BOB_SMITH

Red Alert, Red Alert, Red Alert NSW Community Marine Parks and “Toxic Sludge is our Grudge” Protest Rally TUESDAY 28TH FEB 2006 at 11am to 12.30 PARLIAMENT HOUSE MACQUARIE ST SYDNEY This will be another RED DAY (wear the color RED) of Rally and Protest. If Marine Parks, sewage, water quality, toxic fish affect you, BE THERE (Recreational, Commercial and Indigenous fishers), Swimmers, Canoeists, 4WD’s, Skiers, Boaties please come along. Your fishing spots and recreational areas are under threat of sanctuary, no-fishing, locked up, or no access, or your fish/marine resource are being contaminated by toxins, diseases and sewage throughout NSW (with no compensation anticipated and further lock-outs) Resulting from public Marine Park Meetings at Batemans Bay and Narooma a call for a public protest and rally has resulted. Concurrently with devastating news headlines of SYDNEY HARBOUR TIM THE TOXIC BREAM, the first day of 2006 return of the NSW Parliament was nominated to voice and vent community anger. After being told consistently that it would be at least two years away from any further Marine Parks, Premier Morris Iemma decided the ALP political agenda was in so much trouble he gave twelve days notice to his disciples to make the desperate green Marine Parks (Port Stephens and Batemans Bay) deal a real agenda and announce them. Their agenda suffers from a huge data deficiency It is proposed to have Boats (Canoes, Bass Boats, Sailing boats, Row boats, Rubber duckies, 4WD’s, Cars, Utes, Push Bikes, Motor bikes or any fishing transport circling around the block of Parliament House displaying your placards, fishing rods etc, while a rally of speakers will be addressing the foot crowd on the steps of Parliament. Already some busloads of angry park opponents from down south have been promised and politicians are organizing to speak. (a full program is expected and will be made public and the police will be notified) RED T SHIRTS are suggested with slogans such as front> YEMAS DILEMA IS TIM THE TOXIC BREAM or Marine Parks need Science not Politics Back> TOXIC SLUDGE IS OUR GRUDGE 280206 or Yemas worms glow in the dark Or other (suggestions please)-SEWAGE OR SANCTUARY This is also a call for help securing/donating 1000 RED T SHIRTS (L,XL,XXL) and for somebody to screen print slogans/stick on slogans to them. HELP. If that fails then it is suggested for groups to organize their own RED COLOR and slogans. Here is your chance to voice your concerns. Don’t lie down and accept getting shafted. There are NO MORE CHANCES, the State Election is in March 2007 so organize a group, busload or your friends to deliver the state government a message and see what they have to say to a crowd. Support from organizations/clubs will be welcome. Please indicate if attending. Please contact Bob Smith for further information, 0265560338, www.thefishingparty.info, sinali@optusnet.com.au

