MINUTES. 4. VISITORS: Marcia Pekaar (SCAC), Peter Pekaar (SCAC), Peter Read (LAAC), Ty Dunstan (LAAC)

Transcription

1 AUSTRALIAN ANGLERS ASSOCIATION, (WA DIVISION) INC. DELEGATES MEETING Held at Sports Association WA, Stancliffe Street, Mt Lawley Tuesday 15 th April 2008 at 7.30 pm MINUTES 1. OPEN MEETING Pat Shinnick opened the meeting at 7.45 and thanked everyone for coming, especially the visitors. Pat indicated there had been some correspondence from Boating Clubs regarding the Minister s proposed changes, which will be discussed later in the meeting. 2. PRESENT Jim Strong, Denmark AC & Patron Pat Shinnick, LAAC Chas Riegert, Bunbury AC Terry Fuller, SCAC George Holman, SCAC Russell Bunce, FAAC Joe Horvath, OSAC Perth Beach Branch Don Cox, Melville AC Diane McDonough, Treasurer/Secretary 3. APOLOGIES: Rick Cameron, Ian Cook 4. VISITORS: Marcia Pekaar (SCAC), Peter Pekaar (SCAC), Peter Read (LAAC), Ty Dunstan (LAAC) 5. NEW MEMBERS OR PROXIES: Nil 6. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Pat thanked Terry for recording the last minutes on the Secretary s behalf. 7. ERRORS OR OMISSIONS FROM MINUTES: Nil. It was proposed by Jim Strong and seconded by George Holman that the minutes be accepted. 8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES: Nil. 9. CORRESPONDENCE INWARDS From Subject 1. Marmion Angling & Aquatic Club Newsletter March Dept Environment & Conservation Pilbara & Lower W Kimberley Marine Parks & Reserves 3. Marine Coastal Comm Network Waves Vol 14 No 1 4. Surf Casting & Angling Club of WA Reel Talk 5. Hillarys Yacht Club Harbour Classic Brochure 3 rd May 2008 for distribution 6. Seniors Recreational Council WA Directory 2007/ Hillarys Yacht Club Compass Apr/May Dept Environment and Cons Bushland News Autumn WA Sports Federation AGM Agenda, Minutes of 2007 AGM, Annual Report CORRESPONDENCE OUTWARDS 1. Delegates & Clubs Minutes and Agenda 2. Various Reminders for State Boat Fishing Championship Sponsorship (4) 3. Melville Amateur Angling Club Letter of Congratulations Swan Fish 11. CORRESPONDENCE INWARDS (BY ) From Subject 1. Billpallot Re: Drifters DSAC 2. Recfishwest Casting around the internet with Recfishwest 3. Bob Henderson Travel arrangements 4. Pat Shinnick FW: nomination fees 5. W.S. (Bill) Rodway Drifters 6. iinet Limited iinet Limited Invoice: # RECFISH AUSTRALIA FW: survey of sharks and fishing 8. Michael Currie Fisheries Fact Sheet No 4 - The Truth About Sharks 9. Pat Shinnick Cheque from ORSSC Page 1

2 10. Terry Fuller Recfishwest Report for Minutes 18 March Marcia Pekaar Notices of motion.doc 12. Pat Shinnick RE: Cheque from ORSSC 13. Pat Shinnick RE: Cheque from ORSSC 14. Marine Coastal Comm Network The Future of MCCN 15. Pat Shinnick RE: Cheque from ORSSC 16. Anthony & Kiah Rogers National Comp 17. Pat Shinnick Pat's costs for State Boat Championships 18. Michael Currie Have Your Say About Offshore Recreational Fishing 19. Michael Currie FW: Minister releases proposed changes to recreational fishing 20. Frank Prokop Recfishwest media release 21. Pat Shinnick RE: MINUTES OF MARCH AAAWA DELEGATES MEETING 22. Pat Shinnick New Rules 23. Pat Shinnick RE: MINUTES OF MARCH AAAWA DELEGATES MEETING 24. Pat Shinnick Costs for State Boat Championships 25. Pat Shinnick RE: New Rules 26. AAAWA CHANGES REGARDING VULNERABLE ICONIC FISH 27. Andrew Donkin RE: CHANGES REGARDING VULNERABLE ICONIC FISH 28. Pat Shinnick RE: New Rules 29. Marcia Pekaar Fw: CHANGES REGARDING VULNERABLE ICONIC FISH 30. iinet Limited Low Credit 31. laurie birchall AAA Delegate 32. iinet Limited Payment Confirmation 33. Mettam, Libby rec water use motion.doc 34. Marine Coastal CommNetwork MCCN's Call for Waves articles 35. PEMB Update on the Pilbara and lower West Kimberley marine parks and reserves 36. Recfishwest Casting around the internet with Recfishwest 37. Pat Shinnick FW: Our fishing future 38. Terry Fuller Re: Our fishing future 39. Pat Shinnick RE: Our fishing future 40. Michael Currie Join the Research Angler Program 41. Michael Currie FMP 228. A Strategy for Managing the Recreational Catch of Demersal Scalefish 42. Bluewater Melville 2 Remittance Advice ATTACHED 43. Recfishwest Recfishwest Draft Submission FMP AAAWA OUR FISHING FUTURE 45. John Curtis address for Pat Shinnick 46. Pat Shinnick RE: Draft submission from the dive community re FMP Pat Shinnick FW: Draft submission from the dive community re FMP Pat Shinnick FW: New fishing proposals 49. Pat Shinnick FW: Draft submission from the dive community re FMP Mettam, Libby house logue brook desal.docx 51. Pat Shinnick RE: New fishing proposals 52. Scott Jarvis New Fishing Proposals - MOFSC Public Meeting 13. BUSINESS ARISING FROM CORRESPONDENCE Nil. It was proposed by Don Cox and seconded by Joe Horvath that the correspondence be accepted. 14. TREASURERS REPORT Westpac General Account (1/4/08) $31, Westpac Carnival Account $ Add uncredited deposits $ 1, $33, Page 2

