Proposal for Singapore Sports Fishery

[ShadowCaster]

Folks, thanks to an island wide feeding frenzy at my fishing spots over the weekend, I must apologise that the first draft is a bit late. I append a copy below.

The last 2 sections are still "work in progress".

For your valuable comments and input please.

I can't replicate the MS-Word format here. If you would like a proper copy, send me your email address and I'll provide a draft in MS-Word.

Incidentally, I can use some help to compile Annex A and B if there are any available.............
=======================================
[glow=red,2,300]FRAMEWORK PROPOSAL FOR A WORLD CLASS
SPORTS FISHING ENVIRONMENT IN SINGAPORE[/glow]

INTRODUCTION

Sport Fishing is a healthy outdoor pursuit that promotes environmental consciousness and community interactions. Unfortunately, the current sport fishing conditions at legitimate reservoir fishing areas in Singapore are extremely deprived. Locations such as the legal fishing areas at Lower Pierce Reservoir Park and Kranji Reservoir Park had been relegated to near barren waters due to un-regulated harvesting of game fishes.

The signatories are cautiously elated when we learned of the news that more of Singapore’s freshwater reservoirs may be opened to the public for recreational activities, including sports-fishing. We naturally welcome more potential fishing locations here in Singapore. However, we are concerned that the new fishing grounds may not necessarily improve sports fishing in Singapore without an effective framework for sports fishing management policies and means for regulation enforcement.

MERITS OF PROMOTING SPORT-FISHING IN SINGAPORE

Unlike the conventional notion of fishing where the objective is to harvest maximum amount of fishes, sports fishing employs definitive fishing tackle to target game fish in a sporting manner. Sports fishermen enjoy the activity for the outdoor environment and sporting pursuit of game fish. A rational sport fisherman always preserves and protects environmental resources to ensure sports fishing quality for the future. Some describe sports fishing as “contemplative, misanthropic, scientific in some hands, poetic in others, and laced with conflicting aesthetic considerations .”

Promote Environmental Consciousness & Conservation The promotion of sports fishing would naturally implies a larger population of Sports Fishermen in Singapore. As vindicated in worldwide trends, sports fishermen tends to consciously protects and conserves the environment and their sports fishing resources to ensure a continuous avenue of sporting pursuit. Hence, promotion of sports fishing in Singapore will invariable create a greater sense of ownership in our population to enjoy and protect our environment and water resources.

Promote Sporting Lifestyle & Community Interactions Sports fishing is an outdoor activity that can be enjoyed by all socio-economical levels of society and by all communities. The promotion of sports fishing can potentially serve not only to enhance community interactions, but also to galvanise a segment of our younger urban generation towards a more sporting and outdoors oriented lifestyle.

AIM

This paper aims to propose a policy framework and regulations that will contribute towards building a sustainable sports fishing environment in Singapore.

VISION

Our vision of the Singapore sports-fishing environment is that of a sustainable tropical sports fishing locale consisting of our freshwater reservoirs and in-land water ways that can facilitate year round sports fishing activities of world class standards for all Singaporeans and Tourists.

PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS FOR SPORTS FISHERY

Sustenance of Game Fish Population It is imperative to sustain a variety of game fish populations in our reservoirs to facilitate quality sports fishing. Adequate fish populations with high sporting qualities that are ecologically compatible with our local environment needs to be introduced and managed to provide continuous fishing resources.

Availability of Sport Fishing Areas All our current and future fresh water reservoirs are innate sport fishing and fish hatchery areas. More extent of these reservoirs needs to be made available for sports fishing activities. No additional infrastructure investment is required in addition to existing ones to accommodate sports fishermen. The existing reservoirs shorelines are well maintained and may serve as the Primary Access for sports fishermen to the reservoirs. Moreover, limited number of un-powered water-crafts may serve as the Secondary Access to the reservoirs in order to fully optimise the available fishing areas of the reservoirs. The signatories of this paper concluded that the existing practice of constructing jetties on reservoirs are NOT a cost effective means to facilitate access to sports fishing area.

