They want permission to use live bait and to fish at entire stretch of Admiralty jetty
Feng Zengkun Straits Times 10 Jun 12;
A 400m-long jetty in Admiralty has become the centre of a dispute between avid anglers and the authorities.
On one side is a group of about 200 anglers who want to be able to use live bait at the jetty, with some also wanting to fish in the entire stretch.
On the other side is the National Parks Board (NParks), which has always banned fishing along a narrow part of the Woodlands Waterfront Jetty because sharp hooks used by the anglers may hurt passers-by. It had also banned the use of live bait at the jetty two years ago after anglers preparing bait there left rotten messes.
NParks said its officers had received complaints from visitors about the hooks and litter while patrolling the jetty and its surrounding park. No fines have been issued so far.
Fishing is allowed along another part of the jetty, which is wider.
Since February, the anglers at the part of the jetty where fishing is legal have tried to convince NParks to reverse both bans.
About 200 anglers signed a petition to lift the ban on using live bait and submitted it in February to the area's MP, Mr Vikram Nair. They say it is impossible to catch anything substantial without live bait.
National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan, who was copied in the letter, said in his blog in March that NParks would work with the anglers on the issue.
A group of about 10 volunteers have also policed the legal part of the jetty almost every day since February to encourage others to clean up after themselves. They teach new anglers there safe fishing practices such as looking around before they cast their rods and hooks.
Mr Abdul Rashid Hashim, 37, a sales manager and the leader of the volunteer group, e-mailed NParks in April to outline a campaign using fliers to explain how to reduce accidents and unsightly litter at the jetty.
The fliers could also promote safety practices when fishing at night, during thunderstorms and when the jetty is congested, he said.
NParks said it had e-mailed Mr Abdul Rashid to ask for more detailed plans and is awaiting his reply. On this matter, Mr Abdul Rashid said NParks should instead set up a time and place to meet anglers and gather their feedback.
Anglers said that the jetty's cleanliness had improved in recent years, and that rubbish at the site is usually left by weekend picnickers or casual anglers who visit the jetty only once or twice a year.
Mr Michael Chia, an angler in his 40s who goes to the legal part of the jetty on weekends, said there will always be irresponsible anglers who give the group a bad name.
'But every group has its bad sheep. I hope the authorities can work with us to limit their numbers instead of banning the entire community,' he said.
