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Crisis Bites And Anglers Take To The Water In Fishing Frenzy


mrmoshe

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Crisis bites and anglers take to the water in fishing frenzy

BELLINDA KONTOMINAS

11/04/2009 12:00:33 AM

AS THE economic crisis continues to bite, increasing numbers of recreational anglers are casting off in Sydney Harbour, hoping the fish will bite too.

More people are considering dropping a line in as an inexpensive and easy way to feed their family during uncertain financial times, according to Stan Konstantaras, the NSW president of the Australian National sportfishing Association.

In the past two years Mr Konstantaras has seen a 50 per cent increase in the number of people fishing in the harbour, partly due to the cleaner water and ban on commercial fishing.

But he says increased fishing rod and tackle sales reveal that some people are more satisfied with hunting and gathering their food than standing in a supermarket line.

"People are seeing it as a very cheap way to put food on the table," Mr Konstantaras said.

"You can either join the hustle and bustle or sit on the wharf and catch your own in the quiet, and catch a lot of fish."

While 5000 people had flocked to the Sydney Fish Markets by 6.30am yesterday to buy their Good Friday meals, the wharves around Pyrmont and the Rocks were packed with fishermen.

Guiseppe Roda, 21, of Roselands, Guido Merlino, 21, of Strathfield, Jessica Pose, 20, of Kingsgrove and Roberta Capozzi, 21, of Concord tried their luck at Darling Island Wharf in Pyrmont, hoping to catch a free Good Friday meal.

But the young Catholics had failed to catch anything, and estimated they may have spent more money in petrol driving to several fishing spots across Sydney. "We saw a kingfish at Clifton Gardens but it just teased us," Mr Roda said.

"We fish because it's tonnes nicer knowing that you caught it yourself."

"And it is a cheap way to have fun instead of going out in the city," Ms Pose added.

Ray Lautier, 52, and his son Marcus, 7, of Darlington, were fishing for fun and luckily not for dinner as the pair failed to catch anything of size.

Mr Lautier, who has been fishing since his teens, said more people appeared to be fishing due to the cleaner harbour and more TV fishing shows.

One million people in NSW fish at least once a year and at least 450,000 across the state hold a fishing licence.

A lack of public wharves and boat ramps meant increasing numbers of anglers were having to mark their territory early to capture the best spots, Mr Konstantaras said.

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Hi Mallacoota Pete Interesting to see people fishing for food because of the economy......

On Saturday night there were about 15 people fishing off Wallys wharf where I was waiting with my mate to be picked up for an all nighter..... There was no one fishing for bait and no one was using squid jigs either....... Most of the people fishing there were quite affluent looking and were fishing with little night floats using a varity of cheeses, ganged cocktail frankfurts and polish salami.....

I noticed many of them were overweight and when you add up all the little fish they were catching, I'd say they must have either been on a very low protein diet or just wanting to get out and clean all the fatty foods out of the fridge for some reason or other. :D

Cheers

jewgaffer :1fishing1:

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