KEY ENABLING FACTORS

Balanced Attrition & Rejuvenation of Game Fish Population The pool of game fish resources can only be sustained if the attrition due to fishing pressure & natural causes are balanced by population rejuvenation via natural reproduction and maintenance stocking if required.

Minimise Attrition Any Game fish is too precious a resource to be used only once. Harvesting and killing of game fishes should be controlled to minimise attrition due to fishing pressure. This may be achieved through enforcement of Catch & Release or bag limit regulations. Moreover, low cost fish habitat such as aquatic plants and underwater structure and may be used to minimise natural attrition of game fish.

Maximise Rejuvenation The most cost effective means to rejuvenate game fish populations is for the fish to reproduce naturally in our reservoir environment. This is an important criteria for game fish species selection to be introduced into our reservoirs. We also need to ascertain the ecological cycle can be sustained by the provision of a healthy bait fish population for the game fish to feed on. These bait fishes may then sustain themselves through aquatic plants or insets & crustaceans. An appropriate period of closed fishing season may also need to be instituted for some Game Fish species to ensure that breeding activities will not be disrupted. Appropriate parts of the reservoirs must also be identified as game fish hatchery where fishing activities are prohibited to ensure the rejuvenation process. If natural rejuvenation is disrupted for whatever reasons, maintenance stocking will be required to balance attrition to the population.

Simultaneous application of the above 2 strategies had been proven to be effective in established game fisheries such as Australia, The US and Canada. Strict enforcement of Catch & Release or Bag Limit regulations coupled with appropriate fish population rejuvenation program, is a key element to sustain high quality game fishing activities. A list of guidelines and principals are proposed in Annex A.

Access to Reservoirs Fishing Areas Sports fishermen need free access to these reservoir fishing areas via the shore lines for fishing activities. Exceptions may apply to restricted or hazardous zones such as water pumping & treatment facilities, hatchery areas, or area of high human traffic due to other recreational activities. Un-powered water crafts may be made available to sports fishermen on a hire basis. These water-crafts may be commercially maintained and operated to ensure economic sustainability and provide control mechanism for safety requirements.

Credible Means for Regulation Enforcement The fishing opportunities provided by the above elements are predisposed to abuse and misuse if there are no credible means to enforce fundamental regulations. Lessons learnt by mature sport fisheries in the US and Australia illustrated that strict penal code prescribing stiff penalties such as fines and jail sentences, coupled by vigilant enforcement by a well trained fishery ranger outfit are essential elements to maintain a vibrant sports fishery.

Hear Feedback From Local Sports Fishing Community It is important to constantly consider the feedback from local sports fishing community to ensure the up-keeping of sports fishing quality is Singapore.

CONCLUSIONS

The promotion of Sports Fishing in Singapore will help to cultivate environmental consciousness and ownership of our inland waterways among Singaporeans. Proliferation of Sports Fishing will also encourage social interactions among Singaporeans that transcends social-economical levels and among different communities. However, the existing policies and regulation to manage sports fishing resources in Singapore was proven to be unsustainable. Singapore, with its network of reservoirs and inland waterways has the potential to be a World Class sports fishing locale if appropriate policies and management methodology proposed in this paper are applied.

RECOMMENDATION

The Signatories recommend that the Ministry of Environment & Water Resources and the Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports jointly implement the policies and management methodology outlined in this paper to promote a sustainable sports fishing environment in Singapore.

=======================================
Please follow the link below for a complete MS Word format of the proposal document.
=======================================

[snakeriver]

Hi Tan Yik,

I must say, it is very well written. It really echoes all the points, concern and frustrations that we face fishing in our local waters. It is a giant step for us to finally have a "voice" over this issue.

[Chee Yung]

Hi TY ,

An amazingly organized intro taking into consideration a myriad number of concerns ..Please keep it up!

