AFANT News

Talk about bungled boat ramps, net buybacks, marine no-go zones, mining disasters etc here.
Post Reply
User avatar
Craig Ingram
Silver Member
Silver Member
Posts: 33
Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2012 8:21 am

AFANT News

Post by Craig Ingram »

Hi Everyone
Recreational fishing policy commitments of the CLP government.
After extensive discussion and media debate in the lead up to the election, AFANT received commitments from both sides of politics on recreational angling. The following is a summery of the commitments provided by the CLP Government
These commitments were provided to AFANT and the community through the CLP policy ‘Recreational Fishing - Safeguarding the Territory way of life’ and Terry Mills letter to AFANT dated 14 Aug 2012

Commercial barramundi fishing closures
• The Government will close Chambers and Finke Bays to commercial barramundi fishing a full closure of both bays from Cape Hotham to Kakadu National Park.
• The Government will implement closures of the areas around Adelaide River, Leaders Creek and the northern part of Fog Bay.
• The Government commitment is to having the closures in place before the start of the next commercial barramundi fishing season in February 2013.
• This move will include appropriate compensation to commercial barramundi fishermen along with a firm commitment to the removal of effort for these fishermen through the buy-back of licenses.
• The Government will work with the industry to determine a fair price for license buyback based on a unit measure and will invite submission from interested license holders.

Water and boating safety
• The Government make safety on our waterways a priority and implement a new safety education program within the first 6 months of Government
• The Government will work with AFANT and the Seafood Industry Council to develop a comprehensive safety awareness and education programme delivered to the community, schools and remote and rural communities within the first 6 months of forming government.
• The Government will trial the use of security cameras at boat ramps
• The Government will have a comprehensive safety awareness program underway by March next year.
• Improvements to VHF radio networks with radio repeaters in areas where most people fish will also be considered to further improve safety on the water.

Adequacy of resources
• The Government will boost the Fisheries Police Unit and ensure they are equipped to target those who break the law
• The Government will commence a review of the unit’s equipment including boats before the end of this year.2012
Boating Infrastructure and facilities
• Will build a self-launch boat ramp at Dundee Beach and investigate a secondary boat ramp at Shady Camp and locations for new suburban boat ramps in Darwin The Government will commence planning for the new facility early in 2013 with a view to having it completed in the 2014/15 financial year.
• CLP commits to a review of some of our existing ramps with particular consideration of caretaker facilities, security, toilet facilities, access
roads and lighting.
• The Government will also review the condition of roads to our more popular fishing spots and will be starting with consideration of an upgrade to Gunn Point Road to improve access to Leaders Creek, the Vernon Islands, Saltwater Arm and the lower Adelaide River

Daly River
• The Government will ensure the Daly River is managed for the benefit of all Territorians into the future.
• The Government will ensure the Daly River becomes a tourism hub and strong contributor to the Territory economy while conducting long term and comprehensive research and monitoring of the area, to ensure it remains ecologically sustainable.
Recreational Fishing Development Plan
• The Government will review the plan as soon as we take up government with a view to adopting it and commencing its implementation as soon as possible.
• The Government Will establish a Recreational Fishing Ministerial Advisory Council to open up direct communications between fishers and government.
• The Government would aim to have this Council established before the end of this year.(2012)
• The Government are also keen to see other elements of the plan implemented including programs to improve fisher understanding of sustainable fishing practices and better monitoring of recreational fishing activity.

Permits and payments
• The Government are against permits and payments for fishing
• Will inform Territorians of any negotiations or agreements with traditional owners.

AFANT
• The Government recognise the considerable contribution made by AFANT to recreational fishing in the Northern Territory and assure you that a CLP Government will continue to provide resources to AFANT so it can continue its role.

Marine Parks
• The Government will adopt a ‘common sense’ approach to marine parks and will not establish any marine parks where they are not needed.
• Any proposals for a marine protected area must be based on demonstrated need and provide clear benefits.

Awards and Recognition
• The Government will establish a Territory Recreational Fisheries Award programme to honour individuals and organisations for their contribution to the conservation, restoration and enhancement of the Territory’s recreational fisheries and their habitat.

Open Communication
• The Government will create separate departments of Primary Industry and Fisheries and Minerals and Energy in order to facilitate better investment and development in the industry.
• The Government will also re-open a direct line of communication with the relevant Minister by re-establishing Ministerial Advisory Councils and a new office of recreational fishing within the department.
• A Government Minister will always be available to industry and community groups.


2012 Darwin Boat and Outdoor living show

• AFANT had a stand and presence at the recent Darwin boat and outdoor living show.
• AFANT would like to acknowledges the support of the Lodge of Dundee in providing an additional Members draw prize which was advertised at the Boat show to attract new members this prize is in addition to the long standing support of Reidy’s lures with the Reidy’s lure and tackle box prize draw so its double the chance for members at the next AGM.

Post election AFANT activities
• AFANT has this week held discussion with the Chief Minister Terry Mills and Fisheries Minister Willem Westra Van Holthe.
• AFANT welcomes the appointment of the Hon. Willem Westra Van Holthe as the new Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries we look forward to working with Willem in this role.

As outlined in the previous post Executive Officer Chris Makepeace is retiring hopefully he will get the chance to do some more fishing from now on, I thank Chris for his assistance during the handover and his professional representation of recreational anglers issues and activity’s across the Northern Territory for the past seven and a half years.


Regards
Craig Ingram
AFANT Executive Officer
6 September 2012


User avatar
STANDY
Jedi Seadog
Jedi Seadog
Posts: 1099
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2011 1:08 pm
Location: Darwin

Re: AFANT News

Post by STANDY »

One hell of a first post

Needs tick boxes so we can tick off each as they are done
A Fish in the Boat is Worth Five in the Shop.
User avatar
AM
Jedi Seadog
Jedi Seadog
Posts: 1986
Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2010 2:33 pm
Contact:

Re: AFANT News

Post by AM »

Welcome to forum and to new job Craig.
User avatar
Agent86
Jedi Seadog
Jedi Seadog
Posts: 2275
Joined: Thu Jan 20, 2011 12:11 pm
Location: Humpty Doo NT

Re: AFANT News

Post by Agent86 »

Yep, welcome and have fun Craig!!

Good idea STANDY, will be interesting to see how long it takes to tick them all off!

Cheers
If there is water and it holds fish, then it is fun trying to fool them into eating what you offer!!

Especially when you can see them!
WhatFish
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 83
Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:10 am
Location: Girraween
Contact:

Re: AFANT News

Post by WhatFish »

The Country Liberals '100 day plan' states during week 3:
Gazette the closure of Chambers and Finke Bay.
Has this happened yet or will it go the way of a few other things in the 100 day plan?
Bottom Bashing Bloke
Jedi Seadog
Jedi Seadog
Posts: 453
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2011 6:45 pm
Location: Townsville, QLD

Re: AFANT News

Post by Bottom Bashing Bloke »

What does AFANT Stand for? this seems like a good government that got in. Open speed limits and sorting out the fishing industry
User avatar
Agent86
Jedi Seadog
Jedi Seadog
Posts: 2275
Joined: Thu Jan 20, 2011 12:11 pm
Location: Humpty Doo NT

Re: AFANT News

Post by Agent86 »

www.afant.com.au

Amateur Fishermen's Association of the NT

cheers BBB
If there is water and it holds fish, then it is fun trying to fool them into eating what you offer!!

Especially when you can see them!
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “Fishing Politics”