3 Income: Marmion Angling & Aquatic Club Inc $ Nomination Fees State Boat Fishing Championships Recfishwest $ Dept Sport & Recreation Grant Ocean Reef Sea Sports Club $ Nomination Fees for State Boat Champs T J & AP Elari $40.00 Nomination Fees for State Boat Champs Marmion Angling & Aquatic Club $ Nomination Fees for State Boat Champs Mandurah OSFSC $ Nomination Fees for State Boat Champs TN & DM Bell $ Nomination Fees for State Boat Champs I J & JGM Dickson $55.00 Nomination Fees for State Boat Champs June Pennell $40.00 Nomination Fees for State Boat Champs JM & HE Hatch $35.00 Nomination Fees for State Boat Champs Mark Taylor $60.00 Nomination Fees for State Boat Champs Unknown $30.00 Nomination Fees for State Boat Champs Australian Anglers Association $ Reimbursement of expenses for delegates to attend National Conference (SA) Lancelin Electrical Contractors $ Sponsorship for State Boat Fishing Champs Bluewater Melville $ Sponsorship of State Boat Fishing Champs Westpac Bank $2.05 Interest Carnival Account Westpac Bank $32.94 Interest General Account TOTAL $ Expenditure for approval Telstra $38.31 April Account Diane McDonough $ Secretary/Treasurer Fees Iinet Annual charge for webspace service April 08-Apr 09 (reimburse to D McDonough) Officeworks 6.00 Copy Paper reimburse to D McDonough Australia Post Postage & Copy Paper reimburse to D McDonough WA Sports Federation $99.00 Membership Fee 2008 Qantas $ Two airfares Per-Adel-Per for George Holman/Bob Henderson to Attend National Convention (reimbursement to Pat Shinnick) George Holman $ Reimbursement of Expenses incurred at National Convention (SA) fuel, hire car & accommodation Pat Shinnick $ Expenses from State Boat Championships reimbursed Big W $9.96 Copy Paper reimburse to Terry Fuller Sports Association of Aust WA Div $ /2009 Membership TOTAL $ Proposed Jim Strong, seconded Joe Horvath that the Treasurer s report be accepted and the accounts passed for payment. 5. INDIVIDUAL REPORTS Estuary, Rock and Beach Report Don Cox is holding a meeting on Tuesday 22 nd April to set up for next year s Rock & Beach event. Pat suggested that Don speak with Terry Bell to organise Angler of the Year records, to enable trophies to be done. Boating Report Pat advised the next meeting will be on the Wed 21 st May. All income and expenses from the State Boating Championship have been reconciled, the event making a profit of approximately $900. He noted that competition is now more species based and more prizes are awarded. Page 3

4 Dry Casting Report George Holman and Bob Henderson attended the AAA Mid Term meeting in Wallaroo, SA on th March. A joint report has been prepared by George and Bob and this is included hereunder, together with a map of the fishing areas. Pat thanked George and Bob for representing WA and presenting the reports. AUSTRALIAN ANGLERS ASSOCIATION - MID-TERM MEETING REPORT The Mid-Term Meeting of the Australian Anglers Association was held at Wallaroo, South Australia on th March George Holman and Bob Henderson were the two Western Australian delegates. Wallaroo is an historic copper mining town and a regional farming centre situated on the eastern side of Spencer Gulf. The area is very dry and trees are scarce. The buildings in the town are old but have character. There are several historical elements in and around the town and are well worth a closer look. From an angling perspective Wallaroo has a good jetty, wharf and marina. Some of the other nearby locations such as Moonta and Port Hughes also have excellent jetties and launching facilities. The beaches to the east of Wallaroo are shallow with rocky bottoms with the occasional sand hole and ledge to fish from. The beaches west of Port Hughes are sandy and again mostly of a shallow nature and quieter water than we are used to. On arrival on the Friday we were warmly greeted by everyone from the other States and New Zealand. It was great to see them all again but it would be good to see younger delegates taking on these roles. The National AGM commenced on the Saturday morning. Apart from routine business, the Annual Report was presented and financial matters approved. The National Records Authority