PROPOSED POLICY DRAFT

The Fishing Party wishes to:

1.      Adopt a responsible approach to the Management of the Fishery.

As to Inshore Beam & Otter

Trawling:

i.)      It is the policy of The Fishing Party that inshore beam & otter trawling are the single most destructive and wasteful methods of commercial fishing and are not sustainable. The Fishing Party, recognising the current levels of investment and human resources involved in this industry will work towards a 10-year plan for the complete fazing out of inshore beam & otter trawling. There is no point in fisheries officers searching a few anglers boats for undersize fish when offshore trawlers are dumping countless thousands of juvenile fish as by-catch everyday.

ii.)   The Fishing Party with due environmental consideration supports the use of aquaculture techniques to progress within the timeline of the wild trawl closures to meet domestic demand for this fishery.       

2.  Recognise the need for all stakeholders to co-exist in a well-managed, ecologically sustainable, saltwater fishery.

3.  Recognise the sporting, economic and social values of the recreation industry.

Commercial fishery for Billfish:

i.)   It is the policy of The Fishing Party that a blanket ban on the commercial exploitation of all billfish species be put into place and that the export of these species cease forthwith.

ii.) It is the policy of The Fishing Party that all billfish species be deemed recreational only and that tag and release be the overriding principle for all recreational fishers targeting these species.

iii.) Marlin stocks are a prized economic asset of which should be held in trust by the government of the day for future generations. Overfishing is currently destroying their economic value to coastal towns.

4.   Represent the WHOLE fishing community at Government level with any Policymaking or Policy changes.

5.   Represent the interests of freshwater stakeholders on the continuing improvement for the inland fishery.

6.  Continue to push for Environmental reform, Pollution Management and Habitat restoration.

7.  Encourage all to be Responsible for sustaining this resource.

Fisheries exports:

i.)   While recognising the economic benefits of strong export industries to our nation it is the policy of The Fishing Party that all commercial fisheries commit a minimum of 60% of the catch of all fisheries to the domestic market. The long stated position of the commercial fishing industry that they are in the business of providing fresh seafood for the general public is to be adhered to.

ii.)   The Fishing Party is opposed to the massive export of our natural resources while the general public is forced to endure inferior imported products because international demand has forced the prices of our own seafood beyond the reach of the average Australian.

iii.)   We must avoid repeating the fisheries mismanagement experience of the Northern Hemisphere, where overfishing has helped create marine deserts and sent fishing fleets to our waters.

8.     Push for a WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT approach for the management of this resource.

9.   Keep the Fishing community well informed on issues affecting this resource

10. Seek to have Fishing community input to any Resource Assessments.

11. Fight for ACCESS to Waterways

Access Restriction: Marine National Parks

i.)     It is the policy of The Fishing Party that when hard scientific data is presented which supports the need to exclude or restrict human impacts on an area that will support such closures only if all access and impact is removed. The Fishing Party does not support the biased exclusion of recreational fishing while allowing other impacts such as diving and tourism visitation to occur.

ii.)   Public waters are for public use. They are not to be locked up at the behest of special interest groups whether that be multi-national tourism operators or the green lobby.