 |
|
Newsroom |
|
|
17 November , 2003 Interview Transcript Champions of the Bush Executive Officer Darren Chester ABC Statewide Victoria, Presenter Kathy Bedford. Topic: Gippsland Lakes environmental issues Bedford: Now it's time to talk Gippsland Lakes because it would seem there's a bit of argy bargy been going on down that way. A couple of weeks ago we heard about the declining numbers of bream in that system. The Gippsland Lakes are the largest coastal lagoon system in the southern hemisphere. They feature the world-renowned Mitchell River silt jetties; internationally recognised wetlands; and they are a playground for recreational boating, fishing and swimming. But are the lakes dying? There's been some disturbing reports in recent weeks about the famous bream fishery in crisis. Recreational anglers say the commercial fishermen are to blame and there's constant calls to ban all netting. Are we putting too much pressure on this fragile system? What do you think? Do you think we should ban commercial fishing? Just know that if we do stop netting, you and I won't be able to eat a Gippsland bream unless we drive all the way down there and catch it for ourselves. If you'd like to comment, perhaps you are a fisherman who goes down there for a spot of fishing, 1300 303 468. You're welcome to give your point of view this morning. Joining us now is Darren Chester from Champions of the Bush. Good morning Darren. Chester: Good morning Kathy. Bedford: Darren, this is a topic very close to your heart because you live at Lakes Entrance - that's exactly where the Gippsland Lakes join the 90 Mile Beach - is that right? Chester: That's right Kathy. Bedford: As far as you can see it, is there a problem? Are we being a little bit sensationalist to say the Lakes are dying? Chester: I wouldn't go as far as saying they're dying Kathy but there's certainly some issues there. In recent years we've seen things like algal blooms and some large fish kills. That's probably an indication that the Lakes and the catchment areas are under a lot of stress. They are indicators that the Lakes are not in a pristine condition but they are still a remarkable network of lakes and rivers and we can still enjoy them to a great extent. I think researchers probably argue about the level of degradation which has occurred. We must remember this has happened over 100, or 150 years - ever since there's been settlement in the catchment areas. So we're not going to expect a quick fix to these situations which have developed. They are probably a warning sign to us that we've got take more care about the Lakes system. Bedford: How important are the Gippsland Lakes to regional Victoria? I guess we're talking economically, environmentally and even socially. Chester: It would almost be impossible to measure how important they are. Environmentally they are recognised throughout the world as such an important wetland. They support a diverse range of bird, animal and fish life. It is quite a remarkable system of lakes and rivers. In terms of the economic benefits, they offer such a safe network of waterways that they are very popular with the boating fraternity - sailing, motor cruisers, speed boats. Then of course, as you alluded to in your introduction, they are very significant in terms of recreational angling and commercial fishing. So it's probably hundreds of millions of dollars per year in terms of returns to the local economy. In a social sense, the whole culture and the lifestyle of East Gippsland in particular is directed towards the waterways. We all love living near the water and we all love taking holidays near the water. So they are enormously important to the Gippsland region and the wider Victorian community. Bedford: Darren, I'm sure you have an understanding of this, living in the area, it would seem that those many different groups that have an interest in the Lakes - there's been a bit of argy bargy going back and forth between them. You've got your recreational fishermen, your commercial fishermen and even the environmentalists. Chester: Look, there's been a lot of discussion about issues involving the future use of the Gippsland Lakes and how we split up the resources in the future. Water is obviously a very important one in terms of the Thomson River and how much water goes to Melbourne and how much is allocated back to Gippsland for the dairy industry and for the environmental flows. And the fishing industry, particularly the bream fishery, has been a hot topic of discussion. It's one of those - if you excuse the expression - it's a barbecue stopper - people want to talk about fishing quite a lot and everyone's got a point of view. That's what makes it such a difficult issue to get to the bottom of. Bedford: Well Darren stay with us because Jeanette has given us a call in Eagle Point. Jeanette you've got your view on this. Talkback caller: Comments on the importance of environmental flows; irresponsible anglers; and support for commercial fishing to continue. Bedford: As you say Darren, everyone's got a view. But it also seems that there are many different organisations with responsibility for different parts of the Lakes - does that create a problem? Chester: The management structure is a bit confusing, particularly for people looking from the outside trying to understand who's responsible for what. We have things like local Councils, Catchment Management Authorities, Gippsland Coastal Board, Parks Victoria, Gippsland Ports - and then there's the volunteer groups on top of them. They all do different things and I'm not convinced that it's the best approach. The staff are working closely - they are very enthusiastic, they are very passionate about the issues - but I wonder if we would be better off, perhaps in the future, having a single Gippsland Lakes Marine Authority. Perhaps something like the Great Barrier Reef Marine Authority - it might be better to do something like that which pulls all of these resources under one roof and we can get some added focus on the Lakes. It would really send a powerful message to the community that the Gippsland Lakes are a major icon and maybe we're better off having one organisation responsible for doing everything. Bedford: Darren, what's your understanding of the relationship between the commercial and recreational fishermen? Chester: There's a relationship of managed tension I suppose you could say - they've both got differing views. It's probably almost a philosophical issue about who owns the fish that live in the Gippsland Lakes. Now if you believe that all Victorians own them and we're all entitled to buy a meal of fresh fish at the markets, then you probably have to accept that there's going to be some level of commercial harvesting both now and again in the future. But then on the flip-side of the argument, if you believe that the angling community contributes more to the regional economy through buying petrol or buying bait, staying in hotels, that's the argument which is the basis of the netting ban. The problem is, once you start blaming one group or another, we run the risk of losing sight of what has caused the problem in the first place. If all we're going to do is ban commercial netting and then let recreational anglers exploit the system - and we just heard before about some irresponsible anglers burying their fish which is just appalling - so a commercial netting ban may be too simplistic. It's probably too simplistic a solution to what is a very complex problem. Some of these major environmental issues which groups are working on at the moment - and the environmental flows is one of those key ones. Bedford: Thankyou Darren for your input this morning. We'll speak to one of the commercial fishermen in just a moment. Thankyou for joining us though. It's a good topic he's raised this week - Darren Chester from Champions of the Bush - over the viability of the Gippsland Lakes. It would be an absolute tragedy if we were to lose them for everybody. 1300 303 468 - if you would like to comment this morning. Talkback caller: Support for commercial netting ban - value of tourism industry Bedford: Let's talk to one of the commercial fishermen now from the Gippsland Lakes region and joining us is Barry McKenzie who has been a Gippsland commercial fisherman for 40 years. Discussion continues with Barry McKenzie making points relating to: Australia-wide debate between recreational and commercial fishing; significance of environmental issues in the Lakes; the need for research into the sustainability of Gippsland fisheries; bream size restrictions; and the importance of fresh water inflows. Talkback caller: Supporting the need for more environmental flows into system; critical of sprays being used to control mosquitoes; and stressing the value of tourism when compared to fishing, forestry and farming. Bedford: Duncan Malcolm is with us now. He is the Chair of the Gippsland Coastal Board - he's also Chairman of a community-based environmental group called Watermark. Discussion continues with Duncan Malcolm commenting on: management structure for the Lakes; addressing issues throughout a broad catchment; competing demands for fresh water; studies completed by CSIRO; nutrient inputs; commercial fishing issue, need for balance; and impact of Thomson Dam. Talkback caller: Macalister Irrigation District farmer - dry years make it difficult to get extra flows and questions how much water is needed for the environment given minor floods in the Latrobe River. Portland
angler - supporting commercial netting bans - says they have worked
in Portland region and assisted tourism industry.
|
|
|
|
|