Report prepared by Richard (Dick) Suidak was favourably received and the WA Division was once again appointed to look after the National Fishing and Casting Records. The Meeting authorised a payment of $200 towards the Records Authority to assist with their operational finances. To qualify for a National record, a fish must be caught in Australian waters within the 200 Nautical Mile limit. National Fishing and Casting Records are up to date and these along with both application forms, are available on the WA Division website. All existing Office Bearers were willing to continue until the conclusion of the 2009 National Carnival. ACT are not financial and have indicated that they will not be renewing their membership. The Meeting then moved on to the Federal Executive Meeting and dealt with the usual formalities. Some relevant points of interest include: AAAWA received $ part reimbursement of airfares based upon an equalisation formula There are to be no convention naming rights in the future after previous problems experienced with Pirana at Phillip Island, Victoria. Sponsorship for individual events was approved. Transport costs of the perpetual trophies is to be reviewed, but it was pointed out that the winning State were responsible for costs. NSW will host the National Carnival in It has been determined that the venue will be at South West Rocks (Port Macquarie in northern NSW) and it is proposed to hold a three round boat, beach and estuary championship as compared with the two round trial being run at Wallaroo by SA. Incorporation of the National Body is to be arranged by NSW Division. Quotes for the new President s gold badges are to be obtained by SA Division and NSW Division for the next Federal Meeting. Gold plated badges are also to be considered. Convention prizes are overloading the event so it was resolved that all future prizes are to be at the discretion of the State hosting the Convention. Prizes may vary in size and cost. Any State may submit a Team of One Person. New Zealand provided delegates with handouts promoting their National Championships to be held of April 2009 at Corromandel. SA Division (Robert Hawes) is currently organising the National AAA archives, which is proving to be a mammoth task. Updates will be supplied to all divisions at regular intervals. The Federal Secretary Robert Hawes would like a copy of a National Casting Certificate so it can be placed in the archives. There is room available on the charter boats at Wallaroo for the Convention (cost $ per trip) Competition fishing during the events will take daylight saving into account NSW queried how Chas Riegert who resides in WA was able to compete for SA in the Convention held at Phillip Island. SA replied that Chas was a member of the WA Police Service, which had helped to run the Australian Police Games to raise funds towards the running of the Wallaroo Convention and became a member of a SA Angling Club. Page 4

5 For the convention all fish captures will be governed by state bag and size limits. There will be a bag limit of 20 fish per species with a minimum length of 30 cm. There will be a bag limit of 18 on Tommy Rough (Herring). WA Division has been asked to supply 150 x 56 gram and 150 x 112 gram and some 84 gram casting sinkers. Colours are to be 112 gram black; 84 gram white; and 56 gram light blue. CASTING RECORDS To clarify previous rulings with regard to what constitutes a National Casting Record it was resolved that ALL National records on the books whether cast with or without plastic tubing are to stand. Any new casting record must EXCEED the previous record. Future National Records MUST be cast at a State or National event only as per the Minutes of a previous Convention Meeting. ACCOMMODATION Prior to going to SA Bob spent a lot of time researching suitable accommodation for the WA team and on arrival checked a few out: The Kadina Caravan Park was terrible; a dust bowl and grubby. The Moonta Bay Caravan Park would have been too congested and cramped. The Port Hughes location would be troublesome as getting to and from is a run around. Motels around the place are not acceptable for a number of reasons. We selected the Office Beach Caravan Park (Wallaroo) as this site best suits the needs of our group. A tentative booking has been made for the period from Saturday 21 st of March to Sunday 3 rd of April 2009, with the 7 th night offered free. The following accommodation has been booked: 1 deluxe cabin that has 1 double bedroom with en-suite, 1 double bedroom, 1 room with 2 