I'm less knowledgable about the intricacies and 'grass-root' opinions on this matter but I'll proof read your paper if it helps

Just a few thoughts regarding this draft which may or may not be relevant:
1) I like the idea of habitat restoration and 'off season' initiatives. I'd also like to add a ' nursery ' or breeding ground initiative where areas that are not normally accessible due to security/privacy reasons be designated as such 'zones'. These areas include zoo/golf course/military shorelines and public areas. Now 'why public areas?'... well, I feel that fishing where people are jogging isn't the solution ... lure or flies will eventually hook someone... so these areas should be nurseries instead. The public areas full of fish will certainly encourage many to take up a license ;D.Then, where are the fishing areas? well, I think that maybe wading or even small craft/bellyboat should be the way to go. For public fishing, kids should follow experienced anglers by joining a club or go to payponds... our pristine reservoirs are not places to chuck n chance..

2) Licensing/club membership should also be an issue to allow control and generate funds n FUN EVENTS. Fishing is never free and should never be free to avoid abuse.

3) I have magazines from Trout Unlimited and you're welcome to them if you want to send positive examples with your paper.

4) Do we know any person from similar organisations overseas that can give us support and credibility? I think a 'BIG NAME' helps.

Thanks again for your effort TY

With admiration
CY

[Qwek]

Hi YH,

I coming to the end of the channel trail for the coffee break. My worry is that the One may be invited for Tea later! ;D

Cheers
Qwek

[ShadowCaster]

Hi fellows,

Thanks for the feedback thus far. I had included CY's input into the main paper. I had also trim off some implementation details as I feel that since this is just a framework proposal, it'll be better to leave the details out for later.

I had also worked out a proposed guideline for regulations in Annex A appended below. For further comments and input please.

Can anyone advise how I can upload the 2 MS Word documents up for all to view?

=======================================
ANNEX A : PROPOSED GUIDELINES FOR SPORTS FISHING

This set of guidelines addresses four main areas of fishing responsibilities. These include:
o Sustainability of sports fishing stock,
o Protecting the environment,
o Public safety,
o Respecting the rights of other park users
These four objectives forms a framework for the specific principles stated below.

Principal #1 : Catch & Release (C&R) Only For Game Fish Species
We need to recognize that game fishes are valuable sporting resources. Hence, it is imperative that game fish resources are preserved by encouraging catch and release practices. Such practices must be strictly enforced to minimize the attrition of game fish stoke to ensure the sustainability of a quality sports fishing environment.

Principal #2 : Prohibit All Non-Sporting Fishing Means
A sporting pursuit of game fish usually involves the use of either fly fishing or lure fishing tackle. Non sporting means that aim to harvest game fish in large numbers, specifically netting of any form, fish trapping and poisoning should be strictly prohibited.

Principal #3 : Minimize Injury To Game Fish Due To Sports Fishing
Guidelines need to be promulgated to ensure that permissible sports fishing tackle allow released game fish to have a good to excellent chance of survival. Some specific restrictions on sports fishing tackle that need to be imposed are :
• All hooks are to be barbless
• Lures or flies are limited to a maximum of 2 single hooks or a maximum of 1 treble hook
• Gang hook rigs are prohibited
Moreover, incorrect handling damages fish and reduces their chances of survival after release. A fish out of water cannot live for more than three or four minutes because of brain damage caused by lack of oxygen. An exhausted fish played too long, may not recover. This means:
• retrieving fish as quickly as possible
• allow the fish to stay in the water when unhooking them
• ensuring that fish are not left to flop and flail around
• using minimum of handling to ensure that released fish have a good chance of survival
reviving tired or semi conscious fish. Hold the fish gently and move it forward to force water through its gills. When it has revived, and is able to swim normally, set it free.