Public Meetings have been arranged for Batemans Bay 24th and Narooma 25th Jan as per Media Release below. Bob Smith and TFP Environmental Officer Paul Hennelly will be attending and lending support. I intend to have a short speak at both on my Marine Park Sanctuary Zone research and introduce TFP campaigns. TFP will also be available before and after for any interested persons to have a chat about our NSW election strategy and direction. TFP is seeking candidates in all coastal Labor held NSW electorates. Enough is enough. MEDIA RELEASE Monday 16-1-2006 Public meetings - "The Impacts and Implications of marine parks” Concerned local fishers in conjunction with state wide conservation organisation, $%^&*, have called public meetings in Bateman's Bay and Narooma to explore the social and economic implications and likely impacts of Bateman’s Marine Park. These issues are of great interest to fishers, outdoor Australians and the businesses that depend on them. The meeting will be held at 6.30pm on Tuesday 24-1-06 in the auditorium of the Bateman’s Bay Bowling Club. A second meeting has been arranged in Narooma at 5 pm on Wednesday 25-1-06 at the Sporting and Services Club. Keynote speaker will be marine conservationist, Ken Thurlow, who is the Chairman of the Northern Rivers Fisheries Conference and a member of the Cape Byron Marine Park Advisory Committee. Ken has extensive experience with marine parks and the Marine Park Authority. He has a sound understanding of the underlying scientific issues. "Spin from the government would have the community believe that these marine parks are for multiple use. Nothing could be further from the truth.” Ken Thurlow said today. “Once they are zoned, they are literally restricted use and restricted access parks." Mr Thurlow believes we can still have marine parks to protect the biodiversity, but they should be accessible to all, with conservation through sustainable use. “While there is great disagreement among marine scientists the world over concerning the value of marine parks, one thing is for certain. They are not for managing the fisheries.” he said "There is no scientific justification whatsoever for locking the community out and these decisions are being based on extreme ideological grounds." The Marine Park Authority typically selects areas of high marine biodiversity for large no take zones despite research that shows that line fishing has little or no impact. These are the same areas that are of most use to line fishers. $%^&* spokesman, Rod Burston, said that recent zoning of the Cape Byron Marine Park was a disaster. The local community has refused to support the park because their contributions were ignored when the zoning plan was drawn up. Consequently, they have no ownership of the park. “The Environment Minister, Bob Debus, said that Cape Byron will be the model for other marine parks. This is sad news for local iconic fishing spots like Montague Island and the Toll Gates.” “We are calling this meeting to fully explore all of the issues. After all, this is the community's park and the aim of the meeting is to keep it that way.” Rod Burston $%^&* Bob Smith TFP Chairman Supporting $%^&*

Hooky Sorry you are skeptical. I guess that means you don't vote for any party because of many skeptical matters. What is the problem with the article from TFP. The two fishing clubs in the area apparently agreed with the commercial fishers. I DIDN'T unless there was a change in the way it was managed and as a matter of fact in the way the whole industry was managed. If there is no room for all to work together then lets lock it all up and go home and eat tin food or imported crap. Simple answer. I don't have any sympathy or support for any commercial fisher who wants to buck the system or any pro who abuses his license entitlements but I will support a viable industry for the people over importing crap and that means any commodity. The Governments make the rules so lets ALL attack them if we are not happy jan. The article from MRTimes Fishers want Stein way Tuesday, 8 November 2005 THE Fishing Party will oppose the move to re-open part of the Manning River, unless the Rick Stein approach of 'catch and use locally' is legislated into the process. Fishing Party spokesman Robert Smith, a Harrington resident, was commenting on Taree Fishermen's Co-operative's application to the Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries to trade-off rights to fish a 3.2 km section of river downstream of Cedar Party Creek for a 3.2km section downstream of Ghinni Ghinni Creek (MRT Wednesday). The commercial operators want to return to an area between Taree and the river entrance which they claim is essential to their ongoing fishing and prawning viability, and which was closed to them in 2002. They say the area they are prepared to sacrifice, between Taree and Wingham, is a popular bass fishing spot for recreational anglers. However Mr Smith has reacted to their proposal by saying the resource is publicly owned, which means that neither recreational nor commercial fishers have sole right to either harvest or use the resource. Further, using the recreational fishing licence as ownership for the right to fish is misleading, he said. "The approach by Rick Stein (well documented TV presenter and seafood author) ensures that the general public as well as recreational fishers can enjoy the local seafood without the need to have massive extraction to supply the export industry, and then be forced and subjected to purchase imported, inferior products. "The NIMBY (not in my back yard) approach only puts pressure on somebody's else's fishery," Mr Smith said. "Surely recreational fishers, limited commercial fishers along with indigenous fishers can work together because there are bigger problems facing access to the resource than this one." Mr Smith was critical of a statement by Sustainable Fishing and Tourism executive Trevor Burns in Wednesday's Times that ‘every community accepted the recreational fishing licence'. "This is incorrect as our recent licence survey so far dispelled that, with 90 per cent or more respondents saying the licence is unfair and that alternate financing from all benefactors is overwhelmingly preferred." Bob Smith

