More Fishing Inspectors

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday December 31, 2008

LEADER

WHEN the NSW Government introduced recreational fishing licences in 2001 it promised that all of the money raised from them would be used to help manage and protect the state's waterways and fisheries. Professional fishing was phased out of various estuaries including Lake Macquarie, ushering in a new and environmentally friendly attitude to a depleted resource.

The Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, says the licences raise about $8 million a year, with a compliance rate of about 80 per cent. The money is split between two recreational fishing trusts, one for saltwater, one for freshwater, which work with the minister to choose which projects are funded. The list includes artificial reefs, boat ramps, angling facilities, fisheries research, fish-stocking programs and a "flying squad" of fisheries officers. In recent years, NSW fishing inspectors have been writing about 2500 infringement notices a year and taking 400 matters to court.

As impressive as this effort might look on paper, the reality at the water's edge is somewhat different. The Hunter has only two full-time fisheries officers, down from six in the 1990s. One vacancy has gone unfilled because of Government funding cuts.

Not surprisingly, those familiar with Lake Macquarie and other regional waterways say that a lot of illegal fishing is going undetected. The 80 per cent compliance rate quoted by Mr Macdonald indicates that most recreational fishers are doing the right thing. The Government needs to keep its end of the bargain, and to get serious about increasing the number of fishing inspectors.

And while the law must be applied evenly, those paying between $6 and $75 for their licences could be forgiven for hoping that the inspectors target the illegal commercial netters and other large-scale thieves before pursuing the odd undersized fish from a wharf or dingy.

Aussies stumped

THE Australian cricket team is unused to losing, especially on home soil, but the dominant South African lineup has humbled the Australians in a way that a generation of players and spectators alike has only rarely experienced.

After more than a decade at the top of the world cricket rankings, the Australian cricket team is in the early stages of a forced rebuilding exercise. We knew their brilliance when they played, but it is only in their absence that such champions as Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist are truly missed.

It would be wrong, however, to see the first two Tests solely as Australian losses. Equally, they were two of South African cricket's finest moments, victories that were brought about by accurate bowling, disciplined batting, clean fielding and astute captaincy. Australia will rebound.

It is the nature of sport to see teams rise and fall, and for eras to start and finish. Right now, Australia needs some new champions. This is the time for the Hunter's best young cricketers to make their mark with bat and ball and to turn their dreams of sporting heroism into reality.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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