Principal #4 : Observe All Fishing Regulations And Report Illegal Fishing Activities
Regulations serves to manage the fisheries for now and the future. To protect fish stocks and fish habitat, report illegal fishing activities to the relevant authorities. It is important that the fishing community does not ignore activities that threaten the fisheries and damage the reputation of responsible sports fishermen. Looking after our fisheries means:
• keeping up to date with regulations and observing them
• acquainting yourself with legal and illegal fishing areas and practices
• be familiar with tackle restrictions and checking the dates of local seasonal closures
• helping to explain fishery regulations and the reasons for them to others, especially children
• reporting black marketing of fish by recreational anglers
• reporting poaching, theft and illegal netting to the relevant authorities
• NOT presuming to act as officers of the law.

Principal #5 : Supporting Activities That Enhance Fisheries & Fish Habitat
We are all dependent on healthy ecosystems. Habitat destruction and modification, resulting largely from human activities, presents a huge threat to the maintenance of fish stocks and the availability of other species within the ecology. Restoring and enhancing fisheries and fish habitat means:
• recognising the fragility and environmental diversity of streamside vegetation, estuaries, & water vegetation. These areas provide food, shelter and important breeding and nursery areas for many fish species
• Do not remove or replace rocks or physical structure around aquatic environment
• participating in research, rehabilitation and monitoring programs if any
• educating others, especially children, in sustainable fishing practices
• be familiar with the life cycles and breeding seasons of aquatic species and fauna
• be involved in programs that restore aqua vegetation and habitat

Principal #6 : Preventing Pollution By Removing Rubbish Not Using Organic Baits
Pollution affects the health of the environment and spoils our experience of the outdoors. Natural areas continue to suffer major problems due to the side effects of human activities. Preventing pollution means:
• taking fishing line, polystyrene foam packaging, bottles, six pack holders, cups and packaging, etc. away from fishing sites. All items must be disposed of correctly.
• not using organic or natural baits as these substance may decay and pollute the reservoirs
• not leaving bait to foul rocks, river banks or beaches
• not washing rubbish, chemicals or other waste into stormwater systems. Most stormwater drains run directly into waterways

Principal #7 : Reporting Environmental Damage And Pollution To The Authorities
The protection of the environment is everyone’s responsibility. By reporting pollution problems to the relevant authorities, we help ensure that our waters become pollutant free and discourage practices that destroy fish habitat. Reporting environmental damage means:
• reporting any fuel and oil spills
• reporting all stranded or dead aquatic animals and protected species
• reporting any signs of discharge of polluted waste waters
• reporting any vegetation or stream damage, e.g. declining water quality, algae, etc.

Principal #8 : Practicing Courtesy Towards Others Who Use Reservoirs & Waterways
Lakes, creeks, rivers, and coasts are used for a variety of purposes. By recognising the rights of others to use the waters for their recreation, sports fishermen help ensure that all are equally able to enjoy their activities. We should realise that friendly rivalry can exist between recreational fishermen without the need for anyone to dominate

Principal #9 : Consider Own Safety And The Safety Of Others When Fishing
Playing it safe while fishing is good commonsense. Never risk a life while trying to catch a fish. Caring about safety means:
• observing pedestrians and other fishermen when casting lures and flies
• observing and understanding all water-craft regulations, including the carrying of the required safety equipment. Only legal watercrafts are allowed.
• keeping a safe distance from shore-based anglers, jetties, swimmers and other boats
• gaining local knowledge of common shoreline hazards including steep reservoir banks, shore platforms, deep water etc
• exercising caution and planning for contingencies

=======================================

[ShadowCaster]

I forget to mentioned that I had also sent a copy to SFAS's official email for their input and awareness.

I think it is important to hear what SFAS have to say.

Since I am not aware of what they are proposing, the least we can do is to try to minimize our local sports fishing commuity signing two different sets of tunes to the relevant authorities.

[Admin]

TY,
There is a new feature in this Upgraded Version 4.
Look at the "Post Message" page, second box(below subject)

You can attach the files with it.
Maximum size is 100 kb.

[Admin]

Here is the White Paper attachment.

