neilm

Nice work Red.

The caveat that needs to be added is that any Marine Park is established based on scientific data collected within the region - not anecdotal and non-scientifc evidence hearsay the current parks are based on.

I totally agree, because once one sort of fishing is banned it's only a small step for another - we must work with and learn to accept that commercial fishing is and always will be a reality. We need to emphasise that fishers are more finely attuned to the environment than a bunch of people who smell of patchouli oil in downtown Newtown who share their environment with pigeons, not dolphins, seals, sea eagles and the marvels that we experience on a regular basis. We must also show that we are responsible to the point of proposing (to the DPI) size limits (upper & lower - for example flathead would be an ideal candidate for having an upper size limit as we all know), maybe lowering bag limits, maybe even consider what electronics we use? How important is it that we catch a feed? Another question to be considered - could a charter operator be considered a pro fisher? There is no such thing as a good deal with people who don't eat fish.

Paper Letters sent (addresses included for your reference): The Hon Carmel Tebbutt, Level 30, Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, SYDNEY NSW 2000 4th December 2008 Re: The proposed 103,000-hectare Sydney Marine Park Dear Madam, I have been made aware of a new proposal for a Marine Park on Sydney's coast and up to three kilometres offshore. You will be aware that the philosophy behind the current Marine Parks is flawed and is based on dubious scientific research, much of which was conducted overseas and in dissimilar environmental situations. I would refer to the many papers published by Professor Robert Kearney. I and many other like minded fishers are fundamentally in favour of environment and fish stock protection, but it needs to be effective and justified scientifically. So far it has not. I would urge you to propose research into effectively managing these valuable resources rather than allowing terms to be dictated by extreme minority groups like the NPA who have a declared vested interest. I would add that if this is being done as a vote buying exercise then the Green preference votes are likely to come the way of the Labor party anyway, alternatively, if this is being done as an idealistic measure, then please declare this openly and I will align myself with another party, despite having a lifelong voting history for Labor, such is my depth of feeling on this issue. Sincerely, neilm CC: The Hon. Nathan Rees, GPO Box 5341, SYDNEY NSW 2001

see this: http://www.clovermoore.com/main/?id=1840 Proposal for the Marine Park for Northern Sydney.

Unfortunately I won't be able to make it, does anyone know if there will be a transcript of the talk and Q&A available after the event, and where we can find it? Cheers

Hey check out Thursday's Manly Daily - page 4 "Red October comes to Clontarf". I wonder if they're related - certainly sounds like it.

Just a quick addition to this, salt forms crystals with sharp edges that also help to damage the braid in particular - as we all know mono is a bit more forgiving. I rinse with warm water to increase the rate that the salt disolves in the water and hopefully maximises the clean for the same amount of water. cheers,

If you can deal with the bones and the taste of mud!! Seriously though they are eaten in parts of Europe, but from what I understand they're not too good.

This from the people who still allow smoking in restaurants and office buildings!! Polictical correctness gone nuts. In reply to Davemmm - they'll make it illegal to intend to catch undersize fish. So it's not a problem eh?

RM Williams in George St. has some I believe. Or try the 'adventure/outdoors' shops that sell camping gear & accessories. Cheers

I have a drizabone - I love it. Look after it (ie. regular treatment) and it'll last forever. No zip to worry about. Only snag is that if you went in the drink with it, it would get very heavy.

PM sent, thanks mate!

I saw that report too. I have also contact DPI and have asked for a quote to get the following statistics (yes it costs money): I sent: "I am after some statistics for the kgs of fish caught every year from 2003 to the present in the Pittwater/Hawkesbury system by haul netting and trawling, I am interested in the result of the closure of the Sydney Harbour fishery following the dioxin scare and the subsequent effect on the Hawkesbury/Pittwater system. The species I am interested in are: Prawns Southern Calamari Arrow Squid Yellowtail Kingfish Bonito Frigate Mackerel Cobia Australian Salmon Tailor Yellowfin Bream Dusky Flathead Sand Flathead Flounder Mulloway Whiting Trevally Mullet I believe this information is available to the public domain, and I also understand that a cost may be associated with obtaining this data. Would you kindly advise how much the fee for obtaining this information is. " My intention is to be able to understand the effect of the closure of harbour fishing, and then subsequently to understand how the MPA and friends may try to use the stats to create a marine park. This is surely happening by design. When I get this information (they haven't yuet given me a quote - I asked more than a week ago for the quote!) I will post. BTW - on the kingfish stats that wouldn't surprise me, season before that they took tonnes out off Pitty, and have probably changed their tactic to netting just outside Broken bay when the rats come marching in.

