The link between 4WD Fishermen and dead fish
The following letter was submitted by a Ballina Info reader over the weekend. Please feel free to leave you own opinion on the topics raised in the comments section below. (I might even chip in myself).
To: Ballina.info,
I am writing to express my dismay at the killing of stingrays and wobbegong sharks occurring frequently along the Evans Head beach and North to South Ballina.
Fishermen are using 4WDs on the beach to find isolated and convenient fishing spots. They catch stingrays and carpet sharks and then leave them on the sand to die. The evidence can be found by walkers anywhere between the southern vehicular access point in Evans Head all along the northern stretch of beach to South Ballina. There are thirty-one kilometres of unbroken beach with 4WD access and some people use this privilege to pillage these placid creatures.
I surf, fish and walk on the beach every day and often find dead stingrays and less frequently wobbegong sharks along this stretch of beach, the carcasses invariably have a fishing hook and line in situ. Their deaths are cruel, unnecessary, and a distressing sight for nature and animal lovers.
Given the difficulties for rangers and fisheries of efficiently patrolling thirty-one kilometers of beach, isn’t it unwise to allow this much vehicle access to beaches, especially around areas such as Salty Lagoon, a natural lake that is a favourite breeding ground for native birds and fish?
I hope the council will consider taking action to restrict vehicle and fishing access to these beaches, making them easier to patrol and helping discourage the unethical killing of marine life.
Yours sincerely,
(name withheld by Ballina.Info staff)
November 2nd, 2010 at 10:19 am
Update to the story – Sorry, I forgot to add the photos.
November 3rd, 2010 at 11:21 am
I’m not sure if restricting access by 4wd will solve the problem, instead would inhibit the people doing the right thing., and people will still fish on the beach and those killing rays and shovel nose sharks will still do so. I think the only real way to sort it out is to have a great presence of authority on the beach to make poeple think twice. I Think professional fishing in the Richmond river and run off from farms and blackwater sites is a far bigger issue and one that needs to be desperately addressed for the river is the life source of our local waters. Also Wobbegong sharks are protected and usually inhabit waters around headlands, inshore reefs and rocky outcrops. I think you may have them mixed up with shovel nosed sharks which you have photo’s of above.
December 3rd, 2010 at 8:20 am
I agree with the writer above they are shovelys but still they are living creatures and if you arent going to eat them – at least try to remove the hooks and let them go. Out west we kill european carp as they are a pest and eat other fish but i dont think shoveys or stingers eat other fish or are a pest. So catch and release please ppl