FRAMEWORK PROPOSAL FOR A WORLD CLASS
SPORTS FISHING ENVIRONMENT IN SINGAPORE

INTRODUCTION

Sport Fishing is a healthy outdoor pursuit that promotes environmental consciousness and community interactions. Unfortunately, the current sport fishing conditions at legitimate reservoir fishing areas in Singapore are extremely deprived. Locations such as the legal fishing areas at Lower Pierce Reservoir Park and Kranji Reservoir Park had been relegated to near barren waters due to un-regulated harvesting of game fishes.

The signatories are cautiously elated when we learned of the news that more of Singapore’s freshwater reservoirs may be opened to the public for recreational activities, including sports-fishing. We naturally welcome more potential fishing locations here in Singapore. However, we are concerned that the new fishing grounds may not necessarily improve sports fishing in Singapore without an effective framework for sports fishing management policies and means for regulation enforcement.

MERITS OF PROMOTING SPORT-FISHING IN SINGAPORE

Unlike the conventional notion of fishing where the objective is to harvest maximum amount of fishes, sports fishing employs definitive fishing tackle to target game fish in a sporting manner. Sports fishermen enjoy the activity for the outdoor environment and sporting pursuit of game fish. A rational sport fisherman always preserves and protects environmental resources to ensure sports fishing quality for the future. Some describe sports fishing as “contemplative, misanthropic, scientific in some hands, poetic in others, and laced with conflicting aesthetic considerations .”

Promote Environmental Consciousness & Conservation The promotion of sports fishing would naturally implies a larger population of Sports Fishermen in Singapore. As vindicated in worldwide trends, sports fishermen tends to consciously protects and conserves the environment and their sports fishing resources to ensure a continuous avenue of sporting pursuit. Hence, promotion of sports fishing in Singapore will invariable create a greater sense of ownership in our population to enjoy and protect our environment and water resources.

Promote Sporting Lifestyle & Community Interactions Sports fishing is an outdoor activity that can be enjoyed by all socio-economical levels of society and by all communities. The promotion of sports fishing can potentially serve not only to enhance community interactions, but also to galvanise a segment of our younger urban generation towards a more sporting and outdoors oriented lifestyle.

AIM

This paper aims to propose a policy framework and regulations that will contribute towards building a sustainable sports fishing environment in Singapore.

VISION

Our vision of the Singapore sports-fishing environment is that of a sustainable tropical sports fishing locale consisting of our freshwater reservoirs and in-land water ways that can facilitate year round sports fishing activities of world class standards for all Singaporeans and Tourists.

PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS FOR SPORTS FISHERY

Sustenance of Game Fish Population It is imperative to sustain a variety of game fish populations in our reservoirs to facilitate quality sports fishing. Adequate fish populations with high sporting qualities that are ecologically compatible with our local environment needs to be introduced and managed to provide continuous fishing resources.

Availability of Sport Fishing Areas All our current and future fresh water reservoirs are innate sport fishing and fish hatchery areas. More extent of these reservoirs needs to be made available for sports fishing activities. No additional infrastructure investment is required in addition to existing ones to accommodate sports fishermen. The existing reservoirs shorelines are well maintained and may serve as the Primary Access for sports fishermen to the reservoirs. Moreover, limited number of un-powered water-crafts may serve as the Secondary Access to the reservoirs in order to fully optimise the available fishing areas of the reservoirs. The signatories of this paper concluded that the existing practice of constructing jetties on reservoirs are NOT a cost effective means to facilitate access to sports fishing area.

KEY ENABLING FACTORS

Balanced Attrition & Rejuvenation of Game Fish Population The pool of game fish resources can only be sustained if the attrition due to fishing pressure & natural causes are balanced by population rejuvenation via natural reproduction and maintenance stocking if required.

Minimise Attrition Any Game fish is too precious a resource to be used only once. Harvesting and killing of game fishes should be controlled to minimise attrition due to fishing pressure. This may be achieved through enforcement of Catch & Release or bag limit regulations. Moreover, low cost fish habitat such as aquatic plants and underwater structure and may be used to minimise natural attrition of game fish.

