Anglers urged to have their

say on recreational fishing

KEEN recreational anglers will be interested in a current Parliamentary inquiry into the way recreational fishing in inland and coastal New South Wales is managed, says Member for Burrinjuck, Katrina Hodgkinson.

There are more than half a million recreational fishing licence holders in the state and the committee of inquiry is seeking comments from them on the benefits and opportunities that improved recreational fisheries may represent for NSW fishing licence holders.

Submissions to this inquiry will close on Friday, March 19, 2010.

The Nationals’ MP says the inquiry will also look at the current regulatory, policy and decision making processes that control recreational fishing as well as examining the current representational system of trusts and advisory committees.

“In addition, the effectiveness of existing marine protected areas and marine parks, and the gaps in existing recreational fishery programs, including the number and location of Recreational Fishing

“How much recreational fishing contributes to the state’s economy and to ecologically sustainable development are also issues that will be considered.

“The findings of the committee are likely to be used by the State Government to change legislation governing licensed recreational fishing.

“The committee is required to hand down its findings on November 25, 2010,” Ms Hodgkinson says.

Submissions can be made via email to fishinginquiry@parliament.nsw.gov.au or fax (02) 9230 3416 or mail to The Director, Select Committee on Recreational Fishing, Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW, 2000.

The terms of reference for the inquiry and information about making a submission can be obtained from the Committee Secretariat on (02) 9230 3544 or via the committee’s website at www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/fishinginquiry

“It is important for recreational anglers to get their submissions in so they can have their say on how recreational fishing should be managed in NSW,” Ms Hodgkinson says.