single bunks. It is fully self contained. The cost is $570 per week (for 2 persons) plus $5 for each additional person a total of $590 per week. 1 cabin (non-en-suite) with 1 double bedroom and 1 room with 2 double bunks. The cost is $300 per week for 2 plus $5 for each additional person. This is a total of $320 per week. 2 cabins (non en-suite) with 1 double bedroom and 1 room with a double bed that also has a single bed above. Costs are the same as the other cabin at $320 per week. The ablution block is located right opposite the cabins. There is linen (sheets and pillow cases) for hire at $10 double and $8 single per week. Team members will have to supply their own blankets and / or sleeping bag. The team members will have to decide upon allocation of accommodation. Due to the need to forward a NON-REFUNDABLE deposit of $50 per cabin by the end of MAY 2008, all prospective team members will need to confirm their attendance prior to this date. This is due to the many last minute cancellations causing major concern for all providers of accommodation. CASTING Due to a prolonged drought the Yorke Peninsula area is a dust bowl. Casting conditions will be similar to that experienced at Phillip Island. Practice casting areas are limited but this can be overcome. The proposed casting site is some 20 km from Wallaroo back past Kadina towards Port Wakefield and on the Paskerville Showground. Basic amenities are available but spread apart. A more comprehensive verbal report will be provided to the casting and state team on the accommodation bookings for accommodation / travel / casting areas etc at the next team meeting. George Holman/Bob Henderson Page 5

6 Recfishwest Report: See general business. WARCO Report: No report. Recording Officer Report Pat thanked George Holman for his assistance in helping sort out records. Henry Boogard has spoken to Richard Suidak and understands that Ian is in consultation with Richard and hopefully there will be some information in due course. George reported that at the SA Convention Richard was acknowledged for doing a good job and they have offered the $200 to assist with administrative costs. Also Pat has spoken to Adam and asked him to forward any information he has to AAAWA. Ian Cook phoned Peter Pekaar and has sent in some records forms and there are some minor discrepancies, which he will sort out. Apparently the forms and money for some records were handed in but cannot be accounted for. Ian recommended that AAA pay the outstanding fees to resolve the matter. Record applications must go through the Delegates Meeting and then to either Richard or the National Body. 10. GENERAL BUSINESS Discussion re the proposed changes to fishing regulations announced by the Minister for Fisheries RECFISHWEST RESPONSE: Terry Fuller gave a background on the proposed changes to Recreational Fishing West Coast. He tabled three papers the Minister s recommended changes, Fisheries Paper 228 and the Recfishwest response to both. The reason for this is that there are too many demersal fish being caught, stocks are declining. The Minister would like the recommendations introduced by June Page 6

7 Recfishwest have put in a detailed submission and the draft is available for public comment by both members and non members of Recfishwest. The final draft will be published on the Recfishwest website. Most comments received so far have supported the draft, so the final is unlikely to be very different from the current draft. Once published on the website, Terry will highlight on the website the differences between the two documents. Recfishwest's updated final submission will be posted on the Recfishwest website by PM Thursday 24 April. The proposals are only ONE recipe for doing what needs to be done, it is not right or wrong, or the only possible recipe. Whether it is justified and supported by the research as presented is questionable. The Minister is asking for comments and alternatives which achieves protection for the vulnerable species. 1. That the individual mixed daily bag limited for Category 1 high risk fish be reduce from seven to four fish in the West Coast Bioregion (between north of Kalbarri and East of Augusta) Recfishwest has a problem with that because it is meant to be about protecting demersal fish. Fisheries recommended all demersal fish be included in a daily bag limit of 4. There are confusing references to high risk which has previously been used to mean all category 1 fish, and highest risk referring to 5 vulnerable demersal species. The justification for the proposals is based on 5 most vulnerable species but the proposed bag limit of 4 applies to all category 1 fish, not just the demersal species. A bag limit of 4 affects shore based fishermen. This is not about bag limits for all species but protecting vulnerable species. Terry felt it was a recipe for doing what needs to be done, it is not right or wrong, whether it is supported by research is questionable. 