BIGFISH

REES MUST REJECT EXTREME GREEN MARINE PARK GRAB Leader of The Nationals Andrew Stoner today called on the State Government to reject the plans proposed by the National Parks Association (NPA) to ban recreation fishing completely in their latest effort to create more marine parks. Today’s Daily Telegraph states that the NPA wants five new marine parks and the extension of one park, leading to 215,880 hectares of NSW locked up in marine parks. The NPS is demanding complete fishing bans within a 70,000-hectare area. Environment Minister Carmel Tebbutt has referred the report to the NSW Marine Parkes Authority. The move to lock up vast areas from fishing is an outrageous attack on a traditional Australian pastime enjoyed by people of all ages,” Mr Stoner said. It is an extreme action by an extreme conservation group. This latest demand is a massive threat to local economies in towns like South West Rocks, Batemans Bay and Laurieton which have strong tourism industries underpinned by recreational fishing. The marine park grab around Sydney would lock thousands of families out of an enormous area of 103,150 hectares, encompassing all the best fishing spots around Sydney. This move will lead to cheap imports of seafood from Asia, where the quality and superiority may not be up to the NSW standards. There are already strict bag and size limits in place for recreational anglers, and studies undertaken by the Commonwealth Government have unequivocally found that recreational fishing has a negligible impact on local fishing stocks. Given NSW Labor’s past form in kowtowing to extreme green groups in pursuit of election preferences, this is a clear and present danger to a legitimate pastime enjoyed by Australian families. Nathan Rees must rule out this latest plan for fishing bans immediately – otherwise the ‘fun police’ are taking over the NSW recreational and commercial fishing industries. The solution Nathan Rees and Carmel Tebbutt must consider is more fisheries inspectors and better education programs, and not more state-wide lock-outs.”

Agree with all sentiments in this post. We have been ringing MSB on Botany for years if we see someone doing the wrong thing. If we can make the argument that responsible rec fishos will be the ears and eyes of our authorities then we have a major part to play in any Marine Sanctuary that the rec fishos can propose.

Hi Raiders Something everyone should be is positive. Marine parks are a good thing, however sancuary zones will NEVER work. This form of censorship will only feed illegle activities and get the fisherman off side. Just some points for you to note - I believe Nathan Rees NSW Premier saw the manly results yesterday as did a lot of Pollies These polls result could really send the NPA movement packing and they may consider the Fishermans policy on marine parks as the blue print. They forget most of us are very green and marine friendly as we use that environment all the time. PS I have a copy of the marine park proposal from the fishermans perspective launched as a counter to the marine park proposal for the port stephens area. If Stewy gives permission I will post it ALSO - DON"T GET NEGATIVE OR DISPONDANT that is what the other side want. I have been speaking with a few of the fishing groups and there is an overwhelming change of attitude. This is a very large catalyst to bring the groups together. Spoke with Stewy yesterday and he is a passionate fisho very eager to help and don't kid yourself the raiders have serious clout. The best thing you can all do is get your friends to sign up to FISHRAIDER ASAP so that when we talk with officials it adds further clout. Cheers BIG

15 December 2008 Should fishing be banned at Long Reef to protect grey nurse sharks? Yes 20% 944 votes No 80% 3728 votes 8 December 2008 Close of poll THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU RAIDERS These figures will be invaluable when we meet with the pollies this week. Hard tangible evidence always makes them stand up and listen. They have dismissed 450,000 licenses because they think there is no pollitical will This is the first sign that the tide of fisherman sitting on there hand is turning Cheers BIG

As a group we have not gelled well in a political sense. 450,000 fishing licenses in NSW and yet groups like NPA divide and conquer us because we let them. There is a real sense of unity in NSW among the fishos and this needs to translate into organisation. Image what a national powerful lobby group we would be united with one voice. The marine parks that started in QLD and moved into northern NSW is definitely on the march south. We need to take a stand. I am not against marine parks per say but I am against being branded an environmental vandel because my family and I fish. The only memories I have of my late father where the times I fished with him as a kid. The answer to preserving the environmet is quota restriction, catch and release, artificial baits and tournaments that do not kill fish to match angling skills and all this has more or less come. The next step is to self police and dob in those that do the wrong thing that way the government, marine parks and the fisho are working for a common goal. Threatening to take out Sydney's premier and really only major reef is antagonistic and has created this seige mentality. This vote is far more about a referendum on our rights than whether or not an area can be fished. We thank all the raiders who are supporting the cause because I firmly believe you are supporting your and all australian rights. KEEP THOSE VOTES COMING IN OVER THE WEEKEND CRITICAL Cheers BIG KEEP VOTING OVER THE WEEKED - TELL EVERYONE TO VOTE

System has gone down following a surge in our vote ? ?????? System has gone down following a surge in our vote ? ??????

