AFTER sitting for four weeks, Federal Parliament is yet to pass amendments to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, which would again allow fishing of mako sharks.
This means the earliest the amendments can be passed is this week, which is no real surprise as Environment Minister Peter Garrett finds himself in more poo than a Werribee duck, so don't be surprised if he stalls on his promise.
This column ('Shark ban a poor solution', 23/12/09) alerted anglers to the Government's plans to ban mako and porbeagle shark fishing as of the end of January.
Protests by fishers kicked off in Hastings in early January ('Shark ban earns anglers' ire', The Independent, 12/1/10).
When Convention on Migratory Species delegates met in Rome recently to discuss migratory fish species, the Australian Government delegation was supported by Humane Society International.
Having HSI attend without constructive input from an opposing group was undesirable. HSI was the only NGO to be consulted during the listing process.
Listing the mako shark was a joke, especially when government data shows that more than 70 per cent of all mako captures are tag and release and their survival rate is more than 90 per cent.
Fishermen beware – this is a dangerous precedent and listing of tuna, billfish and other sportfish species may follow. The Greens could hold the balance of power in Victoria after the November election.
Anglers need to unite as recreational fishing is worth $2.9 billion directly and has a flow-on effect of about $1.7 billion to the Australian economy annually.
What's on the chew
ANGLERS from Mornington Boat Hire have had some great catches in recent days including snapper, garfish, squid, flathead and sharks.
Snapper to one kilogram have been caught off Fishermans Beach in Mornington, Bird Rock in Mt Martha and the reefs off Safety Beach. The best bait has been pilchards and squid fished on a running sinker rig with a size 2/0 suicide hook.
Garfish are everywhere at the moment. The best method is to burley up, and if you're on a boat, simply drift an offering presented on a size 12-14 hook (squid, silverfish, clam or prawn) down the burley trail. If you are pier- or land-based, simply rig up with a float and fish your offering in your burley.
Squid have been very good from Mt Eliza to Dromana. Some good gummy sharks have been caught near Port Phillip's South Channel (don't anchor in the channel). Anchor, burley up and use squid, eel, pilchards and garfish. So get on the water and get on the fish. Tight lines and calm seas.
■Paul 'Tracker' Pingiaro is owner of Mornington Boat Hire, a fishing guide for TrackAir Adventures and contributes to Trailer Boat Fisherman, Australian Boating and Fishing Victoria. His boat hire is at Boatshed 7, Schnapper Point Drive, Mornington. Phone: 0417551373.
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