But sharks don't have swim bladders and therefore wouldn't appear on a sounder normally - unless perhaps it had engulfed a large fish with a swim bladder? Can't explain jiggys observation though.

When you read the detail of their report, you'll see lots of statements like: "it is generally accepted" and other such nonsense. Then I checked out some of the references of their cornerstone ideology - and the documentation is being produced by themselves! So much for independent. Anyone know who the author Paul Winn is? I noticed that he does not appear to append details of his qualifications after his name which seems unusual.

Once again the greenies lose the plot. There's no flipping point having a marine park if everything is screwed by global warming!!!! Another non-scientifically proven, emotionally charged statement by the greens. The worrying thing is that the State Gov't are buying this cr@p.

Have a look at this site: http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/ I used a similar one when I went to Port Douglas a few years ago. I went on a charter by Fish 1 #####ing (featured on Rex Hunt actually) and we had a blast in the estuary systems with trevally (not GTs), mangrove jacks, barra and pikey bream. The Operator Nick is really knowledgable and a good bloke too. There is a closed season for Barra I believe, so you'd want to check that out in advance. Have a great trip

Hey mate, Narrabeen is usually pretty clear of weed, so it's not normal for a lot to be there. I'm hearing that the whiting are coming back, although not in great numbers yet - fresh worms are the key. Low tide was just before you got there, and there was a small high last night - generally fishing the incoming tide in the evening is a good plan, the bigger the tide the better I find. I would be inclined to try a variety of baits - as they say, fresh is best, but worms, pilchards, squid, slimey mackerel and so on are all good baits, depending on what you are targetting. I haven't had a chance to get out for a couple of weeks myself - I normally fish up on the northern side at least once a week, so I can't tell you any different, but the beaches will hopefully start to improve over the next week or two if my diary serves me well. Cheers

We have also tried to get commercial haul netting banned to try and stop the spread of the noxious caulerpa taxifolia weed which is a major problem in Pittwater. I have sent letter to the State govt, Pittwater LGA amongst others to try and get some action, but so far just the Dear Sir standard format 'thankyou for your letter' has come back. The best we can do is to be a bit cagey about our reports on what's happening in Pittwater (I know this is not the intention of this site, it's about sharing info) - a couple of years ago the pros were monitoring sites like this one and took action when they saw the fishing was on the improve and removed literally tonnes of kingies and ruined the season. Sorry to be a bit negative. But I'm always open to suggestions to try and get action...

What is RWC 7th and 8th place play off called? The Bledisloe Cup.

Idealistically I think most thinking fishos are "greener" and more environmentally aware than your average green voter who wouldn't know a mullet if it landed on their head. The problem is that the greens are simply another radical party in all of their many guises - and they will eat fishos alive if we're prepared to form a "partnership" with them. Did you realise that the Recfish organisation has a NCC representative on the board? Do you see any fishos on Marine Park boards? No. Have a look at this site: http://www.greenswatch.com/ Bob Kearney's report is spot on, these organisations have manipulated the Govt with a pack of lies. Cheers, neil

It's all been said here, but I will add one thing - the expensive ones last longer - I find the cloth cover on the cheapies wears through after only a couple of determined squid. And yes - support your tackle shop!!

I've fished little narra plenty of times from the beach in the southern corner. It has changed in structure dramatically over the past few months due to the swells that ran the Pasha Baulker shore. By this I mean that the sand has all but disappeared and has left some intersting structure in place. I have had some good success with salmon & bream from the beach but have not bothered with the rocks due to their low level and their instability, as per the previous post. This beach does not hold swell well at all for fishing purposes and so I find fishes best in a low swell. Let us know how you go. Cheers, neil

I'm going to Darwin to fish for GTs Queenies land based then a charter chasing spaniards next wednesday. A bit excited. Did I say I was going to Darwin?? Have a good one all. Cheers