Most game fishermen are now committed to the tag and release ethos, particularly when it comes to large billfish such as striped marlin that don’t taste that good and are probably loaded with heavy metals.

Only recently, I wrote an article about Narooma High School student Georgia Poyner (pictured) catching and releasing a huge 140kg plus striped marlin on light spin gear off her dad's inflatable boat.   

It was surprising to see so many marlin heads and frames at the Bermi boat ramp, but it should be noted anglers are not allowed to clean their catch at sea, because Fisheries officers need to see whole fish for compliance purposes.

The Bega Valley Shire Council does a good job with its fish bins, and in the busy season there used to be a fish waste trailer, at Bermagui. The fish used to be taken to the Bermi tip and composted.

Bermagui motel owner John Singleton also contacted us to defend recreational fishers and the council.

He says the bins meant for fish waste were often filled with household rubbish long before any fish could be placed in them.

People dumping household rubbish in the fish bin has apparently been a problem at both Bermagui boat ramps for many years.

He noted that Bega Valley Shire Council workers responded quickly to complaints about the overflowing bins and they were emptied later that day.

The issue of fish waste bins, or lack of fish bins, at Narooma meanwhile has come to light after recent incidents of seals becoming aggressive after being fed at fish-cleaning tables.

Unfortunately, Narooma won’t be getting fish waste bins because a council spokesperson says the Eurobodalla Council will not install any at this point in time due to the potential for vandalism, along with costs for maintenance and cleaning.

So Bermagui residents and visitors should be grateful for the fish bin service

It would of course be nice to see more fish being released alive at sea and also people on land taking more responsibility and not abusing the system or spoiling their own environment, as was the case of the pop-up party at the Tathra Lions Park.

- Stan Gorton