2. That the daily bag limit for pink snapper is reduce for four to two in the West Coast Bioregion (between North of Kalbarri and east of Augusta). Recfishwest agrees. 3. That the size limit for pink snapper be increased from 41 cm to 50 cm from an area south of Kalbarri, to east of Augusta Pink snapper mature earlier in the Gascoyne region than in the rest of the West Coast region. RFW supports uniform size limits in a region, and suggest a staged increase for the whole region up to 45 in the first year and 50 the next year. 4. That a boat limit of two daily bag limits for category 1 high risk be introduced.. etc Fisheries put up two options. Recfishwest support option b(i) eg That the boat limit of two daily bag limits for Category 1 fish (demersal) is introduced for the west coast bioregion. Where five or more fishers are on board a recreational boat, an additional two category one fish should be permitted for the fifth and additional fisher. With the suggested daily limit of 4 demersal fish, this option does not differentiate between charter boats and larger recreational boats which may have 5 or more people on board. In previous times this was a concern as they could catch a significant amount of fish. There are many charter boat licences and the catch must be managed. Charter boats are required to put in catch returns. Fisheries research people know what charter boats are catching. The Charter Boat Association will no doubt put in submissions on their behalf. 5. That a seasonal restriction that prohibits the take of five vulnerable fish species (dhufish, pink snapper, baldchin groper, breaksea cod and red snapper 4 months from.. etc Many people have had problems with this and the Dec-Jan opening is so the total summer is not closed off. However, the species spawn over summer. Snapper breeds in Cockburn and Warnbro sound and are vulnerable at this time, but are separately protected. Dhufish are different, if they do form spawning aggregations, it is not known which areas are the most important for providing the eggs and young ones. Many eggs get swept away by the currents. Scientists don t exactly know what affect closing areas off will be. Reducing the catch will increase the stock and let nature do whatever it needs to replace fish dieing or being taken. Research of fish frames has shown that significant percentages of female dhufish are reabsorbing their eggs, which is a serious concern and problem. It is not known if this is caused by social or environmental causes, e.g. one possible cause is taking large males could cause an imbalance. Recfishwest believes a two month ban is sufficient when the reduction in catch from the other parts of Recfishwest s proposals are included. Page 7

8 6A. The take category 1 high risk fish by spear fishing on compressed air be prohibited in the West Coast Bioregion Recfishwest disagrees there is no evidence it will make any significant difference to the catch, but just takes away a legitimate forms of fishing for no benefit to the fish. 6B. The use of power assisted fishing reels by recreational fishers be prohibited (exemptions for disabled fishers) Recfishwest supports this. Such reels are used in very deep fishing and turn a recreational activity into a harvesting exercise. Some commercial electric reels are completely automatic, detecting the bites and reeling the fish in. Recreational use of technology is often not far behind. 6B. Compulsory use of release weights. Recfishwest recommends all boats fishing for demersal fish have a release weight, including by commercial fishermen. 7. Initiate discussion with fishing clubs to discourage public fishing competitions in the West Coast Bioregion from targeting high risk species such as dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper in prize categories Discussions with clubs and education are supported, particularly on sustainability. An important part of the recommendation is public fishing competitions. The AAAWA boating competition is not open to the public, people must be club members. 