Recreational Fishing Inquiry - Call for Submissions

11-Mar-2010
The NSW Legislative Council has established a select committee to examine recreational fishing in NSW for both coastal and inland fisheries. The inquiry has commenced and the Committee is inviting interested people and organisations to make a submission.

Committee Chair, the Hon Robert Brown MLC said, “This parliamentary inquiry will take a thorough look at recreational fishing, for both coastal and inland fisheries, and the way it is managed in this state. There are over half a million recreational fishing licence holders in NSW and this inquiry will examine the benefits and opportunities that improved recreational fisheries may represent for licence holders.”

“This important inquiry will look at the current regulatory, policy and decision making processes that control recreational fishing. It will also examine the current representational system of trusts and advisory committees that advise government departments and statutory authorities about recreational fishing”, said Mr Brown.

Mr Brown said, “The inquiry will examine the effectiveness of existing Marine Protected Areas and Marine Parks and look at the gaps in existing recreational fishery programs, including the number and location of Recreational Fishing Havens.”

“This inquiry will also consider the value of recreational fisheries to the economy of NSW, as well as ecologically sustainable development issues related to improving recreational fisheries,” Mr Brown added.

“We are inviting submissions addressing the terms of reference, due by Friday 19 March 2010 and we will hold public hearings in Sydney and in coastal and inland regional areas during April to June next year.” The Committee membership comprises members from all over NSW:

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

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

Submissions can be submitted via email to: fishinginquiry@parliament.nsw.gov.au or faxed to (02) 9230 3416 or mailed 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 .

For further comment please contact the Hon Robert Brown MLC, Committee Chair, on 0429303250 or 9230 2573
For more information:
www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/fishinginquiry
fishinginquiry@parliament.nsw.gov.au