The Fishing Party A.B.N: 76 086 236 465 HEAD OFFICE (Federal) 11Watts Close SINGLETON HEIGHTS NSW 2330 Ph/fax 0265 560338 0408434591 Email: sinali@optusnet.com.au www.thefishingparty.info Wednesday, January 11, 2006 NEWS ITEM The Fishing Party gets ready for 2007 NSW State Elections The Fishing Party announces that it has secured the services of Mr. Glenn Druery as their election campaign strategist and organizer. Robert Smith, the party chairman stated that Glenn comes with expert credentials in handling elections and doing deals. Glenn just missed his own political spot in the last Federal Election, which was well acknowledged in the political election roundup. His fame is that he (with our party preferences help) stopped the Greens from getting another Senate seat. The Fishing Party will be endeavoring to repeat that outcome next election. The party expects to lead a full fifteen-candidate group ticket in the NSW Senate along with targeting and contesting House of Representative coastal seats currently held by Labor. Six seats, Tweed, Port Stephens, Wallsend, Sydney (Port Jackson) are definite; Kiama and Swansea are in the pipeline. The Central Coast Labor seats will be targeted next for candidates. The everyday Australian, and especially the one million fishing voters, plus the countless recreational community have been deserted by government agendas. Their recreation is being eroded by political deals rather than science. If the party can attract the disenfranchised heartland vote or secure the number one spot on the voting tickets we could break the Labor/Green marriage that they need to govern. National Park management is out of control, it is empirical and under funded. This and Environmental concerns will be also part of our campaign. The rural community is suffering the consequences. Further information: - Robert Smith, Chairman, TFP, 0265560338, 0408434591, sinali@optusnet.com.au

In regard to the No-Take debate and Marine Parks, here is an interesting summary from a US scientist research into it all. Although all this science should be read as "site specific" many comparisons and aspects are common. In referring this type of science to NSW where there are NO RECREATIONAL SPECIES UNDER THREAT OF EXTINCTION (even fisheries agree) Marine Parks with 'extreme green sought major sanctuaries' are more anti-fishing agendered and politically motivated Scientist says MPAs offer no benefits Study blasts no-take zones as poor fishery management tool; 98-percent of stocks studied showed no benefits According to the chair of the marine sciences department at the University of Southern Alabama, the type of marine protected areas (MPAs) which allow no harvests of fish are virtually useless as a fishery management tool. Dr. Robert Shipp says, in a report just released earlier this month, that out of more than 350 fish stocks he examined, the no-harvest zones offered no fishery management benefit in 98 percent of stocks studied. As a tool for fisheries management where the goal is maximum sustainable yield, he says, no-take MPAs are generally not as effective as traditional management measures such as the use of size limits, catch limits and seasons, and are not appropriate for the vast majority of marine species. This is because, says the professor, most marine species are far too mobile and won't stay put in the no-take areas, and/or aren't over-fished in the first place. Out of the many fish species he examined, nearly all ranged over sizable distances considerably greater than any of the proposed no-harvest areas. And once outside of the restricted zones, he notes, they become available for being caught, so the benefits of the limited area vanish. For those few species, which would benefit from a no-take area, he says, the creation of such a zone would have an adverse effect on the best management of co-existing species. And contrary to a widespread misperception about MPAs, Shipp discounts the fishery management benefits of the so-called "spill over" effect. "The number of fish that spill over from a reserve is always going to be less than that available from a well managed fishery," he charges. "It's wrong to say that commercial and recreational anglers are going to benefit by catching more, larger fish as a result of an MPA — because they won't." In addition, Shipp's study states that many species don't require the kind of severe restrictions imposed by no-take MPAs. He says that according to the National Marine Fisheries Service, just eight percent of US fish stocks in the Exclusive Economic Zone are reported as being over-fished, and most of those are either primarily pelagic or highly mobile species, movement patterns which don't lend themselves to benefiting from MPAs. "If a fish stock is well managed and healthy, then the need for a no-take MPA is nil," he is cited as saying. "In most cases, traditional measures are a much more effective method for managing a fishery, even an over-fished one." Many fisheries are restricted by rules and regulations that lay down minimum size requirements, strict catch limits and even seasonal closures. Shipp concedes that MPAs may be useful tools in some instances, such as seasonal closures for particular fish species. Some congregate for a short time during spawning and during that time extra protection may make sense. He also notes that there are positive uses for MPAs other than as a management tool, such as protection of critical fish habitat, the study of ecosystem function and biodiversity, and the promotion of eco-tourism, and to help rebuild severely over-fished and unmanaged insular stocks. A statement from the American Sportfishing Association on the study recalls that Shipp chaired the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council when the council voted to declare part of the Tortugas sanctuary an MPA, a decision he reportedly actively supported. Shipp says though that for management purposes, to close down a fishery for all species on a permanent basis is unnecessary. He particularly takes issue with the proposal to set aside a large segment of the Channel Islands, off Southern California. "The suggestion that as much as 40 percent of the Channel Islands should be designated a permanent no-take MPA is totally without merit from a fisheries harvest perspective," he says. "Though it may have other aesthetic benefits, such as closure would severely reduce harvest potentials, shift effort to other areas, and likely have a substantial negative economic impact on both commercial and recreational fishing industries." All in all, says Shipp, only a very small percentage of fish - which he puts at something less than two percent - would benefit from the creation of the no-take style of MPA. He reminds that some MPAs allow some fisheries and ban others, and says that even among the two percent or so of fish which would benefit from the full no-harvest areas, many species have come under management within the past 10 years through the use of more traditional fisheries management methods, and are experiencing recovery of stocks as a result. Bob Smith TFP