WELL SAID JIGGY - Nothing is ever lost if we don't want it to, 450,000 fishing licences in NSW alone united would be invincible. We still have a few tricks up our sleeve.

Keep going, don't lose momentum now See NPA release to all there constituents Help Provide The World's Best Protection for NSW! (Actions are at the end of this email!) The biggest NSW marine sanctuary plan ever was launched on 4th December 2008 by NPA. If implemented this will help gain the world's best protection for NSW oceans. More marine protection The aim of this campaign is to gain marine sanctuary status for 20% of NSW oceans reaching from Tweed Heads in the north to Cape Howe in the south. These sanctuaries will give our NSW oceans protection for the future. These fully protected areas will help to boost the numbers, size and productivity of our fish, help protect our critically endangered species and provide valuable tourism and economic benefits. If implemented they will help ensure we can all continue to enjoy our oceans for generations to come. Successes to date! In the last week NPA has received extensive TV, radio, print and online media. We have had a number of MPs, groups and supporters show their support. Our first council came on board on Monday and we’ll be working hard in the coming weeks to ensure we continue to work towards a commitment from the NSW Government to building the proposed network of protection for our oceans. You can help provide sanctuary to our marine life - Blue is the New Green! You can help support this landmark campaign by: - Making a donation on our website or by calling (02) 9299 0000. - Alternatively visit our campaigns page for other ideas of how you can help An easy way you can take action right now! Today, Sydney’s Manly Daily paper is conducting an online poll to determine support for the protection of one of the remaining key sites where our critically endangered grey nurse sharks live. NPA is proposing sanctuary protection for Long Reef on Sydney’s northern beaches as part of a large multiple use Sydney Marine Park. The result of this poll will influence the decisions of government officials – we need your vote! Step 1: Please take two seconds to vote 'Yes' saying we should protect Long Reef’s grey nurse sharks. Simply click on the link at http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/ Step 2: Pass this onto your contacts asking them to put in their vote online to support the future of our marine life. Step 3: Visit our campaigns page for other ideas of how you can help protect our oceans We look forward to keeping you up to date with this campaign as it develops By working together we can make BLUE THE NEW GREEN Kind regards, Nicky Nicky Hammond Marine Program Manager National Parks Association of NSW PO Box 337, Newtown NSW 2042 Tel: 02 9299 0000; Fax: 02 9290 2525 Email: marine@marine.org.au Website: www.marine.org.au Join NPA~Marine today www.marine.org.au/supportmember.htm Call 02 9299 0000 to make a donation today Winners: Sydney Harbour Week Award for the Environment 2007 Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Community Business Partnerships - National 2007 If you would like to unsubscribe from this email list please email marine@marine.org.au with ‘unsubscribe’ in the subject line. NPA: 50 years protecting nature

This is turning out to be referrendem on he marin park, get everyone you know to keep voting till the 15 dec

Down to 78% - tell all you know, we need a statement this day to dull the NPAs launch of the marine park and its no1 marine target "Long Reef"

Green vote on the march they have taken 1% off us and a lot of votes have gone in the past hour send to everyone and get as many votes as possible Steve PLEASE VOTE NO TO THE CLOSURE

Its important that all fisherman + familes voice an opinion otherwise the minority groups such as the NPA will walk all over us. The interview I heard on the ABC radio earlier this week gave me a real chill. Keep supporting the cause BIG

