This process isn't easy, but it does represent a real opportunity to protect and secure good quality recreational fishing for the future. There are serious problems in the management of our recreational fishery, the major one being that your rights are not clearly defined. Without clearly defined rights it is difficult to manage and improve recreational fishing. Obviously you want the ability to access your fair share of the total catch. Local depletion is a critical issue that needs to be addressed when defining the recreational right.
Recreational fishers have the local knowledge and understanding of local conditions.
Indeed you have the incentive to protect your rights on a local basis. At the moment it is difficult for this local knowledge to be incorporated into Government's centralised decision making processes. There are many options for improving the quality of recreational fishing. Clearly these options are of interest to a wide range of people. In many situations there is no one right answer.