Anger Over Shark Fishing Ban

[Gremlin]

Anger over shark fishing ban

January 6, 2010

Recreational fishermen are up in arms about the federal government's planned ban on mako shark fishing.

Opposition fisheries spokesman Richard Colbeck says his office has been inundated with letters opposing the elevation of the longfin mako, shortfin mako and porbeagle sharks to the endangered list.

It means that from January 29, the three species can no longer be fished.

But Senator Colbeck says the ban will come at a serious cost to recreational anglers.

"Many fishing families spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars preparing their boats and buying reels and other game fishing equipment," he said.

"Should the ban go ahead, this will be money down the drain."

He said the government also had failed to provide credible evidence that the shark numbers were at risk.

Senator Colbeck has set up a petition, which he plans to present to parliament when it resumes in February, in the hope of repealing or postponing the ban.

The petition, which has so far received at least 400 signatures, calls on Environment Minister Peter Garrett to consult with the fishing industry and game fishing clubs.

More information about this can be found here on Fishraider - http://fishraider.com.au/Invision/index.php?showtopic=45235

This really sucks, I've always wanted to catch a Mako