Maximise Rejuvenation The most cost effective means to rejuvenate game fish populations is for the fish to reproduce naturally in our reservoir environment. This is an important criteria for game fish species selection to be introduced into our reservoirs. We also need to ascertain the ecological cycle can be sustained by the provision of a healthy bait fish population for the game fish to feed on. These bait fishes may then sustain themselves through aquatic plants or insets & crustaceans. An appropriate period of closed fishing season may also need to be instituted for some Game Fish species to ensure that breeding activities will not be disrupted. Appropriate parts of the reservoirs must also be identified as game fish hatchery where fishing activities are prohibited to ensure the rejuvenation process. If natural rejuvenation is disrupted for whatever reasons, maintenance stocking will be required to balance attrition to the population.

Simultaneous application of the above 2 strategies had been proven to be effective in established game fisheries such as Australia, The US and Canada. Strict enforcement of Catch & Release or Bag Limit regulations coupled with appropriate fish population rejuvenation program, is a key element to sustain high quality game fishing activities. A list of guidelines and principals are proposed in Annex A.

Access to Reservoirs Fishing Areas Sports fishermen need free access to these reservoir fishing areas via the shore lines for fishing activities. Exceptions may apply to restricted or hazardous zones such as water pumping & treatment facilities, hatchery areas, or area of high human traffic due to other recreational activities. Un-powered water crafts may be made available to sports fishermen on a hire basis. These water-crafts may be commercially maintained and operated to ensure economic sustainability and provide control mechanism for safety requirements.

Credible Means for Regulation Enforcement The fishing opportunities provided by the above elements are predisposed to abuse and misuse if there are no credible means to enforce fundamental regulations. Lessons learnt by mature sport fisheries in the US and Australia illustrated that strict penal code prescribing stiff penalties such as fines and jail sentences, coupled by vigilant enforcement by a well trained fishery ranger outfit are essential elements to maintain a vibrant sports fishery. Hence, credible means

Hear Feedback From Local Sports Fishing Community It is important to constantly consider the feedback from local sports fishing community to ensure the up-keeping of sports fishing quality is Singapore.

CONCLUSIONS

The promotion of Sports Fishing in Singapore will help to cultivate environmental consciousness and ownership of our inland waterways among Singaporeans. Proliferation of Sports Fishing will also encourage social interactions among Singaporeans that transcends social-economical levels and among different communities. However, the existing policies and regulation to manage sports fishing resources in Singapore was proven to be unsustainable. Singapore, with its network of reservoirs and inland waterways has the potential to be a World Class sports fishing locale if appropriate policies and management methodology proposed in this paper are applied.

RECOMMENDATION

The Signatories recommend that the Ministry of Environment & Water Resources and the Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports jointly implement the policies and management methodology outlined in this paper to promote a sustainable sports fishing environment in Singapore.




Note:29-09-2005
Attahments replaced with text above.

[Admin]

Here is the Annex A attachment.

Thank you TY for the White Paper.
The fly fishing community need people like you.
Hope you can help us push some of the feedbacks through.


ANNEX A : PROPOSED GUIDELINES FOR SPORTS FISHING

This set of guidelines addresses four main areas of fishing responsibilities. These include:
o Sustainability of sports fishing stock,
o Protecting the environment,
o Public safety,
o Respecting the rights of other park users
These four objectives forms a framework for the specific principles stated below.

Principal #1 : Catch & Release (C&R) Only For Game Fish Species
We need to recognize that game fishes are valuable sporting resources. Hence, it is imperative that game fish resources are preserved by encouraging catch and release practices. Such practices must be strictly enforced to minimize the attrition of game fish stoke to ensure the sustainability of a quality sports fishing environment.

