From the front page of yesterdays's Australian. It is interesting to read about the WA lobster fishery reducing by more than a half, with further declines predicted, even though it is held up of an example of what can be done with highly intensive management using traditional fisheries management ools.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/
marine-parks-next-wave-of-water-wars/story-fn59niix-1225975659238

BEYOND the crystal ocean surrounding the Abrolhos Islands off the West Australian coast, a storm is brewing for the federal government.

The controversy could rival the water wars over the Murray-Darling Basin.

Environment Minister Tony Burke has missed Labor's self-imposed deadline of the end of the year to announce the boundaries of a network of marine sanctuaries in commonwealth waters stretching from Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia to the Abrolhos north of Perth.

For several weeks, Mr Burke has been holding roundtable discussions with commercial and recreational fishing representatives and environmental groups, as well as shipping and tourism operators, in a bid to finalise the draft South West Plan, which green groups hope will become the template for marine reserves around the nation.

West Australian tourism operator Rod Wilson, of Sea Lion Charters, says marine health has improved enormously since the creation of a state sanctuary at Green Head, a fishing village about three hours drive north of Perth where he has run charters for more than a decade.

Mr Wilson, who collects data on the sea lion population as part of his licence to take snorkellers to the area, says their numbers have almost doubled since cray fishing was restricted.

The groups claim experience from existing sanctuaries shows exclusion zones lead to more fish in the surrounding waters.

This means some of the best fishing spots of the future are likely to be on the edge of the marine sanctuaries.

Tony Abbott campaigned against marine parks before the August federal election.

Abrolhos Island fishing charter operator Jay Cox said he had witnessed a massive decline in fish stocks over the past 35 years, and things were getting worse.

"I think it will be good for fishing if there are more sanctuaries," Mr Cox said.

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http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/
marine-parks-spark-sea-wars/story-e6frg8y6-1225975517144

AFTER a 14-hour overnight shift pulling up lobster pots in rough seas about 40km off the West Australian coast, the crew of the trawler Night Stalker has had a welcome reminder of the good times that once made the rock lobster business the millionaire factory of the sea

For an industry that used to be Australia's biggest fishery but has shrunk by half, there are bigger uncertainties at play.

After the southwest, the commonwealth is due to announce the proposed zones for the north of WA, northern Australia and the northeast, taking in Cape York and meeting up with the southeast zone established by the Howard government. Environmental groups have made no secret of the fact they will want to revisit the southeast reserve, claiming it does not reduce fishing and provides little protection.

If there is unity, it is that all three groups, the government, the fishers and the environmentalists, recognise fish stocks are declining and agree that anything that increases the number of fish in the ocean is a worthwhile aim.

The push to create sanctuaries in which healthy fish stocks can breed up and spill over into surrounding areas has broad agreement.

Kane Moyle, spokesman for state-funded recreational fishing organisation Recfishwest, says there has been little consultation with recreational fishermen.

Moyle claims fishing is already managed through the states and a lot of what is being proposed is simply another tool for fisheries management.

Whatever the facts, the commercial sector knows it will carry the burden of any new regulations.

"But if they came out and said they are going to do something about the recreational sector it wouldn't get past the first base politically. It's a big deal what we are facing and I think they are targeting the wrong people."

But after a decade of turmoil in the crayfish business, Night Stalker skipper Bruce Cockman is resigned to more change.

The WA rock lobster industry used to be Australia's biggest fishery, which at its height was worth more than $400 million a year.

Today, the annual rock lobster catch is worth less than half that amount and all indications from the puerulus count -- the monitoring of juveniles, which gives a three-year leading indicator of what to expect -- are there are several lean years ahead.

Perth businessman and former Perth stock exchange chairman John Poynton says the science is compelling that if you set aside parks for fish stocks to breed up things will improve.

But after witnessing a "massive decline" in fish stocks in the past 35 years, Cox says he would be happy to see something like the Great Barrier Reef marine parks system that provides sanctuaries for fish to breed up and migrate out.

Biologist and conservationist Wendy Payne says the global view is that Australia is trying to act while we still have a fishery to protect. "The fishing industry is changing due to the environment and it is important that industry does change before we have a repeat of the [Atlantic] cod disaster, where fish stock collapsed.

Interesting FD.

Upon the east coast, its still unofficial - but there is talk of making the entire NSW (starting with the south) Coast a Sanctuary.
Ironically, it is the Australian Commercial Fishing Industry that seems to be the major player behind this Conservational manouver.
The gist is that with the ACFI making a strict NO TAKE ZONE from 1km to 20 km out to sea (usually off the shelf) - they are achieving two things: knocking out their chief competitor - the Recreational Fishing Industry and providing a sanctuary for the fish to recouperate and proliferate to become 'spillover' beyond the 20km zone. This is due that most Recreational Fishermen can't afford to go beyond 20kms and they can't really ban Father's and their kids fishing from shore so thats where the 1km comes into play (might be reduced in future to 200metres?).
This goes with the fact that many Restaurants are buying fish from Recreational Fishermen 'under the table' and not from Commercial Fishermen.