8. That the finish possession limit at the Abrolhos Islands and within the Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Area be reduced to 10 kg fillets or one day s bag limit of whole fish per person this possession limit can be transported back to the mainland Recfishwest suggests the area be classified as a low take wilderness fishing area 9. That existing voluntary logbook program be enhanced to provide additional catch and effort information for vulnerable fish species within the West Coast Bioregion Recfishwest would like compulsory log books to be considered and would like to be involved in processing the data, with results available within a few weeks, instead of it taking years as often happens now. 10. That a Recreational Fishing Trust Fund be established with business rules to enable the recreational fishing sector to have meaningful input to determining expenditure priorities This is currently $2.1m from other recreational fishing licenses, currently spent as the Minister sees fit. He believes it should go to a trust fund administered by stakeholders to provide advice on how and where it should be spent such as funding for specific research affecting recreational fishing as one example. Recfishwest have identified research areas such as how and where Dhufish breed. Also social and practical research on the impact of people changing which species they target during any restricted period. 11. That further research be undertaken to investigate the appropriateness of introducing large scale fish reserves or closed areas to provide protection for large numbers of fish or over an area, which is particularly important to spawning Without research and knowledge, nothing can be done. EVERYONE should fully support essential further research, such as the biology and location of spawning areas for species such as Dhufish. Then IF some areas are found which are very important for spawning success, RFW supports that CONSIDERATION be given to closed areas to protect these spawning fish. Such areas might not need to be closed permanently (example Cockburn Sound Pink Snapper spawning areas,) but if the proper fisheries research showed that there were real benefits for the fish stock and breeding success by closing some areas then recreational fishermen should SUPPORT such closures which were properly explained and justified in time, place and duration. Additional Recfishwest suggestions: Addition Fisheries officers will be required for research and monitoring. There is concern that the changes could be proposed for other three regions, South coast, Gascoyne and Pilbara, but everyone must remember these proposals are NOT complete reviews of all recreational fishing rules, but just urgent changes which are proposed for demersal fishing on the West Coast. Comments were made by delegates and visitors at the meeting: Ty Dunstan felt that fishing is being taken away from recreational fishermen without knowing the impact more time needs to be allowed for research. Terry responded that he felt that doing something significant Page 8

9 in the near future (such as the Minister s recommendations) were not negotiable. A creel survey was done 21 months ago July 2005 to June 2006, but the full results have not been published. The information in FMP225 was for the metro region but the information in FMP228 is for the West Coast. The two graphs show a catch per month as different. When recreational bag limits were reduced in 2003, many people thought commercial changes should be made at the same time. Now commercials are saying they are squeezed and recreationals are left unrestrained. The Minister has to do something soon, it should ALL have been done 10 years ago. Scientific evidence has not been given a chance. Terry responded that bag and size limits will simply not constrain the catch, the catch is too high. When setting targets for commercial catch in the last 7 or 8 years, the actual catch was 40 to 50% above target and now Dept of Fisheries say they got the target wrong and it should have been lower. AAAWA did a lot of work on the 2003 announcement and queried the lack of management on commercial wetline fishing then. This delay has contributed to the poor situation at the moment. Will there be some leeway regarding comps? Terry responded this applies to public competitions only Catch and release can stress fish and they may die or not spawn anyway. Recfishwest suggests that there be a closure on all demersal fish as some significant percentage of released fish will die or not spawn. Ty Dunstan suggested taking one species only and Pat responded that in the future