The Fishing Party A.B.N: 76 086 236 465 HEAD OFFICE (Federal) 11Watts Close SINGLETON HEIGHTS NSW 2330 Ph/fax 0265 560338 0408434591 Email: sinali@bigpond.com : rsm35254@bigpond.net.au www.thefishingparty.info December 20, 2005 Dear Journalists News is at hand today that the Hunter River has finally died. Commercial and Recreational fishers are now witnessing how a pollution drain operates when Coalmines and Industry, sewage and land runoff combine. No prawns, No mud crabs, Dead stingrays (everywhere?) and Dead oyster crops are the result. Compensation might now be further extended. When government talks about bio-diversity they blame fishing, they create Marine Parks to save the bio-diversity. It’s about time the real reasons for this destruction are made public. The Fishing Party will be doing everything in its power to campaign on the real issues that affect the marine resource. Water quality and quantity, siltation, sewage and toxic runoffs, erosion and plain stupid management of the marine resource are being exposed everyday. The coast is experiencing more and more fish kills. The Wilderness Society, Nature Conservation Council and National Parks Association delight in targeting fishing with their blame the fisher attitude. For years the really concerned groups of fishers have been yelling and screaming about this Hunter drain and government wealth greed has prevailed. Coalmines mean money to the government but the every day way of life is bypassed in commitment. Well Messrs Iemma, Debus, Macdonald now is the time to show your hand, your priorities for the Hunter are now on show. Robert Smith, chairman, The Fishing Party, 0265560338, sinali@bigpond.com

Try these 3 and don't hold back Morris Iemma-NSW Premier: Ministerial Office: Phone (02) 9228 5239 Fax (02) 9228 3934 thepremier@www.nsw.gov.au Electorate Office: Phone (02) 9584 1788 Fax (02) 9584 1945 thepremier@www.nsw.gov.au lakemba@parliament.nsw.gov.au Bob Debus- Minister for the Environment: Ministerial Office: Phone (02) 9228 3071 Fax (02) 9228 3166 bob.debus@debus.minister.nsw.gov.au Electorate Office: Phone (02) 4751 3298 Fax (02) 4751 1245 bluemountains@parliament.nsw.gov.au Ian Macdonald- NSW Minister DPI Fisheries: Ministerial Office: Phone (02) 9228 3344 Fax (02) 9228 3452 macdonald.office@macdonald.minister.nsw.gov.au Parliamentary Office: Phone (02) 9230 3034 Fax (02) 9230 3032 macdonald.office@macdonald.minister.nsw.gov.au Bob Smith

