Yet ANOTHER ray senseless slaughtered - stabbed in the head and thrown back in as 'unwanted catch' (Rye Pier, 1 July 2017) We have over 28,500+ signatures on our petition to BAN the killing of ALL rays in Victoria, but NOW need to turn that number into EMAILS to support a TOTAL ban as we are almost half way through the official community consultation period. Please COPY / MODIFY and email the SAMPLE LETTER below TODAY to: stingray.consultation@vfa.vic.gov.au EVERY LETTER COUNTS! Thank you for your support of this campaign! SAMPLE EMAIL (remember to sign your NAME at the bottom!) Dear Fisheries Victoria, Thank you for recognising that there have been significant problems connected to the senseless slaughter of rays including smooth rays, fiddler rays (aka banjo sharks) and other rays in Victoria. In response to the middle ground position that has been put forward in the draft Fisheries Notice (advocating for a reduced bag limit from 5 to 1, a 400 mtr exclusion zone around any man-made structure, and a ban on taking rays over 1.5 mtrs wide), we respectfully request a bag limit of ZERO on rays throughout Victoria. A ZERO bag limit on rays is well in keeping with public opinion expressed by the vast majority of those consulted in the broader community, including over 28,500 signatures on the Project Banjo ‘Stop the Senseless Slaughter of Rays’ petition (launched in April 2017), and supported by many individuals and people of influence within the recreational fishing community. This ZERO TAKE position best recognises the value of these animals alive in their natural environments, yielding benefits to both natural and man-made underwater ecosystems where they perform vital filtration services to maintain habitat health which will benefit all water users. This position also respects and protects the iconic appeal of these animals to locals, tourists and consequently is likely to benefit local businesses in areas where they are prevalent. There is very little evidence that these animals are sought after as a target species, and arguments that rays are targeted as bait are easily addressed by the prevalence of alternatives. We believe that applying a ZERO bag limit to all species of rays, skates and guitarfish will help to remove any current confusion which may exist regarding the treatment of rays landed as both ‘wanted’ and ‘unwanted’ catch, providing clearer guidelines against which more stringent enforcement of existing and future regulations can be delivered. We do not believe that there is sufficient evidence of a sufficient number of anglers who target rays for eating purposes to justify any exemptions which would allow killing these animals in order to keep such a small percentage of their body weight. In addition to requesting the Fisheries Notice (which has a 12 month renewable lifespan) be amended to a ZERO bag limit, we request that this TOTAL BAN on taking of rays, skates and guitarfish be advanced to become REGULATION as a matter of priority. We believe that the excellent precedent set regarding the protection of rays in Western Australia based on strong community concerns has set a strong example which Victoria is now well-positioned to follow. Establishing best practice in this area would set an exemplary standard for other states and countries to follow in ways that will benefit all key stakeholders. Thank you for your concern and dedication to providing resolution to this matter. Yours sincerely,