At the pontoon in Lakes Drive, West Tweed Heads, there used to be a sign indicating the names of at leat 15 fish varieties that could be caught there.
Locals had told me non-commercial fishing went through its good days before urban pollution, eg, sprays and sewage, drove the fish away.
I had assumed that was the case until speaking last week to a fisherman who told me the reason was because of commercial fishing. He said it is quite legal for netting by commercial operators. As he spoke he caught at least three under-sized bream which he lawfully threw back. He wondered if the netting operators did the same with the under-sized fish they caught in their nets.
I am not one who is keen on bans on fishing; control of legitimate enterprise is not the system that made our community prosperous. However, the four or five netters need to give the waterways in the Tweed a break so as to permit the various fish to breed up and simultaneously promote recreational fishing.
I have put this idea before the newly elected local State Member Geoff Provest and look forward to his proactive treatment in the matter, which affects a valuable recreational sport in the Tweed.
Warren James