Nothing for me here yet Grant to confirm.(Nothing after 12.53am anyway) I hope it is true. It would be electoral suicide for Labor if not. Can you tell (PM) where you read that from Bob Smith Ben I take your point to some degree. I will compromise with the Greens and Government on the basis that I CHOSE THE 20-30-40% to be locked away FROM EVERYBODY IF NEEDED. At the moment you have no say in the compromise part and I don't believe that you will have any in the future unless you can match the green influence over decisions. That's why you can't compare this issue with John Howard agenda and that's why I am so blunt. 4 previous MP's are my proof. Politics, Politics, Politics. Bob Smith

Bluecod Please keep supporting $%^&* My record of written posts might seem over the top or just political speak but if I seem blunt or determined in what I say then take it as exactly what I mean. I make no apology and I don't really care whether my personality is liked or agreed with. I have been led by this COMPROMISE crap too many times and now I am convinced that the only way to get results is by political threat. (As you witness by the Greens and what results they get). Major Parties hate the Greens by the way. I guarantee you that if there was an equal force to the greens then that force would be listened to. I have been a member of countless associations and to have 101 different splinter groups tracking off on their beliefs and little power bases, is exactly what the decision makers want. I will state here and now that Science runs second to Politics. If TFP can get the desired candidates to target Labor held state seats and fishing support then watch what happens. If The Fishing Party can do that then I will have achieved something. If not then a fishing spot somewhere out of sight and away from PC'S and Phones seems certain. (if such places exist) Bob Smith

Grant Sorry it is one the same $%^&* > a protest group being formed of no political alliance for interested persons to register their protest and remain outside any Political Party influence. Supported by The Fishing Party because come election time $%^&* will need to vote somewhere and our aim is to get their support. Bluecod take note:- Initiated by Rod Burston through NSWFCA of which I am the current President > contact number 0242377493. Rod is the CEO of this project. Others may wish to update this agenda with factual branch info if desired. I am not a spokesperson for this group but so far there is a branch at > Byron Bay, Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Forster, Bulahdelah and Newcastle and South Coast that I know of. Others are in the making I am told. I chaired the meeting in Port Macquarie and Newcastle for their start. Bob Smith

Hi Bluecod I would suggest that you do some homework before engaging in something you obviously know nothing about. When you do you might want to edit your post to save your embarrassment. Bob Smith (ECOFish founding member)

That's not convincing enough for me He still hasn't ruled out the idea only that there is no government plan. If Labor regain the power then I would be prepared for the worst. I remember only a few weeks ago in the press and on the news that this same Minister said that no boundaries or Marine Parks were on the Government plan as they would be at least 2 yrs off. Down South this was an important question because some businesses were about to renew leases and the Minister gave assurances on the radio nothing was imminent. This Minister must have been taught by the previous one. It would be an understatement to say they are not happy and I could not repeat their thoughts. As they say 'Watch this space' Bob Smith

