Well it's good to hear your not taking a completely stereotypical point of view (no sarcasm intended).. there seems to be some level of common sense driving your brain.. and, cheers for practicing catch and release.
Agreed, there are more pressing issues such as gill nets, shark nets, illegal export etc....
Over regulation would be a bigger problem if humans weren't such a sh!t species!! You have to admit there's is a disturbingly large proportion of recreational fisher-people that take more then they can eat....at this rate of pillaging, any stock is unsustainable - if there weren't limits, people would take advantage!
What's to blame for the seal increase? Surely addressing the source would be more beneficial!? Obviously, being a Queenslander, we don't have too many seal problems
NOTE: I'm not looking to sh!t stir here - over fishing is a serious problem, worthy of educated/sincere discussion.
)...but locally, seal population has increased by the tens of thousands in the past few decades, which has made a negative impact on natural fish stocks, also bringing sharks closer to the shore. Mako sharks are the nearest thing we have to catching a Marlin, I've hooked a few, but only ever landed one (best flake ever!). If I wasn't going to eat it...I'd release it. If mako's are banned, then the 'powers-that-be' will just move onto the next species...and once fishing is banned in its entirety...the 'fun-police' will start on other sports & outdoor activities.