Having scuba dived the Poor Knights Islands which are strict NO TAKE ZONE, the size and proliferation, let alone the vibrancy of aquatic life is astounding ...and once the Fishermen got used to the idea of reaping more and bigger fish from 'spillover' from the zones - they were very happy.
Having dived all along the southern NSW coast - nothing much to see in the way of 'big' fish, let alone 'mass schools' of fish ...all gone.

I think the level of 'enforcement' along the NSW coast has to be looked into a lot more - go to Stockton Beach and you see one guy working x20 rods off the beach ...and there are a lot of these guys doing such.
If I had a dollar for every guy I've heard brag how they don't pay for licences (they just run or high-tail it) and take whatever they want without any trouble.
So I think its easy to make Sanctuaries - but its another thing to make 'effective enforcement'. Recreational Fisherman DILLIGAF the whole situation, so I kinda see the Commercial point of view as the more responsible, besides protecting their own future.


Palau has a big international Sanctuary ...but the country can't afford to 'enforce' it, beyond one donated boat from Australia. Hence why x40 Phillipino and other country boats continue to fish in its 'sanctuary' waters.

Well I guess I know a lot of things you don't know Pj. - sorry to say.

Its 'collective knowledge' that I'm good at.
Although I didn't go to University to become a Dux like my older sister,
I wagged school a lot and researched in libraries around Sydney from an age (from Primary) well before most go to Uni to learn how to research and I used to jigg school a lot to follow-thru with my favourite subject "School Excursions" - because lets face it, its the only time everyone at school seemed to be happy ...especially when school was in the midst of that hole known as Mt Druitt.

So my opinions are based upon facts that I've come to know and I for one am not afraid to be wrong as I find on these Forums from time to time. I ain't no Billy Goat Gruff who can't "cross a bridge and get over it".

My opinion is just an opinion, point of view, etc. I'm not here to argue pedantic points - I'm just here to have my say and to read what many others have to say.
If I say that I've been threatened with violence by Recreational Fisherman down the Sapphire Coast after emerging from a Scuba Dive because of so-called "Sanctuary" rumors and such, knowing full well it comes from the Commercial quater ...and if this is from the Commercial quater in an 'unofficial' way - then it is due mostly I guess from the 'desire' of the Commercial Fishermen themselves and nothing is in 'official' documentation because lets face it - such documentation is usually many months behind the times. Having spoken to Commercial Fishermen down the Sapphire and even in the Gong, they "quietly" admit that there is "talk" about such and they say so with some willing acceptance of the end results.
I kinda thought this has been known for years now - as I have known?

Kinda makes sense though - such a Sanctuary and I can see the Commercial tactic.
I suggest YOU look into Goat Island and the Poor Knights Islands NO TAKE ZONES yourself for the endless facts about the beneficial effects.

...I would have thought this would be common sense in an era upon this planet where Fishing results are just 4% take with superior technology over the Fishermen of 100 years ago having a tonnage take of 96% more with less technologically advanced gear.

Don't get me wrong PJ.
I ain't like 'that' at all ...except for the long hair
I firmly believe in Australian 'fishing'.
Sure there are a lot of Scuba Divers in an unholy alliance with the Greens, but as you've notice last election - there are a lot of other people too.
I don't believe in dumping ex-naval ships for falsified 'artificial reefs' when really they are just recreational dive sites ...I've been banned from DiveOz numerously for this stance.
I do believe in NO TAKE ZONES that compliment 'Fishing Zones' - for a No Take Zone provides a "motel" if you like for the fish to get it on in the name of proliferation ...something which is sadly missing around the Australian coast. To break it down a level, why fish a Bommie where the Fish find safety to breed, when you can fish a bit further away and collect the 'spillover'. If the 'spillover' is just x50% of what can be taken if the Bommie was fished also - then so be it, at least the law of nature is running the show and not financial greed and short-term stupidity to exhaust very long-term resources.
Like I said - I believe in Fishing, but if areas need to be cordened off for periods of 25 years plus for the greater good (because, specifically, the last 100 years) - then so be it for the long term profit.
I believe the Australian Fishing Industry is one of this nations best attributes unlike any other region of the world.

As for my 'opinion', well I'm not getting paid to write what I write here, so an opinion suffices quite adequately until such time.
a 'FACT' can be from word of mouth, wether you believe not or otherwise. I put forth whatever can be of value here upon the Forum.
Well written documentation would be better, but I go with what I've got.
I could be mean and say "At least I'm out there" amongst the forefront of whats coming up ahead for the country. ...to be put in writing a year after its decided.

I can see the sense of the Australian Commercial Fishery and its tactic 'if' it is indeed the 'official' case. Such a -1 to 20km NO TAKE ZONE would create a 'Barrier' (like a Great Barrier Reef? ) along the NSW Coast that would give AQUATIC LIFE, let alone FISH STOCKS a "respite" to recouperate. I mean, who wants the costly "aquafarmed" and bland tasting grain fed fish compared to the vibrant wild stuff?
Dare I say, via my opinion, that this will be the future of Nipponese Fisheries. 

I see some major changes for Australian Fishing, especially when the rest of the world is looking in this direction for leadership
...but i'm sure you knew that.

