Archived page, Recfishwest elects new Board members

Recfishwest Chairman Craig Leatt-Hayter today (28 October 2008) announced the new Board members of Recfishwest elected at the Annual General Meeting.

"There were a record number of nominations for the Board and record numbers of votes received," Mr Leatt-Hayter said. "This reflects the enormous interest in recreational fisheries management which is present in the community at the moment."

"The Annual General Meeting was well attended and the address by the new Fisheries Minister, Norman Moore was well received. The Minister promised to keep the Department of Fisheries as a stand alone agency, to actively engage the recreational sector in decision making and promised that if hard decisions needed to be made that he would implement them."

The election for Board positions was very tightly contested with up to four new Board members elected.

Former Recfishwest staff member and Murdoch University PhD candidate Andrew Rowland was elected for two years to the Board. Young future leaders participant Matthew Gillett was also elected for a one year term to the Board. Mr Tim Carter who works at Halco Tackle was elected unopposed to the fishing industry Board position for a two year term. If the Chairman, to be elected at the November Board meeting is not a representative of the angling associations, Andrew Matthews will become a Board member for the next year.

"It is extremely pleasing to see that several young people have been elected to the Board. Andrew did amazing things with the Samson Science project and his technical expertise will be highly valued by the Board. Matt Gillett is a dynamic young future leader graduate who has worked in the retail tackle industry for many years." Mr Leatt-Hayter said. "I am extremely pleased to see the highly successful young future leaders program, sponsored by the Commonwealth government, bear fruit with a new Board member."

Tim Carter has a very high profile with leading tackle company Halco and represents the Australian Fishing Tackle Association on the Board. The Charter Boat Owners and Operators Association did not nominate to contest this position.

Other Board members who were elected for a two year term were current Chairman Craig Leatt-Hayter, past executive officer of the Rock Lobster Council Steven Gill, and foundation Board Member Norman Halse. Foundation Board member Des Wood was elected for a one year term.

"Recfishwest is in a strong position at the moment. We have record membership numbers and an extremely high public profile. The new Minister has shown a constructive way forward to manage the resource sustainably and I am looking forward to the challenges of the coming year." Mr Leatt-Hayter said.

"The Annual General meeting completes a fantastic week for the organisation. Our Executive Director Frank Prokop won the inaugural Mal Ramsay Lifetime Achievement Award at the Recfish Australia Awards Dinner, after giving the keynote address at the Recfishing 2020 Conference. Recfishwest also was a finalist with the Release Weight DVD, the Fishing Clinics Program and the Young Future Leaders program."

The Young Future Leaders program was acknowledged throughout the conference as a world class project and Michael Sawyer from the course gave a superb presentation on the on-line recreational log book that he has developed.

"I was very proud to be associated with the Recfishwest projects and congratulate Frank on his well deserved award. Perhaps we were a little unlucky with the other awards, but should feel proud nonetheless." Mr Leatt-Hayter concluded.

ENDS


Media Contacts
Frank Prokop, Executive Director - Recfishwest 9246 3366 or 0419 949 118.
Craig Leatt-Hayter 0412 249 647



Young future leader Matt Gillett, third from left in front during the course
at the Abrolhos Islands with other participants, including on-line log book
developer Michael Sawyer at extreme right.

This page prepared on 28 October 2008.