Principal #2 : Prohibit All Non-Sporting Fishing Means
A sporting pursuit of game fish usually involves the use of either fly fishing or lure fishing tackle. Non sporting means that aim to harvest game fish in large numbers, specifically netting of any form, fish trapping and poisoning should be strictly prohibited.

Principal #3 : Minimize Injury To Game Fish Due To Sports Fishing
Guidelines need to be promulgated to ensure that permissible sports fishing tackle allow released game fish to have a good to excellent chance of survival. Some specific restrictions on sports fishing tackle that need to be imposed are :
· All hooks are to be barbless
· Lures or flies are limited to a maximum of 2 single hooks or a maximum of 1 treble hook
· Gang hook rigs are prohibited
Moreover, incorrect handling damages fish and reduces their chances of survival after release. A fish out of water cannot live for more than three or four minutes because of brain damage caused by lack of oxygen. An exhausted fish played too long, may not recover. This means:
· retrieving fish as quickly as possible
· allow the fish to stay in the water when unhooking them
· ensuring that fish are not left to flop and flail around
· using minimum of handling to ensure that released fish have a good chance of survival
reviving tired or semi conscious fish. Hold the fish gently and move it forward to force water through its gills. When it has revived, and is able to swim normally, set it free.

Principal #4 : Observe All Fishing Regulations And Report Illegal Fishing Activities
Regulations serves to manage the fisheries for now and the future. To protect fish stocks and fish habitat, report illegal fishing activities to the relevant authorities. It is important that the fishing community does not ignore activities that threaten the fisheries and damage the reputation of responsible sports fishermen. Looking after our fisheries means:
· keeping up to date with regulations and observing them
· acquainting yourself with legal and illegal fishing areas and practices
· be familiar with tackle restrictions and checking the dates of local seasonal closures
· helping to explain fishery regulations and the reasons for them to others, especially children
· reporting black marketing of fish by recreational anglers
· reporting poaching, theft and illegal netting to the relevant authorities
· NOT presuming to act as officers of the law.

Principal #5 : Supporting Activities That Enhance Fisheries & Fish Habitat
We are all dependent on healthy ecosystems. Habitat destruction and modification, resulting largely from human activities, presents a huge threat to the maintenance of fish stocks and the availability of other species within the ecology. Restoring and enhancing fisheries and fish habitat means:
· recognising the fragility and environmental diversity of streamside vegetation, estuaries, & water vegetation. These areas provide food, shelter and important breeding and nursery areas for many fish species
· Do not remove or replace rocks or physical structure around aquatic environment
· participating in research, rehabilitation and monitoring programs if any
· educating others, especially children, in sustainable fishing practices
· be familiar with the life cycles and breeding seasons of aquatic species and fauna
· be involved in programs that restore aqua vegetation and habitat

Principal #6 : Preventing Pollution By Removing Rubbish Not Using Organic Baits
Pollution affects the health of the environment and spoils our experience of the outdoors. Natural areas continue to suffer major problems due to the side effects of human activities. Preventing pollution means:
· taking fishing line, polystyrene foam packaging, bottles, six pack holders, cups and packaging, etc. away from fishing sites. All items must be disposed of correctly.
· not using organic or natural baits as these substance may decay and pollute the reservoirs
· not leaving bait to foul rocks, river banks or beaches
· not washing rubbish, chemicals or other waste into stormwater systems. Most stormwater drains run directly into waterways

Principal #7 : Reporting Environmental Damage And Pollution To The Authorities
The protection of the environment is everyone’s responsibility. By reporting pollution problems to the relevant authorities, we help ensure that our waters become pollutant free and discourage practices that destroy fish habitat. Reporting environmental damage means:
· reporting any fuel and oil spills
· reporting all stranded or dead aquatic animals and protected species
· reporting any signs of discharge of polluted waste waters
· reporting any vegetation or stream damage, e.g. declining water quality, algae, etc.

