Throughout 2024 it has been meeting with key decision makers in government on the needs and rights of anglers, and policies which impact on the health of native fish and the river.
These meetings are expected to continue in 2025, with members saying they are “sick to death of nothing ever changing for the betterment of our native fish”.
On behalf of the SWAA, Jim Muirhead said members are tired of the fishing fraternity being ignored.
“The SWAA is at a turning point; do we stay apolitical or do we turn political,” Mr Muirhead said.
“It depends on the governments of the day.
“Do they listen and help fishers with their concerns, or do they ignore fishers and make associations like SWAA get more frustrated who, when combined with all the fishers in the state, can influence electoral results?
“We are currently going through a series of meetings with local politicians throughout our region.
“We are doing this because governments change and politicians come and go, ministers are appointed, and we must keep these politicians informed and updated as to what our concerns are.”
Key concerns for the group include the following:
• Cold water pollution - this is where cold water is released from the bottom of dams and impacts native fish breeding due to the water temperatures. This has been on our agenda for so many years and has been falling on deaf ears. The warmer water from the top of the dams is essential to resolve this problem.
• Fish passage - this has been dramatically changed since dams and weirs have been put into place along our vast river and creek systems. All new structures must have fish ladders built into the initial construction, and passages must be installed whenever upgrades are undertaken.
• Access to rivers and creeks - our access is slowly being eroded by government decisions, with many access points lost due to the selling off of crown land and roads leading to ‘closed gates’. This is putting excessive pressure on the fishing spots that are easily accessed. There needs to be a better review system that gives recreational fishers more input into any proposed closures.
• Crown lands, state forests and National Parks - there appears to be different rules for each of these areas. Access to areas in state forests was much better for camping, fishing, having dogs with you while camping with the family and generally so much friendlier than in our national parks.
• Boat ramps - these are sadly lacking in the western regions and SWAA has been calling for improvement for many for years. We pay fees for fishing and boating licences and boat registrations, but seem to miss out on funding in the south-west region. Ramps prevent boats being launched off the river, beaches or banks which can cause riparian damage.
• All abilities access - Any access points must include wheelchair and disabled access, within reason. We find it offensive when a government agency puts in stiles for people to climb over fences, and claims it is catering for fishing access.
• Water management (Murray-Darling Basin Plan) - We believe the water the government has for the environment now is enough, and they should use this amount of water more wisely and not waste it on environmental flows at the wrong times. Pouring water into dry swamps is no answer to looking after the environment. These dry swamps, which they now call ‘wetlands’, would only get water in them when there was over bank flooding, which only really occurs every 5-7 years. Flooding land unnaturally only kills trees and helps breed more carp.
• Carp Virus - we as an association would love to see the eradication of carp, but not at the risk of the virus mutating and creating even greater problems than the carp themselves. We believe the virus should not be released due to too many uncertain aspects. Government should help industries to make a living out of these fish to help reduce them. We believe that products like Charlie Carp should be encouraged and would help reduce the biomass. We should be teaching people how to catch and export carp for food purposes, or learn how to prepare carp for our own table.
• Closed water - We have a real concern for the total closure of waters between Lake Mulwala and Tocumwal for three months (September through to the end of November). The government has this area closed to all forms of fishing at this time every year for the protection of trout cod. But trout cod are protected all year round in NSW, so this closure is only hurting the towns, caravan parks, pubs and clubs, service stations, camping and fishing shops that suffer downturn due to tourists going to other areas in NSW or Victoria for their camping and fishing trips.
The SWAA was formed in February 1981 with the purpose of providing a voice for recreational fishers and to native fish management in south-west of NSW.
It represents 25 fishing clubs, with a combined membership of about 3000, which includes the recent inclusion of clubs from northern Victoria.
The group has already met with NSW politicians like Independent Member for Wagga Dr Joe McGirr, Liberal Member for Albury Justin Clancy, Independent Member for Murray Helen Dalton and Nationals Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke.
They have also met with Jack Knowles and Pauline Murtagh from the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and Federal Nationals Senator Perin Davey and NSW Nationals Senator Scott Barnett.
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