Letter To Send To Ministers

[squidgie]

I want to thank John Denman for this drafted letter and i recommend that we all send it ASAP to all parties

cheers squidgie





The NSW Fisheries Minister Mr. Ian MacDonald,
Parliament House,
Sydney NSW
Cc; the Premier Mr. Nathan Rees

Dear sir,

It is with some alarm that I have read of a proposal by the conservation group the National Parks Association (NPA) to have a series of Marine Parks covering much of the NSW coastline. As a responsible recreational fisher I have no problem with selected Marine Parks where it can be scientifically proven that stocks of fish will be allowed to breed in peace and without interference from either recreational or commercial interests.

However, the proposal by the NPA appears to be little more than a complete lock out; a blanket ban on both commercial and recreational fishing, with very little credible expert input. Today’s recreational fisher has come a long way from the days where “kill it and fillet” was the catch cry. Today’s recreational fisher has a far greater understanding of the need to protect fish stocks, indeed the catch cry has now changed to “Limit your catch, don’t catch your limit.”

The proposal by the NPA also shows no provision for negotiations with existing user groups. Instead they seem bent on pushing ahead with an agenda which is so flawed it is difficult to believe it was put together by intelligent people. The recreational fishers on the other hand comprise a very large and varied group of individuals; from the holiday danglers to the dedicated person for whom the next day out on the water can’t come soon enough. These people as a whole spend vast amounts of money on fishing tackle, licenses, boats, fuel accommodation and other expenses that not only helps keep most coastal communities viable, the money also flows well into the coffers of the NSW Government. Fishing is also an important part of tourism for NSW.

For the Government to give anything more than a split second of consideration to the NPA’s proposal would be nonsensical in view of the political ramifications if not the loss in revenue. Plainly put, there is simply no valid reason for such a proposal to go ahead.

Yours Sincerely,


CONTACTS TO SEND YOUR LETTERS AND EMAILS
RE PROPOSED MARINE PARK BY NPA.

FISHERIES MINISTER MR. IAN MACDONALD
EMAIL; macdonald.office@macdonald.minister.nsw.gov.au
Phone; 02 92283344
Fax; 02 92283452

PREMIER NATHAN REES
EMAIL; thepremier@www.nsw.gov.au
Phone; 02 92285239
Fax; 02 92283935
ELECTORAL OFFICE
EMAIL toongabbie@parliament.nsw.gov.au

LOCAL STATE MEMBER MR. DON PAGE
EMAIL Don.Page@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Phone Ballina office 02 66867522
Fax Ballina office 02 66867470


National Parks Association Marine Parks Proposal
Lobby kit for concerned fisho’s

As the NPA has seen fit to attempt to push their proposal for a massive (their words) Marine Park along the coast of NSW it is up to individual fishers to respond as quickly as possible. Accordingly this kit is designed to give you the individual fisher person the immediate ability to lobby both the Premier and the Fisheries Minister as well as your local member.

This should be done using the attached letter as a guide only, try to inject some of your own ideas into it but please refrain from any character assassination or bad language. The members of the NPA seem to already consider recreational fisho’s a bunch of dimwits, so let’s not confirm it by lowering the tone of the rhetoric. We need to present a clear and concise case for the Government to throw the NPA’s proposal out. Remember you are not just doing this for yourself; you are doing it to ensure there’s a fishing future for your kids and thier’s as well.

Someone very bright once said that “Bad things only happen when good men do nothing.”