Principal #8 : Practicing Courtesy Towards Others Who Use Reservoirs & Waterways
Lakes, creeks, rivers, and coasts are used for a variety of purposes. By recognising the rights of others to use the waters for their recreation, sports fishermen help ensure that all are equally able to enjoy their activities. We should realise that friendly rivalry can exist between recreational fishermen without the need for anyone to dominate

Principal #9 : Consider Own Safety And The Safety Of Others When Fishing
Playing it safe while fishing is good commonsense. Never risk a life while trying to catch a fish. Caring about safety means:
· observing pedestrians and other fishermen when casting lures and flies
· observing and understanding all water-craft regulations, including the carrying of the required safety equipment. Only legal watercrafts are allowed.
· keeping a safe distance from shore-based anglers, jetties, swimmers and other boats
· gaining local knowledge of common shoreline hazards including steep reservoir banks, shore platforms, deep water etc
· exercising caution and planning for contingencies




Note: Attachments replace with the text above.

[Admin]

shadowcaster said:

I forget to mentioned that I had also sent a copy to SFAS's official email for their input and awareness.

I think it is important to hear what SFAS have to say.

Since I am not aware of what they are proposing, the least we can do is to try to minimize our local sports fishing commuity signing two different sets of tunes to the relevant authorities.

Good move TY.
If we can bring SFAS on board it will be great.
They can help to gain access to the big guns in PUB and NPark.
Hopefully to the Ministers.

Just my opinion only.

Jimmy Aw will find your White Paper laced with valuable feedbacks for the SFAS and the authorities.

[AnglerAdventurer]

Good day TY,

I really appreciate your effort in writing this White Paper on behalf of the fly fishermen here and I just want to say Thank you.

Yoku Yatta ne, ShadowCaster!

Huns.

[fosey]

when is bedok reservoir going to open up for fishing?

[hackernox]

This is a great piece of work. totally deserve a big salute.
Just I felt Principals #1
Is it "encourage" or "strictly enforced". I felt strictly enforced might reduced the fun of fishing. Do you think a guideline based on bag limit and Size limit will be useful.
Again, I would say this is a great piece of work.

[mtshark]

Hi Sir,

What a nice piece of work!!!

I salute you!!!

Flyfishing's future looks brighter than ever with people like you.

Let's all hope our dreams would come true, soon.

[ShadowCaster]

hackernox said:

Just I felt Principals #1
Is it "encourage" or "strictly enforced". I felt strictly enforced might reduced the fun of fishing. Do you think a guideline based on bag limit and Size limit will be useful.

Thanks for the input!

I had actually thought hard about this a month ago and was considering between 3 options :

Option 1 : C&R is encouraged only.
Option 2 : Impose Bag & Size limit
Option 3 : Strictly C&R

Option 1 analysis : While this is the most utopian approach, I was concerned about the level of maturity of the bulk of Singaporean fishermen today. My feel is that all it takes is a few bad apples that refused to be "encouraged" to spoil the lot. The possibilities of that happening is actually very high. I had seen "anglers" frequently keeping 3inch peacock bass and baby tomans at Lower Pierce or Upper Seletar. Even in mature sports fisheries such as Australia, Canada and US, it was confirmed that the "encourage" approach does not usually work. Hence, I think the "encourage" approach is not workable here in Singapore as a start.

Option 2 analysis : I think this is the most balanced approach. However, the actual size and bag number to impose is highly scientific based. One probably needs to know the biological rythym of the particular fish such as how large it needs to be to start to spawn, rate of spawning etc., what is the anticipated volume of fishermen etc., to propose a set of valid numbers. I personally have no facilities or basis to determine a valid number to start with. Hence I feel that a safer approach is to go option 3 first. But I agree with you that we should keep this option open for the future when there are sufficient data to work on.

Option 3 Analysis : This is the most conservative approach. Possible draw back is that the public might think this is an "overkill" and its ok to bring a fish or 2 home. But weighing this against the evil of option 1 and 2, I feel that the draw back of option 3 is the most acceptable given that the primary objective is to ensusre sustanence of game fish population.

For considerations please. Best Regards.