The Fishing Party A.B.N: 76 086 236 465 HEAD OFFICE (Federal) 11Watts Close SINGLETON HEIGHTS NSW 2330 Ph/fax 0265 560338 0408434591 Email: sinali@bigpond.com : rsm35254@bigpond.net.au www.thefishingparty.info Monday, December 05, 2005 NEWS RELEASE The Fishing Party declares war on Government Fishing Bans News headlines of ‘more fishing bans along our coastline’ has caused an angry outburst of opposition from party members and the fishing community. A political war has been declared on the Government in all the Labor coastal seats. Robert Smith, party chairman stated that already five candidates have acknowledged their interest in being candidates for The Fishing Party in the coming 2007 state election. Tweed, Port Stephens, Kiama, South Coast and a Lake Macquarie electorate have so far been earmarked. With fishing bans now prominent on the Lake Macquarie agenda interested candidates are being sought for all the other Labor held seats including Maitland, where the angry fishing community can decide their protest vote. With the Lake Macquarie recreational fishing haven now a target for fishing bans, it just shows up the deceit, lies and the hoodwinking agenda that this Labor government is prepared to go to, to have green voter support to be re-elected in 2007. The Fishing Party is calling on the media to incite both the Labor and Coalition political representation to a public debate on all this Marine Park and no-fishing zone agenda. The party wants exposed the real reasons behind the great “lockup Australia” approach. Current beliefs are that the agenda is being driven by green/government deals in relation to offsetting coastal development that the Governments have taken over control from local government. The constituents need to see the deals exposed and if possible corruption exists. Further information: Robert Smith, Chairman, The Fishing Party 0265560338, mob 0408434591, Email sinali@bigpond.com. Ends. URL Story > http://theherald.com.au/articles/2005/12/0...3631148716.html Bob Smith

Grant I have searched all avenues and to date the Newcastle Herald has the story and Mid North Coast had it on their rural report. Apparently it won't be official until tomorrow and boundaries will be official on the 1st Dec then 3 months public display and CONSULTATION and zones to be finalised by July 2006 DPI or MPA websites will probably have it all in the next few days. I just did a bit on Mid North Coast ABC so it will be topic for a while If anglers don't give this Government a serve by either radio or in the news then I guess the writing is on the wall. I suspect civil disobedience will occur at the first sign of lock-out. If not it should. I will be endeavoring to get the Opposition side of this story because it will be a political stoush and TFP will be in it. I will keep you posted Bob Smith

Here it is Could be the FIRST LABOR SEAT TO FALL Fishing spots to be banned By MATTHEW KELLY November 30, 2005 A MASSIVE new marine park covering Port Stephens and the Great Lakes will limit fishing to protect the area's delicate ecosystems. NSW Premier Morris Iemma announced plans for the 97,000-hectare park last night as part of a $420 million environmental plan for the state. The park stretches south from the Cape Hawke Surf Life Saving club, near Forster, to Birubi Beach surf club, at the northern end of Stockton Bight. It includes Port Stephens and the Karuah and Myall rivers to their tidal limits, as well as the Myall Lakes system and Smiths Lake. The park will consist of four zones, sanctuary, habitat protection, general use and special purpose. State Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said recreational fishing would be banned in 20 per cent of the park. Bob Smith

Hi all It appears the Manning Shelf Marine Park announcement is imminent. Some news today that the Premier is to make some news as early as TONIGHT Bob Smith

Hi all Get your teeth into this one, ALL OUR PROBLEMS WILL BE SOLVED Click > http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/rra...fare05/info.htm Bob Smith

Grant Spoke to Adam and he does remember you (mad about fishin he said) Took some photos. Adam was complaining about the mud. Do you think it needs dredging seeing there used to be 40 foot water there once. Plenty of yabbies in an area that is going to be dredged. Hence the request to have bait ban lifted. Bob Smith

Grant I will go and have a yarn (and put a good word in for you) I need to talk to them about the Marine Park anyway.(no fishing means no drinking or anything else) There is two fishing clubs operating from there who I have onside. We have just done a TV segment on Prime and sent a letter to Macdonald about getting the back channel bait ban regulations lifted. (still to remain in swimming lagoon where it was originally supposed to be but they got carried away when gazetting the regulations). I am told there used to be 40 foot of water in there and monster jew. Now you can nearly feed the cows at low tide. There is a proposal to remove 65,000 cm of sand/fill out so there is not much sense in having a bait collecting ban. Another job for TFP Bob

Sorry about that Grant We had our FCA State AGM at the pub 2 weeks ago What relation is Adam Bob Smith

