MPs seek to improve NSW fishing

NSW politicians will form a Parliamentary committee to improve recreational fishing in regional areas by investigating the efficacy of no-fishing areas and the number and location of recreational fishing havens.

The inquiry, instigated by Shooters Party MLC Robert Brown this week, will report back to Parliament in late 2010.

Brown, who will chair the Legislative Council Select Committee, said it would look into the benefits and opportunities that improvements to recreational fisheries would provide for fishing licence holders throughout the state.

"What I want to look at are things such as the existing regulatory, policy, and decision making processes in relation to the management of recreational fisheries.

"I also want to look at the process for the creation of marine protected areas, and the efficacy of existing marine protected areas and sanctuary zones.

"We will also look at the effectiveness of the current system of trusts and advisory committees in delivering good recreational fishing outcomes to recreational fishing licence holders.

Brown said recreational fisheries provide enormous benefits to the NSW economy. "They deserve to be properly managed. We need a halt to any more marine park lockouts, without proper scientific investigation first."

Brown had previously put forward a Moratorium Bill on the creation ofno-fishing zones in NSW waters. The Bill, if supported by Labor and the Liberal-National Opposition, would guarantee no further lockouts.

The Upper House committee will look at gaps in existing recreational fishery programs, including the number and location of recreational fishing havens, and also investigate sustainability issues related to improving recreational fisheries."

The committee will visit coastal and inland fishing areas, and will take public submissions. It will report to the Parliament by November 25, 2010.

The committee consists of:

The Hon. Robert Brown MLC (Chair) (The Shooters Party)
The Hon. Tony Catanzariti MLC (Deputy Chair) (Australian Labor Party)
The Hon. Ian Cohen MLC (The Greens)
The Hon. Mick Veitch MLC (Australian Labor Party)
The Hon. Christine Robertson MLC (Australian Labor Party)
The Hon. Duncan Gay MLC (The Nationals)
The Hon. Charlie Lynn MLC (Liberal Party)