NSW Eastern Blue Groper fishing rule changes

[rossfrb]

Received an email today from NSW Fisheries informing of a rule change on the taking of blue groper in NSW. Previously anglers were allowed to take one fish by line, this has now been banned for a 12 month trial.
What gets me is that the implied reason for the ban is due to recent high profile media reports where blue groper had been taken by spearfisherman - which is already illegal in NSW.
"Following recent spearfishing incidents involving Eastern Blue Groper at Cronulla and Jervis Bay, the NSW Government has moved forward with making our state fish a ‘no take’ species in NSW."

There is the statement "The Eastern Blue Groper has several biological characteristics that make them prone to overfishing." .
There is no mention whatsoever of whether this species is in fact an endangered or threatened species.
If there is a good reason for the ban then fine. Let the science speak.

This however smacks of pandering to interest groups and popularism.
It also sets a very bad precedent for banning activities for no good reason other than someone in government thought it might win them some brownie points in a marginal seat of to win over the favours of a minor party.

There is a heck of a lot of rocky coastline along NSW (the habitat favoured by blue groper) that is nowhere near Cronulla or Jervis Bay and in my experience even snorkelling around parts of Sydney blue groper appear plentiful.
Oh yes and this 12 month trial - how are they going to measure the effectiveness of that? No mention any pre and post ban blue groper census.
This just reads like a full ban by stealth.


https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recr ... le-changes

[Jackaroo]

If you've ever dived and interacted with one, its pretty hard to think of them being killed for a meal.

[Oldbloke]

Received an email today from NSW Fisheries informing of a rule change on the taking of blue groper in NSW. Previously anglers were allowed to take one fish by line, this has now been banned for a 12 month trial.
What gets me is that the implied reason for the ban is due to recent high profile media reports where blue groper had been taken by spearfisherman - which is already illegal in NSW.
"Following recent spearfishing incidents involving Eastern Blue Groper at Cronulla and Jervis Bay, the NSW Government has moved forward with making our state fish a ‘no take’ species in NSW."

There is the statement "The Eastern Blue Groper has several biological characteristics that make them prone to overfishing." .
There is no mention whatsoever of whether this species is in fact an endangered or threatened species.
If there is a good reason for the ban then fine. Let the science speak.

This however smacks of pandering to interest groups and popularism.
It also sets a very bad precedent for banning activities for no good reason other than someone in government thought it might win them some brownie points in a marginal seat of to win over the favours of a minor party.

There is a heck of a lot of rocky coastline along NSW (the habitat favoured by blue groper) that is nowhere near Cronulla or Jervis Bay and in my experience even snorkelling around parts of Sydney blue groper appear plentiful.
Oh yes and this 12 month trial - how are they going to measure the effectiveness of that? No mention any pre and post ban blue groper census.
This just reads like a full ban by stealth.


https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recr ... le-changes

I guess politicians will now start paying everyone's speeding fines. Same, same.

[rossfrb]

If you've ever dived and interacted with one, its pretty hard to think of them being killed for a meal.

They are cute and curious and appear "friendly" in areas where they frequently interact with humans.
But then again so can chooks, sheep, cows, pigs, rabbits, deer....

[Jackaroo]

If you've ever dived and interacted with one, its pretty hard to think of them being killed for a meal.

They are cute and curious and appear "friendly" in areas where they frequently interact with humans.
But then again so can chooks, sheep, cows, pigs, rabbits, deer....

And live to 70 - 80 years.

[No1Mk3]

Total ban on take from 1969 to 1974 due to spearfishing pressure, ban lifted on angling and commercial fishing 1974 but spearfishing prohibited ( the species is known to be particularly susceptible to this) ban introduced 1975 on commercial bottom net fishing, ban on all sales in 1980. This species of Wrasse ( it is not actually a Grouper) is under pressure again from wankers spearfishing it and everyone will pay the price, so if you hear of someone talking about spearing this fish call them out on it, it is their fault you face a ban not he governments. As for the idea there was no study being done on this issue is laughable.

[rossfrb]

Total ban on take from 1969 to 1974 due to spearfishing pressure, ban lifted on angling and commercial fishing 1974 but spearfishing prohibited ( the species is known to be particularly susceptible to this) ban introduced 1975 on commercial bottom net fishing, ban on all sales in 1980. This species of Wrasse ( it is not actually a Grouper) is under pressure again from wankers spearfishing it and everyone will pay the price, so if you hear of someone talking about spearing this fish call them out on it, it is their fault you face a ban not he governments. As for the idea there was no study being done on this issue is laughable.

Out of interest can you please clarify that last sentence in relation to anything that has been posted in this thread?

[gunderson]

I fish for them in a few places, but its also places that there are hundreds of them... not where there is one resident fish that has a first name basis with divers

[Billo]

If you've ever dived and interacted with one, its pretty hard to think of them being killed for a meal.

They are cute and curious and appear "friendly" in areas where they frequently interact with humans.
But then again so can chooks, sheep, cows, pigs, rabbits, deer....

A few years ago I use to take a sandwich bag of Ab gut down to the local rock pool and feed the resident Blueys and Snapper, epic feeding frenzy but what I really enjoyed doing was flipping rocks and watching the local Occys get smashed in what must have been a Millisecond, Blueys know exactly where all the Octopuses live and fmd they would be on them like a Labrador on a cold sausage