If anybody is interested The Fishing Party in conjunction with the Coopernook/Harrington Residents Action Group are hosting a Public Meeting this coming Wednesday night 23rd Nov at the Harrington Bowling Club. 7.00pm I will be chairing the meeting. The local member Robert Oakeshott, Taree Mayor Eddie Loftus and Taree Economic Development Officer Chris Ryan, Ken Thurlow recreational representative of the Byron Bay Marine Park Committee, local business representatives, recreational fishing clubs, commercial fishers and general public will be hearing concerns about Marine Parks in the Manning. Plenty of time will be allocated to take questions from the floor. Could be interesting. Anybody interested please come. Bob Smith

Grant The Fishing Party is run by some dedicated Newcastle recreational fishers. Commercial fishing will never control or run the party as long as I and our committee are in control. I do know some commercial fishers and I know the manager of the Sydney Fish Markets on a pretty good basis. I have been there many times to see him and also visit Ocean Watch office. I have talked with the commercial fishers many times in the early days and as a matter of fact I stood up at one of their rallies on the steps of Macquarie Tower and talked about destructive commercial fishing practices and was booed. But after, some came over and shook my hand and concurred with what I said. I have even tried to get the greens and the commercial fishers and rec fishers sitting at the one table but in doing so I copped the flack from AFTA and was condemned. I have been involved in meetings (as a guest) with Fisheries and Commercial fisherman and have been chucked out of Obeid's office with in a heated argument. I spent the first year of this with an average of 3-4 trips per fortnight to Sydney wearing away the carpet in Macquarie Street talking with Politicians and being a pest. As far as commercial fishers being members of TFP, there are NO commercial fishers who are financial members to my knowledge. We really don't know what our members do for a living and we are not racist. Commercial fishers do not donate any money to TFP. (not many recs do either) I have had a great deal to do with a commercial fisher at Manly who has worked with me taking on the Manly Council and the Government over the Old Gasworks Site which is contaminated with Cyanide and leeching into the water. The Anglers Action Group would verify that. I also tackled the council there with this commercial fisher on the closing of Cabbage Tree Bay to all forms of fishing and tried to stop the total closure in relation to the little penguins at Quarantine. I have been accused many times over the years of being a stooge for the commercial industry, a stooge for the Labor Party, a front for the Liberals and a disguised greenie and also a front for the Outdoor rec party. All of which was just propaganda. I got sick of being on certain chatsites and answering crud. Shit I must have been busy. All along I have been the President of the New South Wales Fishing Clubs Association, President of the Australian Anglers Association, President of the Newcastle Anglers Association and I was a Builder when I had the time. If there is any doubt to my allegiance then god help anybody else who wants to do this. I wear coloured undies also and do very little fishing (due to some injuries). Oh and also nearly divorced on many occassions. My Environmental Officer and I have toured the Southern and Inland areas looking at the stuffed silted up estuaries and talked with Oyster Growers on water quality. We have even had a look at the toxic goldmine runnoff stuffed Molonglo River near Canberra and associated ourselves with the Ballallaba group there for fixing it up. The Byron Bay MP has taken up time and many miles in travel as well. So did the Solitary Island MP at Coffs. Now it is the Manning and a few more. Has it been worth it:- YOU BET Will I stop:- NOT LIKELY (but I am now limited physically) Bob Smith In 4 years I wore out 2 new commodores and wrecked a Toyota Landcruiser tabletop.

