish,
we are sure that everyone who made
the trek to attend these two outstanding
events have had a very memorable and
worthwhile experience. See the next issue
ofBlueWaterfor all the details and photos.WEBSITE
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Association...www.gfaa.asn.au
Doug Sanderson
President, GFAACommonwealth Marine Reserves Review
With Exmouth in Western Australia producing large
numbers of billfish, including this recent 494.3kg blue
marlin, the GFAA’s Australian International Billfish
Tournament, held there in March, was always destined
to be a memorable event.The improved plan for the Coral Sea Marine Park is only one of the Australian Government’s marine reserves
currently under review and due for confirmation – and still being contested by extreme conservation groups.