Stagnant waters.
Comfort zones.
"If it ain't broke don't fix it" says the drunk patriotic Aussie until he asks you for some 'change' because he's discovered he's 'broke'.  
...from pissing it up against the UK Prison wall because he didn't know what to do with the 'Freedom' the USA gave him.

I'm not dishing the current methods at all, I'm quite pleased with the way things are going.
But I will never stop the 'advance' of Australia's fair by denying a better future.

What has the Australian Fishing Industry done about "Artificial Reefs" to benefit the Aquatic Life recently? Or do you think a bunch of Dive Shops and VARS Divers dumping ex-naval ships under the insincere words of "artificial reef" for the real reason of Recreational Dive Site is doing the job effectively?
Maybe everyone should throw in some stolen cars, shopping trolleys and those giant barges of rubbish from the USA and Nippon? afterall, VARS's motto is "Trash for Treasure" ...rubbish for cash, rather than the wellbeing of our Aquatic population and quality.

Not only is Aquatic Life being exploited beyond the magic 50% mark of recouperation back towards its original level before the advent of mass fishing, there are no efforts made to actually help proliferate both in size and number, Aquatic Life.
Maybe you think blande tasting, grain-fed Aquaculture pens is the 'technologically advanced' superior method by 'civilised' people who are so 'un-natural' in their thinking.

Don't you think that Fish find 'survival' underwater tough as it is ...now they are being decimated by more efficient means although their numbers aren't even close to what they were 200 years ago.

I think a NO TAKE ZONE along the NSW Coast is a great 'Safety Zone' where Aquatic Life can find some 'RESPITE' if not some 'rumpy-pumpy' in peace.

...whats the matter with such a NO TAKE ZONE as proposed from some sectors of the Commercial Fishing fraternity? Can't Fishermen, let alone the Fishing Industry cope with such a challenge?
Would life be too tough to make such 'long term' changes?

I don't mean to be too testy, but Artificial Reefs are a pretty close subject to me.

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So $$$ before Aquatic Life ...nice
Save the Fishermans 'job'. Well I say stuff them. If its a 'job' they are worried about - then they can go work in Conservation, just like the National Parks got the USA outta trouble in the Great Depression.
Thats like putting Prisoners' "well-being" by Human Rights before the well-being of the innocent population at risk. Bring back Capital Punishment before these killers are released again because of 'Human Rights'. 
Change for the sake of change? More like doing a NSW version of the Great Barrier Reef for the sake of the Aquatic Life ...I mean, you do have their "well-being" as a priority don't you Or are we suffering a Fishing Industry like Land Farmers who pump litres of insecticides and other chemical sprays upon their lands until it becomes 'sterile' and they then need a 'relief package' as a $$ bail-out. Tell me the Fishing Industry isn't that pathetic?

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This is good. I didn't know this. Will follow more into this.


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I may have done "Maths in Space" and still count on my fingers occassionally, but I'm pretty sure thats still an ever-decreasing 'sustainability' excuse. Kinda sounds backwards.
I would have thought 51% would be a more 'common-sense' percentage ...at least you know your crop is still growing.
That extra 1% past the half-way mark can make a big difference.

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Its a Cop-out for the failings that preceded its introduction. The Aqua-culture 'Pens' don't give 'respite' to the NSW Coast. They merely make more money for more people in the Fishing Indsutry who can't afford to compete for what little is left out there. They are cashing in on whatever they can get by selling inferior quality food that only makes it to the shelves of Woolworths and Coles rather than top Restaurants ...well, we can only hope so. Well I hope you enjoy your 'genetic-engineered' seedless Watermelon. Besides the taste being somewhat 'zilch', taking the seeds away takes the fun away too.

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Its one thing to  'conquer' the Animal kingdom as we rise up from our past in the 'survival of the fitest' rule ...but its another thing to annihilate, obliterate and destroy due to our inability to control our fears and show some restraint with all this new found Freedom of ruling the world. Where is the 'discipline'?

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So the Fishing Industry is man/tough enough to harvest the crop unrestrained and with (short term) ignorance for 100 years ...but can't cope  with the idea of going without for a minimum of 50 years for any long term gain of allowing the crop to regenerate. It must be frustrating for Farmers to sow seed when Harvesting Machines are going mad all over the property digging whatever they can up before the seeds get a chance to bloom.
I'm pretty sure the NSW Fishery will survive, if not streamline and perfect its ways under such 'constructive' adversity (most due to their own doing). I don't think the Commercial Fisherman care about their chief competitor - Recreational Fishing, goes without more than they do. The 1km Fishing Zone is ample room for Recreational ...and I'm sure Commercial Fishing can cope with anything beyond 20kms ...or at least "Shelf Life". Survival of the Fitess - Fishing style you could say.

Something needs to be continually done and this NO TAKE ZONE along the NSW Coast (much like the Barrier Reef) is the best I've heard in ages. If you have anything better that can proliferate Aquatic Life (in size as well) ?

I think the concept of marine parks is a good thing which can work and should be supported.

The unfair and dishonest manner in which they were implimented in NSW was a disgrace.