Grant Thanks for the questions and interest. Yes we would like ideas and input from the wider community, not just on fishing things but general policy directions. There has previously been interaction between chat site users who wish us to be just a one issue party, then there have been many arguments saying that no votes will come by being a one issue party. My answers have been posted previously for all to see. I did think that by posting this new direction on all the fishing sites (and I have sent to the fishing magazines) that feedback would come easily, obviously not, although there are some good chats on other sites and some downers as well. If anybody would like to put their ideas or any research to us it would be welcome and it will be treated in confidence as all things related to members are. We do not on-sell or give any member information to anybody. Please send any information to me at sinali@bigpond.com or through the contacts page of our website or by post to The Fishing Party, 11 Watts Close, Singleton , NSW 2330 As far the membership goes no amount of paid up members would be enough really, but we only need enough to pay the bills. Membership money is only used to offset operational expenses such as stationery, printing, ads in papers, signs, I Fish I vote stickers, caps, Senate How to Vote tickets and some phone bills and the website. All persons in TFP are volunteers and there are no employees. So far, I have provided most of the finance just to get the party up and try to be self sufficient but getting interested persons to commit is very difficult. We have to continually have 750 members in NSW to remain a registered political Party. The NSW Electoral Office has just confirmed that we remain registered with the required number so we are able to contest the 2007 election. We have had ATO audits and both State and AEC audits (AEC is currently being processed). We accept any member whether they are on the electoral role or not but we cannot include them in the 750 for party registration. Membership is $22.00 for 3 yrs and includes both AEC and State registration. (really a pittance) Financial members receive a member card. You can be a member of as many party's as you like. (only one party can rely on your name for registration) I can email out forms on request (2 for NSW, 1 for AEC and 1 for State or they can be downloaded from the party website www.thefishingparty.info and follow the instructions. Do not send them to any electoral office, they must come back to TFP. TFP does not solicit membership nor does it attempt to solicit political beliefs. Donations and any volunteer help will not be rejected. Receipts are issued for any monies received. We will be targetting the Upper House and about 10 Labor held seats this coming 2007 election where we will be seeking candidates and volunteers to help hand out HTV tickets and display TFP signs. Bob Smith

Grant Just to clarify the term "General Public" I was referring to the 80% of the population who don't fish but line up to demand seafood and put pressure on the resource. The other misinformation is that the 20% of the population that is supposedly accessing the resource nationally, quite a big percentage just do it for either Recreation where most don't have the knowledge to catch large numbers of fish(kill or c & r) and probably don't care (but get screwed in this license debacle) and just as Tourists, venturing and expanding their fishing holiday experiences (spending money) or accessing the resource as an additional food source. Now we want the Sport fishers recognised. Bob Smith

Grant Your concerns are well noted and as with major US cities where a lot more large coastal populations exist on a shorter coastline the problem you highlight must be four-fold. We will delve into their rec/pro ratio/conflict and see if they overcome it or just simply worked together. For your question the following is relevant: · At what level is commercial fishing accepted. · What is the actual take of pro versus rec fishers (resource not money) · Has there been any reduction in pro fishers from say 20 yrs ago. · Reducing pro licenses (from my hatred of RFL’s money) without having TAC’s (or closed seasons) is FRAUDULENT. · Does reducing bag limits and increasing size limits mean anything> who benefits. · Having commercial fishers flooding the market for bugger all return (or a bill) is brainless and shows total fishery mismanagement starting from the Minister down. · The recreational media promotes how good the fishing is > WHY??? · There are current suggestions that the recreational fish stocks are better now than have ever been including metropolitan estuaries. · My association with fishing comps in the metropolitan area has most saying that they are going to the Harbour because it fishes better. · Anglers tell me that they now have to access the dangerous cliff spots because the easy spots have been flogged to death !!!!! · The general public does not contribute financially to the resource management >WHY · The Minister promotes all this money being spent by government on recreational fishing (lets be honest, it’s your extra money and it pays hidden government costs) As we continue to research and plan this new project in the run up to the 2007 state and federal elections we are asking for public comments and any public known research to either back or dispel it. $15 mil was the last federal bait so the door has been opened. As yet I really don’t know the answer but I can see the advantages of having fishing politicians in the system as a big start. Grant, this has only just started but it seems anglers are wary of exposing their ideas either for or against. Further, Isn't it interesting that the Federal Fisheries Minister is Ian Macdonald and the NSW State DPI Fisheries Minister is also Ian Macdonald (coincidence). Regarding having rec and pro separated (and having a fishing representative (s) elected and arguing your case as in a Barnaby Joyce situation) would be a threeway Ministerial standoff not two. The Environmental Minister also determines who survives in the resource. The main thing is that the 1 mil NSW fishers unite and innundate them. Bob Smith