Water Safety was the key theme presented recently to 40 University of NSW International Students at Randwick Council Prince Henry Centre, Little Bay. 

Better Boating Program grants
The Better Boating Program (BBP) is a State Government grants program aimed at providing recreational boating infrastructure for the benefit of the boating community on New South Wales waterways.

RMS uses revenue raised from registration and licence fees to fund the grants program.

Since the inception of infrastructure grant funding in 1998, the State Government has provided nearly $40 million for over 670 boating infrastructure improvements across NSW.

Applications for funding under the BBP - Regional Infrastructure Grants, Sydney Harbour Boating Infrastructure Grants (formerly SSHAP) and Sydney Harbour Boat Ramp Grants are now being accepted and will close on 2 August 2013.

For all details see http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/mpd/infra_grants.html

Fishing for volunteer help
Fisheries Education Officer Stephen Thurstan, says the Department of Primary Industries is calling out for people to join the successful Fishcare Volunteer Program, which has in excess of 300 volunteers State-wide.

“The program is run using funds from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to sustainable recreational fishing and habitat conservation,” Mr Thurstan said.

“Fishcare volunteers play a vital role in promoting responsible fishing practices, and do a terrific job in advising anglers about the rules and values of sustainable recreational fishing in NSW at events, such as fishing competitions, shows and field days, children’s fishing workshops and the ‘Get Hooked…its fun to fish’ schools program, passing on their knowledge and skills, and encouraging values that ensure there will be fish for the future.

The NSW Fishcare Volunteer program has been running for 12 years and volunteers help with a range of activities.

“Volunteers can also assist a number of community groups with fishing activities, such as high schools with fishing for sport, retiree organisations, indigenous communities and several special needs groups,” Mr Thurstan said.

“The yearly training is planned for the 27/28th July 2013 (at a location to be set) and will encompass both fresh and saltwater information sessions.

“We are seeking people, over the age of 18, who have a keen interest in fishing, and like to listen and share information with the angling public. The training includes presentations and break out sessions by NSW DPI staff and guest speakers about the NSW recreational fishing licence fee, NSW fishing rules and regulations, conservation and habitat, catch and release techniques, fisheries research, the volunteer codes of practice, NSW DPI policies and communication skills.”

There is also an accredited TAFE training component in fish biology and identifying fish species.

At the end of the workshop participants will receive a statement of attainment from TAFE NSW.

Volunteers are not expected to enforce regulations and do not have any enforcement powers.

For more information download a nomination form.  

Elderly fisherman rescued from Burrill Lake
On the night of June 15 an elderly fisherman was rescued from the icy waters of Burrill Lake south of Ulladulla, after a four-hour search by volunteers from Marine Rescue Kioloa and Ulladulla.

The man, 73, was transported to hospital after being pulled from the water about 10.30 pm, conscious but barely able to move his limbs. He had slipped from his 10 ft tinnie about 12.30pm and been unable to get back on board or to climb the steep lake embankment, spending 10 hours in the freezing lake before being found after a lengthy search in pitch darkness. He was not wearing a lifejacket but was standing on rocks in the water, trapped at the base of the three-to-four metre cliff, when rescued.

A woman reported the man had failed to return after launching his small boat from her back yard. After several hours of fruitless searching, Marine Rescue volunteers spotted what looked like torchlights on the shore.

Crewman David Lindley said: “When we got closer the people on shore told us they could hear someone calling out but they couldn’t see anything. We went in to Man o’ War bay and could hear the man calling for helping and eventually we spotted him in the water by torchlight. He couldn’t move his limbs and he had to be carried ashore after we beached our boat. The crew had alerted the base and an ambulance was waiting on the shore to take the man to hospital for treatment.”

How smart is your Smart Phone when you take it fishing?
Now most anglers would know that Mobile Phone Service Provider “A” is better that Mobile Phone Service Provider “B” in the country and regional areas of NSW and one of the reasons I stick with my service provider is the coverage I get out to sea or out in the bush is far superior.

