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Blame my Grandmother - She said it was OK!

John Harrison

Amateur Fishermen's Association of the NT, CASUARINA, AUSTRALIA

Theme: TH1

For generations Australians have been taught to fish by someone close to them - usually Dad, an uncle or friend of the family. However it was my Grandmother who taught me. And in the process of being taught I was told to respect the fish and the environment that they lived in. But never was the concept, of the very area, where she taught me, being locked up and declared a no take zone. It was always going to be an area that was special to me, and still is today, and one I continuously go back to fish and reflect on the past. Today however many areas like this are being considered or have already been declared protected areas - much to the amazement of many people who have fished there for years. You ask what is wrong with this? I hope that this contribution will perhaps shed some light on the views and feelings of the everyday angler and why they may well not understand or believe in the concept of aquatic protected areas.