The Manly Daily is conducting their daily poll in today's edition. The question posed is "Should fishing be banned at Long Reef to protect grey nurse sharks?" Vote at: http://www.manlydaily.com.au/ Thank you for taking the time. This is important and you can bet the Greenies are mustering even more support to vote Yes in this straw poll. Please pass this along to anyone you think may be appropriate Vote now!!!!!, its on the top of the page in small text under the "poll" heading. We have been going great guns, thank you to all the raiders but we have to keep voting till monday very very important Help Provide The World's Best Protection for NSW! (Actions are at the end of this email!) The biggest NSW marine sanctuary plan ever was launched on 4th December 2008 by NPA. If implemented this will help gain the world's best protection for NSW oceans. More marine protection The aim of this campaign is to gain marine sanctuary status for 20% of NSW oceans reaching from Tweed Heads in the north to Cape Howe in the south. These sanctuaries will give our NSW oceans protection for the future. These fully protected areas will help to boost the numbers, size and productivity of our fish, help protect our critically endangered species and provide valuable tourism and economic benefits. If implemented they will help ensure we can all continue to enjoy our oceans for generations to come. Successes to date! In the last week NPA has received extensive TV, radio, print and online media. We have had a number of MPs, groups and supporters show their support. Our first council came on board on Monday and we’ll be working hard in the coming weeks to ensure we continue to work towards a commitment from the NSW Government to building the proposed network of protection for our oceans. You can help provide sanctuary to our marine life - Blue is the New Green! You can help support this landmark campaign by: - Making a donation on our website or by calling (02) 9299 0000. - Alternatively visit our campaigns page for other ideas of how you can help An easy way you can take action right now! Today, Sydney’s Manly Daily paper is conducting an online poll to determine support for the protection of one of the remaining key sites where our critically endangered grey nurse sharks live. NPA is proposing sanctuary protection for Long Reef on Sydney’s northern beaches as part of a large multiple use Sydney Marine Park. The result of this poll will influence the decisions of government officials – we need your vote! Step 1: Please take two seconds to vote 'Yes' saying we should protect Long Reef’s grey nurse sharks. Simply click on the link at http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/ Step 2: Pass this onto your contacts asking them to put in their vote online to support the future of our marine life. Step 3: Visit our campaigns page for other ideas of how you can help protect our oceans We look forward to keeping you up to date with this campaign as it develops By working together we can make BLUE THE NEW GREEN Kind regards, Nicky Nicky Hammond Marine Program Manager National Parks Association of NSW PO Box 337, Newtown NSW 2042 Tel: 02 9299 0000; Fax: 02 9290 2525 Email: marine@marine.org.au Website: www.marine.org.au Join NPA~Marine today www.marine.org.au/supportmember.htm Call 02 9299 0000 to make a donation today Winners: Sydney Harbour Week Award for the Environment 2007 Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Community Business Partnerships - National 2007 If you would like to unsubscribe from this email list please email marine@marine.org.au with ‘unsubscribe’ in the subject line. NPA: 50 years protecting nature

This is what i was particularly concerned about, I am a microbiologist and thesalt concentration is going to kill a lot of marine life. The only thin that will survive that marine life is worms and those worms have been shown to get into the fish stock, get into humans and are used as pollution indicators in the states. There is a lot here that is only quietly coming to light. However it is agreed that a 2 bilion dollar project will go ahead come what, but I disagree that we should stop whinging, if there is enough political fall out, the next project will have an additional hurdel to overcome. Cheers BIG

There is 2 sets of dredging going on One for the port expansion - Port botany and the other for the desal plant Kurnell to Cooks River, right through the cockel beds. I believe that this is only test drilling at the moment but there is a hot line you can ring and complain if you see the silt outside the drapes that are coming in. Predictions for the fishing have not been good, quite a few weed beds will also be affected. Submissions have been put in by ANSA and other concerned groups that have fallen on deaf ears, I have met with the minister and an ANSA representative to discuss potential issues with the desal plant PARTICULARLY since they are only testing 20cm down and digging 4meters down. The general thinking is they don't want to find out what is around the Cooks delta and Certainly don'y want to know what is around the Penryn River since it has already been closed because of pollution scares. This is a real watch this space. My favorite bream grounds around the 3rd runway never recovered after the dredging there. I think it will be a very long time before the middle of the bay recovers. JUST incidentally ANSA is trying to get some artifical reefs in the bay to try and give the fish an alternate ground to populate, these are from Korea and very successful, again these requests have fallen on deaf ears. Time for a little R&D on new spots Cheers BIG

How is the jewie fishing going? I have noticed no reports for a while Big

Hi Red Have you chased any big jews lately? I hooked a monster the other night land based (secret spot) and it spat the hooks five meters from the rocks. Cheers Big

problem with the photo I'll have to post it later BIG

Hi Red The only place to get rid of those snapper blues is whyalla, and surprisingly cost effective. We use stress relief charters run by Dean Foster. The fish are guaranteed. 10kg + common, 12-14kg fish often and 14kg+ fish are taken every season. The trip this January cost 5 guys including airfare, accommodation, food and fishing for 4days between $1,000 - $1200 each, comapre that with other interstate trips and that is the best price by far. Details on www.stressreliefcharters.com.au. Best fun you can have with your clothes on. I have attached a photo to wet the appetite Cheers BIG

Anything Big Big kings, big bream, my favourite big reds (especially the SA kind) and big jews. It is hard to distinguish between reds and jews, I haven't yet caught a double digit jew but maybe this season. Its good to see that the bruisers can still be found and reduced commercial pressure may mean a big fish for those willing to put in the hours. keep soaking those large baits who knows what next? Cheers Big

Hi Red What gives you more pleasure catching monstor jews or chasing reds? Cheers BIG