Now having convinced my mates that my provider is good, most have switched and in most circumstances they do not have to borrow my phone since switching which saves me a lot of phone calls and money when we go away fishing.

However a funny thing happened a few weeks ago. Whilst we can both get full coverage inside the cottages at Buckenderra on the shore of Lake Eucembene and all the way into the village from Cooma, on the Lake it’s a different story. Faced with a small emergency of some sort (running out of fuel) my mate picked up his brand new wiz bang smart phone to call and see if we could organise some fuel only to find he had no reception, grabbing my phone I found I had full reception and made the call that saved us some embarrassment around the camp fire that night.

We are both on the same plans and use the same service provider, but my phone, even though 6 months old is an older version suited to tradesmen, you know waterproof, dustproof and shock proof etc. So keep this in mind when deciding what phone to buy and what it will be used for as I imagine the newer phones compromise a bit on signal strength and the size of the internal antennas. Don’t get caught out with your new smart phone, compare it to an older model and see what limitations there are that could put you in danger if you rely on this as your sole means of communication out to sea or in the bush.

What to look for in a new phone? “Recommended for rural handheld coverage” is a good start.

This may or may not be me emailing in my article for the newsletter...did you get this? Hello?

Cheers
Stan Konstantaras

New website for Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation
The new ARFF website is now live and can be viewed at www.arff.com.au. It contains information on education, environment and research, as well as media releases.

The Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF) was formed in 2012 as the peak national body and the key voice for Australia’s recreational fishing community. This community consists of all recreational fishers and those who support them, including fishing tackle and outdoor goods suppliers, boat and boating accessory suppliers, and providers of accommodation and fishing services. 

$270,000 rescue vessel strengthens Sydney safety net
Marine Rescue Port Hacking’s new $270,000 offshore rescue vessel has been officially commissioned at the unit’s new home base at the Hungry Point Reserve, Cronulla.

Commissioner Tannos said the 8.5 metre Kevlacat was able to travel up to 15 nautical miles offshore, making it a valuable addition to marine search and rescue resources in Greater Sydney.
 
“Port Hacking 30 will be the third Kevlacat deployed in the region, with its sister ships already on duty on local waters with Marine Rescue Botany Bay and on Sydney Harbour with Marine Rescue Port Jackson,” Commissioner Tannos said.

The vessel will be stationed at the duty wharf at the Hungry Point Reserve, which is now home to both the Port Hacking and Botany Bay units, as well as the Marine Rescue NSW State Headquarters.

Angling representative writes in favour of commercial netting
John "Stinker" Clarke, fishing columnist and a member of ACoRF, has come out in support of commercial netting despite a number of recent cases of semi-professional netters haul-netting large numbers of fish in breeding estuaries, dumping surplus fish and selling fish on websites such as Gumtree.

Clarke wrote in his local paper the Port Stephens Examiner that there is no need to ban or restrict commercial netting. You can read his article at the Port Stephens Examiner.

Clarke's statements come amid growing disquiet amongst anglers on the Queensland, New South Wales and Victorian coasts that netting in estuaries and other inshore areas is out of hand.

ACORF chairman Bruce Schumacher was quote in Fishing World magazine stating he would be "surprised" if Clarke's comments about netting would be endorsed by the rest of the ACORF committee. "In this instance Mr Clarke's views are his own - he doesn't speak for ACORF in these matters and I'd be surprised if anyone on ACORF supported what he had to say."

72-year-old jailed for one week for cheating in fishing comp
Only in America...

Alfred Mead tried to win a Park Rapids, Minnesota, fishing competition with two fish he caught on another lake.
Mead will be spending a week behind bars for cheating during the Park Rapids American Legion Community Fishing Derby last February. 

Mead, 72, was busted trying to sneak two live northern pike he'd caught on another lake onto Fish Hook Lake during the competition. He falsely claimed he caught the two during the derby in hopes of winning the grand prize, which was a $10,000 Ice Castle fish house.

