Petition updateSTOP THE SENSELESS SLAUGHTER OF RAYS30,000+ Signatures but we STILL need more emails by 14 August!
Project Banjo Action Group
Aug 5, 2017 — URGENT: HAVE YOU SENT YOUR EMAIL OF SUPPORT BEFORE THE 14 AUGUST DEADLINE??? We are so excited to have just reached 30,700+ signatures on this petition BUT ... we now have ONLY 9 DAYS LEFT in the official public consultation period to see whether we can change the law to protect the rays of Victoria - EVERY. EMAIL. COUNTS! If you haven't already, please copy / modify / sign the SAMPLE LETTER BELOW (or write your own!) and email URGENTLY to stingray.consultation@vfa.vic.gov.au If you have SIGNED & SHARED this petition AND EMAILED YOUR SUPPORT of the proposed legal changes, YOU have made a SIGNIFICANT contribution to this campaign for better outcomes for the rays of Victoria (and our MASSIVE thanks to all who have donated to promote this petition even further!) ________________________________________________________________ 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,
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