Jeez lucky your not writing the NSW fishing laws or we'd all be fishing for tadpoles in a muddy puddle! :lol:
I pay my fishing license fee & follow the rules set. What we kept that day was well below what we could have (10 snapper each in NSW). I think we kept 8 between the 3 of us.
It wasn't on a charter. The last charter I went on, some 15 odd years ago, didn't use light gear. They want ya to catch em not lose em. We were using light gear & actually lost a few good ones. Don't know how that matters though? If someone is wanting to get out there & that's the only way good for them.
For the record there have been much bigger breeders caught there & released. Up to & over 8kg.
I know you're just stating your opinion but why not put your opinion into some real fisheries issues & not some broad sided swipe at a few blokes enjoying a far to rare chance for a day out on the blue water? By the way the two blokes I went with, 1 my brother, are both avid recreational fishermen. They target different fish at different times of the year & in different spots; not to fill the esky but as their sport. They use light tackle, the sport thing, & my brother even makes his own wooden + resin lures to try out. They work well too - just ask the bass around the Hunter
.
By the way it was delicious & our share fed a family gathering of about 12 people so definitely wasn't wasted.
My opinion - can't see a problem if you are fishing & keeping within the rules. There are plenty that don't so go pick on some other bugger
