We have to educate the kids

[hillbilly]

I spent 2 days up at Port Albert at my parents onsite van over xmas and being boatless for the first time in years I had to fish off the jetty along with dozens of holiday makers and their kids and was disgusted at the amount of undersized fish being used as footballs or slaughtered just for the fun of it by kids , most of these kids were on their own but the worse offenders were fishing with their parents who just laughed at what the little angels were doing and made no attempt to stop them, usually I would keep my mouth shut but it was so dam hot and it got the better of me so I approached the kids and the parents and explained that besides getting a hefty fine for this type of behaviour it was totally the wrong thing to be doing and was also making others on the jetty very angry, to my dismay they stopped with the slaughter and we all went about fishing again, all was well for a while till I packed up to go as I was leaving I walked past several buckets that contained undersized flathead and trevelly that were battleing to stay alive in very little water I was so %#ssed off with what I saw that I accidently on purpose kicked the buckets into the water, but just as the abuse was flying at me 2 inspectors approached and requested them to show their catch and fishing licenses, they were fined for not having a fishing license and would have gone a row if they still had undersized fish, in the end I was thanked and invited back for a beer.
After this incident I went to the local tackle outlet and returned to the jetty with a hand full of fish measurement stickers and gave one to each kid, it was good to watch them measuring each fish they caught and throwing back the undersized ones.
A little education goes a long way.
Karren :wink:

[ozdevil]

Karren top effort as it really sounds like a message has really got through to some people fishing in that area....

and good on you for going out of your way and providing all the kids a fish measuring sticker and i hope they use it on every fishing trip..

well done Karren

cheers
OZ

[grant]

BUT DID YOU GIVE THEM THE WEBSITE ADDRESS???? :-) :lol: :lol:

[hillbilly]

Thanks Oz, Ive been gonna join the fish care programe for ages but after this episode Ive made the call and just waiting for the head honcho to call back, im really looking forward to it.

Grant,
I was wearing the hat you gave me Grant and cant count how many people who asked me what it was about but did give the site address out and you should be hearing from a few younger guys around 15 ,16 years
soon after school goes back as they dont have access to computers till then, my cousin Jason and his son Shane are gonna join after the weekend , we are all going down to our onsite van to do some fishing ect
and they want to have a catch to bragg about online.

Karren. :wink:

Of all the things Ive ever lost its my mind I miss the most

[grant]

is fish care something we can help with via this site?

g./

[hillbilly]

I would think so Grant, its a voluntary organisation that train volunteers and set them up with uniforms ect so they can visit jetties, fishing shows, ect to educate people to care for our fish stocks.
Its a little more involved than this of cause, I will email you the phone numbers if you like but it will be tomorrow some time.

Karren :wink:

[hillbilly]

I would think so Grant, its a voluntary organisation that train volunteers and set them up with uniforms ect so they can visit jetties, fishing shows, ect to educate people to care for our fish stocks.
Its a little more involved than this of cause, I will email you the phone numbers if you like but it will be tomorrow some time.

Karren :wink:

[grant]

maybe they can be promoted and in exchange tell people about our forums.

g./

[hillbilly]

Hi Grant Here is a run down on Fishcare as written in the pamphlet

The fishcare aim is, To foster a concept of stewardship and responsability by Victoria,s recreational fishers and the broader community to fish resources and the aquatic enviroment.

We are a diverse group of men and women of all ages keen to share our time and abilities to help look after our fisheries.

We have been instructed in fisheries management, fish biology, current regulations and communication skills, we try to be well informed, friendly and are concerned for our fish and fish habbitat,
we can be easily recognised by our dark blue uniforms and distinctive blue / white logo.

Our focus is to focus on educating recreational anglers about the importance of being informed and responsable.

Much of our time is spent talking to people on piers, boat ramps ect,
Some of us are actively involved in speaking to groups about fishing and fish care whilst others organise and conduct fishing clinics for the juniors and novices.

We also produce newsletters and displays as well as attending comps and shows
We like to,

Foster responsable attitudes and practices,
Inform the public about fishing regulations,
Share knowledge gained through a common interest,
Help those who are young or new to the sport,
Care for our enviroment and respect other peoples rights,
Actively participate in public awareness,
Respond to the particular needs of different areas,
Emphasise the posative impact we can all have on protecting valuable resources.

For further info contact,

Port Philip / Westernport 52264667
Gippsland, 51520400
Southwest, 5561990

Natural Resources and Enviroment.

Now Ive got writters cramp I just realised I have a fax machine, "DOH " :roll:

Cheers Grant
Karren :wink:

[Steve-G]

Hi Karren, hope they can educate people to take their rubbish home as well.
Had the unfortunate luck to have a dead seal float past us whilst fishing near Pelican Is. at Corinella last weekend, its head was trapped inside a plastic bag, it upset the three kids and reduced my youngest to tears. Now he understands why I bring all my smelly old bait bags home.

[grant]

I know this sound harsh, but did you get a photo. it would be good to educate the masses on some of the larger websites as to what their rubbish (and ours) can do if not disposed of properly.

g./

[hillbilly]

Steve, Im so sorry the kids and you had to happen across this upsetting sight.
Its a bloody outrage that the seal died in what must have been a shocking death and I can find no excuse or reason for the ever growing amount of rubbish in and around our water ways, whether its been washed into the water from the streets or just thrown overboard by ignorant people.
But what makes this particular episode even more damaging and unforgiving is the fact that Steves kids had to witness the disgusting aftermath of this seals cruel and un necassary death,
When will us humans ever learn :?: :?: :?: :?:

Karren :wink:
Now Im off to our onsite van at Lang Lang to vegg out and do some land based fishing for a couple of days, if anyones up that way feel free to join me.