Time of Reckoning

Ian 'Barra' Miller

It is certainly evident that fishing on the internet has come of age and at Sportsfish Australia we are very excited about being right here on the cutting edge, helping it happen! Because of websites like ours we now have instant access to important information and expert commentary from many high-profile fishing authorities and personalities.

We also have, as never before, the ability to communicate to like-minded recreational anglers. This may well be the most important aspect of the information super-highway because it has the ability to finally bring rec fishos together at a time when our fisheries most need us.

We are most definitely at a critical point in the history of Australian fisheries. Pressure on the resource is greater than ever before and many stocks are overfished. For years, fish marketing authorities funded with public money sold consumers the idea of having fresh fish on tap. Now that they have so effectively created the demand we are nearing the bottom of the barrel. Commonsense tells me that we can longer take fish meat for granted.

Yet every day we hear horror stories of largely unsustainable fishing methods such as beach hauling, purse-seining, meshing, trapping, trawling and long-lining which continue unabated along our coastline.

All this is in stark contrast to non-commercial fisheries. Bass, golden perch, trout and barramundi not only form the basis of burgeoning freshwater impoundment fisheries that service thousands of anglers and inject serious dollars into local communities, but are also good enough to support many catch-and-release based competitions.

As recreational anglers it is clearly time for us to be heard. And, it would seem that the sleeping giant of recreational fishing is finally stirring. Representatives of our sport, such Recfish, Sunfish, Recfishwest and the recently formed Recreational Fishing Alliance are all working hard on our behalf to ensure we obtain the fair share of the fisheries that we so rightly deserve.

Here at sportsfishaustralia we urge you to support these peak groups. Unless we get organised, fisheries management will continue to be influenced by powerful, well-organised commercial fishing lobby groups. All we really want is a fair go and for fisheries management to see the recreational sector as it is - the more valuable and ecologically sound option!

We understand that fisheries issues are complex and the road ahead will not be easy, but as always, recreational anglers are willing to roll up the sleeves and work to enhance - not simply 'sustain' - our incredibly important resource.

Along the way we hope you also find our site entertaining, informative, and above all, a place you look forward to dropping into at any time, whether it's to use one of our services such as the current sea surface temp charts, or take part in one of our many discussion boards. Tight lines, and remember to support recreational fishing in any way you can.

The future depends on you! By Barra