there might be seasons reopened. Surfcasters AC want to include coral trout Joe Horvath queried whether there will be closed seasons for commercials and Pat responded that this does not form part of the proposal. Fisheries gain information on professional catches from logbooks Chas Riegert felt the Recfishwest proposal was excellent Russell Bunce felt that category 1 fish will affect the rock and beach members at FAAC. Pat acknowledged the amount of work put in by Recfishwest on the proposed changes to recreational fishing and outlined submissions from other clubs: Mandurah Offshore Fishing Club It doesn t make sense other than to win votes. They should close for the season as research has proved when they spawn. Two iconics per customer is too high and should be equal to one per paying customer. They felt Dhufish closure should apply to all iconics. Other issues include under funding of fisheries, staffing, funding for research, more equipment. Some support was received for marine parks. Divers Association: They target specific fish, as opposed to line fishermen who have no control over what fish take a bait. As amateurs they have a limit, but they get what they target. Pat agreed with the divers that they should not be affected by the proposed new rules. Marmion Angling & Aquatic Club They have 4000 members. Whilst supporting the need for limits they do not support the 5 iconic fish, they also want to utilise category 1 species, a total of 7 including high risk fish. This means you are cutting back on high risk fish, a win-win if the Minster agrees. They agree with the daily bag, the limit of fish on boats. An issue is the imposition of recommendation 1, five iconic fish, they will agree to one only. Most people in clubs are starting to go far and wide to get fish. Bigger boats can take out more people. MAAC maintains records of fishing and restrictions. They do not want recreational fishers going out when it is dangerous. Reduction of species impacts on businesses. Regarding spearfishers, the 5 vulnerable fish live in deeper water, divers are limited to minutes, not hours. MAAC agrees with 6B, 7, 8, 9 and 10. Pat thanked everyone and noted that while most clubs have differences of opinion on some items, most have congratulated the Minister on his stance. Pat will provide a template in Word format on behalf of AAAWA so clubs can change it for their own submission. With such a tight timeframe, 80% of the AAAWA response will be similar to that of Recfishwest. He asked for comments for the AAAWA submission. Meeting closed at CLOSE MEETING The meeting closed at 9.35 pm. NEXT MEETING Tuesday 20 th May 2008, 7.30 pm. Page 9

10 The AAAWA has 23 paid up club affiliates. These are: Denmark Boating and Angling Club Melville Amateur Angling Club Bunbury Angling Club Northampton Districts Angling Club Cockburn Power Boat Association Offshore Angling Club of WA Inc Beach Branch Drifters Deep Sea Angling Club Offshore Angling Club Boating Branch Esperance Surfcasters Club Offshore Angling Club Mt Barker Fremantle Amateur Angling Club South Coastal Offshore Angling Club Albany Fremantle Sailing Club Quinn s Rocks Fishing Club Geraldton Angling Club Rockingham Offshore Fishing Club Hillarys Yacht Club Fishing/Angling Section Surf Casting and Angling Club of WA Lancelin Angling and Aquatic Club Swan Yacht Club Fishing/Angling Section Mandurah Offshore Fishing & Sailing Club Fishing/Angling Section Ocean Reef Sea Sports Club Fishing/Angling Section Marmion Angling & Aquatic Club CALENDAR OF EVENTS May AAAWA Delegates Meeting 20 th May June AAAWA Delegates Meeting 17 th June July AAAWA Delegates Meeting 15 th July August AAAWA Delegates Meeting 19 th August September AAAWA Delegates Meeting 16 th September State Rock & Beach Comp Walpole-Albany long weekend th September (Broke Inlet to Albany). Times TBA October AAAWA Delegates Meeting 21 st October Dry Casting Comp at Yokine Reserve, Sunday 26 th October November AAAWA Delegates Meeting 18 th November State Estuary Comp November th (normal weekend) Walpole Estuary. Times TBA December AAAWA Delegates Meeting 16 th December 2009 March-April National Angling Championships and Convention Copper Coast at Wallaroo (SA) 21 st March-3 rd April 2009 March th State Boating Championships Cockburn (to be confirmed) 2010 March st State Boating Championships Run by MAAC (to be confirmed) Events can be added to this Calender by contacting the Secretary: Australian Anglers Association (WA Division) Inc PO Box 2200 Marmion WA 6020 aaawa@iinet.net.au Tel: Page 10