Page 7 of 7

Re: New measures to safeguard stingrays

Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2017 4:43 pm
by cobby
Brett wrote:I agree Az, a far better idea and use of funds, would be to collect the info from divers, try to find a regularity of the event and then do a cpl of targeted operations. Be it hiding in the bush for hrs on end with a video camera and binos or repeatedly walking down certain piers every hr for several days.

The offenders need to be caught and dealt with, not the innocent bystanders who do the right thing.
That's not what the divers want, to much like hard work for them and gets them nowhere with their end goal. They win this, and within a few years we'll be fighting outright fishing bans off piers

Re: New measures to safeguard stingrays

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2017 8:20 am
by frozenpod
Project Banjo sample letter below they have over 700 members of there group so expect many variations on the email below will be sent in support of the proposal.

I strongly suggest everyone writes their own email opposing the proposal.

Bag limits should be set with science no emotion!

Send emails to stingray.consultation@ecodev.vic.gov.au








Off Topic
Dear Fisheries Victoria,

Thank you for recognising that there have been significant problems connected to the senseless slaughter of rays including smooth rays, fiddler rays (aka banjo sharks) and other rays in Victoria.

In response to the middle ground position that has been put forward in the draft Fisheries Notice (advocating for a reduced bag limit from 5 to 1, a 400 mtr exclusion zone around any man-made structure, and a ban on taking rays over 1.5 mtrs wide), we respectfully request a bag limit of ZERO on rays throughout Victoria.

A ZERO bag limit on rays is well in keeping with public opinion expressed by the vast majority of those consulted in the broader community, including over 28,500 signatures on the Project Banjo ‘Stop the Senseless Slaughter of Rays’ petition (launched in April 2017), and supported by many individuals and people of influence within the recreational fishing community.

This ZERO TAKE position best recognises the value of these animals alive in their natural environments, yielding benefits to both natural and man-made underwater ecosystems where they perform vital filtration services to maintain habitat health which will benefit all water users. This position also respects and protects the iconic appeal of these animals to locals, tourists and consequently is likely to benefit local businesses in areas where they are prevalent.

There is very little evidence that these animals are sought after as a target species, and arguments that rays are targeted as bait are easily addressed by the prevalence of alternatives. We believe that applying a ZERO bag limit to all species of rays, skates and guitarfish will help to remove any current confusion which may exist regarding the treatment of rays landed as both ‘wanted’ and ‘unwanted’ catch, providing clearer guidelines against which more stringent enforcement of existing and future regulations can be delivered.

We do not believe that there is sufficient evidence of a sufficient number of anglers who target rays for eating purposes to justify any exemptions which would allow killing these animals in order to keep such a small percentage of their body weight.

In addition to requesting the Fisheries Notice (which has a 12 month renewable lifespan) be amended to a ZERO bag limit, we request that this TOTAL BAN on taking of rays, skates and guitarfish be advanced to become REGULATION as a matter of priority. We believe that the excellent precedent set regarding the protection of rays in Western Australia based on strong community concerns has set a strong example which Victoria is now well-positioned to follow. Establishing best practice in this area would set an exemplary standard for other states and countries to follow in ways that will benefit all key stakeholders.

Thank you for your concern and dedication to providing resolution to this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Re: New measures to safeguard stingrays

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2017 9:33 am
by cobby
And there we have it. Selfish, self centred, egotistical megalomaniacs expose themselves as exactly that....

Re: New measures to safeguard stingrays

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2017 6:09 pm
by re-tyred
When they get that through they will move to the next species using the same emotional argument. Gummies will be cute next, then snapper and morwong and those really cute whiting that their kids have been hand feeding etc etc.

Re: New measures to safeguard stingrays

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2017 8:18 pm
by Toady king
here's my 2 cents.
it doesn't matter if the bag limit is 0, the people that are killing Rays because they're pests are still going to do it. why? because it's already illagel to kill any sort of fish unless using it for bait or eating.
in my opinion the only way to stop senseless killings of Rays or anything illagel to do with fishing, is to have more fishos present and education, but mostly the fishos.
I believe that people senselessly killing the Rays are fully aware about ️️whst Rays do, choose to do the wrong thing knowingly. it's the same issue with toad fish. everyone knows its illagel to kill them but people do it anyways.

Re: New measures to safeguard stingrays

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 12:52 pm
by hornet
A floored policy proposed without consultation or thorough investigation, other wise known as "the knee jerk syndrome" or the more common term "missing scrotum ailment" seems to be caused by dealing with small minority groups hell bent on stopping the sport of fishing.

Re: New measures to safeguard stingrays

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 2:14 pm
by rogs
Should have been done ages ago !

Re: New measures to safeguard stingrays

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 2:15 pm
by rogs
Should have been done ages ago !