rb85 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 27, 2019 6:24 pm
cobby wrote: ↑Thu Jun 27, 2019 11:28 am
Truedogz wrote: ↑Wed Jun 26, 2019 8:35 pm
I for one am sick to death of the hype around these big fishing comps and think it is well past time for the government to curb and regulate them - but I know that won't happen, there is too much vested interest involved. If the reins aren't pulled in it will end up like the USA.
Do these comps produce any benefit for the fisheries?
Years ago when I was involved with the earliest fish stockings in Queensland a very wise regulation was brought in. Large freshwater comps could only be run to raise money for improving the fishery, at that time purchasing fingerlings to stock. Local groups were running raffles etc to raise money to stock fish and once they started to get results the tackle companies, fishing gurus, etc started to move in. That's when the government wisely acted and said that if you want a piece of the action contribute.
I think this should be happening down here. Comps should be run for the benefit of all and in particular the fishery. They should be used as a means of raising funds, not just to stock fish, but to pay for habitat improvement, research, etc.
I think the prizes are getting way over the top. The honour of winning the comp with some sort of of trophy should be enough motivation. The tackle and boating industry are important players and should be able to showcase their products, but its getting to the point where they are at times highjacking our sport. Instead of sponsoring these events they should be sponsoring things to help the fishery.
Wouldn't it be great if the Mulwala Classic, Eildon Classic, all these classics in this state was used to raise funds to breed Macquarie perch and restore a once great fishery?
Best Wishes
Truedogz
You'd either need a current Vicbream/abt style live weigh in comp to gain broodstock. The competitor numbers would be smaller due to adequate live well facility constraints in most boats. And you'd still have to heavily incentivise as many participants as possible to pay for the transfer and handling of said stock.
Or the usual catch/kill, catch/photo/release style comps where entry fees are increased with that portion being donated to the likes of NFA, VFA or catchment management authorities by way of purchasing things like log hides or boulders etc. And again, the incentives will have to remain fairly large to get enough participants to make the donation portion substantial enough to be worthwhile. An extra $10pp for a comp like Go fish Nagambie that is donated to the cause wouldnt affect numbers due to the prize incentives and ends up a worthwhile figure, but if the comp was only 25% of the size then the money component isn't really worth peoples time. And it's peoples time and perception of possibilities you've got to win over in order to make a meaningful contribution
You only need to look at the Hazelwood Barra situation to see how the tackle industry hijacked something that was for the people to promote their businesses. Given the opportunity to make money the businesses will exploit it and the dishonest will lie, cheat and steal to get an advantage.
My personal views are fishing comps should be smaller grass roots event's ran by fishing clubs not large carnivals to bring the hordes in. Would also like to see Victoria go down the path of something similar to Stocked Impoundment permits for some fisheries where user pays to access. This could raise funds to create breeding programs and new fisheries for species such as Macquarie Perch.
Everyone’s opinion of the comps will vary.
The way I see it, The comps I do (vic bream) bring in quite a bit of $$$ to the local economy
The local pubs get very busy
Local Motels get busy
Local tackle shop gets good sales
Local Fuel station gets Good business
When you have a minim of 30 teams (60 Anglers) and maximum of 65 that I have so far encountered (130 anglers) and most often a few have family or friends in tow, plus the organiser committee
You can see how much money the locals make when a comp is run in town… without the latest and greatest happening the town would just be its usual sleep old self
Generally these comps are run in areas like marlo, coota, warnambool, gippy lakes etc, which are all tourism dependent on making ends meet for the local economy.
The smaller grass roots event will never be able to match the $$$ brought in by the big boys, and lets face it in these situations money talks full stop….
Im all for stocked impoundment permits for places like Blue rock and the likes, and I must say the fisheries vic is doing a great job of stocking, breeding and allowing access for people to fish in recent times
Lets hope it onwards and upwards for them in what they are doing.
I think with time places like blue rock, bulleen merri, and the likes will only get better due to what the fisheries vic is doing..
Yes unfortunately some species are missing out, but be glad we are getting all this and not like some of the other states where nothing of the sort is happening…