Lou Hadju wrote:
Kallum wrote:
tomfraser wrote:
At least this bloke has the Sea fishes book. It's a pity he can't distinguish between a Magpie Morwong and a Banded.
My 2 cents.
Seems like a lot of discussions over a rookie mistake.
Yep.
I reckon some of you guys are way too hard on beginners.
And fish ID books, a lot of the time, just don't cut it.... unless they are actual photo's ... and even then, the photo is generally depicting the fish at close range, side on, flash used, motionless.... never the case in real life.
Tom, with all due respect.... how many articles have ever appeared in the Herald Sun about a spearo with an undersize fish?
For what its worth... the last time I spoke to the fisheries about these matters, the fine for taking an undersize fish was an on the spotter of $130. Hardly earth shattering stuff.
Cut the new guys some slack. Sure, one or two will fuck up, in a minor way, just like we all have.... but like the rest of us, they will learn quick and all will be good.
Fine, fair call about cutting them slack. I will if you don't tell them it is ok to shoot unidentified fish like you did earlier on this thread.
As for articles in the Herald Sun, all we need is one Lou. Have you not followed what is happening in the Australian political climate regarding fisheries of late. It would be naive to think that if someone got pulled up for shooting a couple of undersized fish that there was no chance it wouldn't find its way into the public eye. People will jump at every opportunity to have a go and provide reasons why fishers/spearfishers are 'irresponsible', 'ignorant' etc. etc.
No use telling newer spearos that it is ok to shoot unidentified fish in Victorian waters. That is not the line that we as spearos should be taking full stop.There is no reason why someone cannot at least look at the fisheries book and make sure they know the fish that have a limit. There is not a great deal of them. If you spend a little time studying those fish then you will be sure not to shoot something undersize that could get you in trouble. If we get this message out there from the onset then the sport will be seen more sustainably and responsibly in the public eye. No one likes walking down the beach and seeing fisherman or spearos walking to their car with undersized fish.
I will not argue with you about these subjects. I have made my point, you have made yours. Let's move on.