The local newspaper reports that "a trail of suspicion has followed Mead for years." Though he's won a number of fishing competitions in the Park Rapids area, he's been convicted of two separate fishing-related offenses since 2009: fishing over the limit and fishing with illegal hooks.

Read the full story at  this link.

Win prizes with Project Icefish survey
RecFish Research is researching the best methods of killing and storing fish intended for the table. They have a quick online research survey with some great prizes, including an iki gun and board courtesy of Adept Ltd http://www.ikigun.co.nz/, and a great WAECO ice box generously donated by Dometic Group.

The project looks at humane dispatch of fish that also ensures maximising their eating quality. The survey will help researchers understand whether anglers use iki jime (brain spiking) and ice slurries, and on what species.

Success of this project will rely upon fishers from all around Australia filling in a short online survey – click on https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/iceslurry to access the survey and possibly win a prize.

Port Stephens fish lease approved
The NSW Government has given the all clear for the development of an aquaculture research lease in Port Stephens.

“The 20 hectare lease will allow the NSW Government to extend its successful research currently underway at the world-class Port Stephens Fisheries Institute,” Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson said.

“This five-year lease will allow the NSW Government to investigate and develop new technologies for our aquaculture industry for marine finfish species such as Yellowtail, Kingfish and Mulloway (Jewfish).

“Key outcomes from the research would be proving species suitability, developing diets, validating equipment and technology, and conducting environmental monitoring. Sustainable seafood production is an important focus for the NSW Government as 85% of the seafood currently consumed in NSW is imported,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

Tenders are now open for a research partner, and research funding from fisheries research funding agencies is being sought.

The State Significant Infrastructure (SSI) application was approved by the Department of Planning & Infrastructure following the exhibition of an Environmental Impact Statement. The SSI approval requires that some 60 conditions are met. These conditions recognise issues raised by the community and agencies to safeguard the environment and assess the sustainability of the sea cage industry in NSW. As part of the approval, the lease area may accommodate up to eight floating sea cages and the Department of Primary Industries will be required to report annually on lease performance. The project was also referred to the Commonwealth Government for assessment under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

For further information on the lease visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/aquaculture/info/research-lease

Lifejacket requirements eased for paddlers under supervision

Sea-kayak lessons at Sydney Harbour Kayaks - PFDs on for full safety (www.fatpaddler.com)

Transport for NSW has announced changes to marine safety laws will ease requirements for some paddlers to wear lifejackets while under the supervision of experienced and accredited coaches.

Under recent changes to the Marine Safety (General) Regulation 2009, accredited coaches can now exempt paddlers from wearing a lifejacket when more than 100 metres from shore on enclosed waters, subject to two conditions:

• the accredited coach has determined the person not wearing a lifejacket has enough swimming ability, skill and fitness; and
• the person not wearing the lifejacket remains close to, and is directly supervised by, the accredited coach at all times.

An ‘accredited coach’ is a person who has achieved accreditation under the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme, recognised by the Australian Sport Commission as a Flatwater Coach Level 1 or Level 2.

Office of Boating Safety and Maritime Affairs General Manager Howard Glenn said the changes would ease restrictions on paddlers training under appropriate supervision on enclosed waters.

“There is no exemption for paddlers on open waters, such as the ocean, where lifejackets are still required to be worn at all times,” Mr Glenn said.

Queen's Birthday honour for Fisheries head
Dr Richard Sheldrake, Director General of the NSW Department of Primary Industries has been honoured as a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia. The honour cited his "significant service to public administration in New South Wales, and to the community".

Dr Sheldrake was appointed to his present position in May 2011. Primary Industries covers Fisheries NSW as well as agriculture, aquaculture, forests and natural resources.

Fishers reminded about restrictions on Central Coast
Central Coast fishers are being reminded to check the rules on where they can fish, following the State Government’s amnesty on fishing in some areas in Marine Parks, says Glenn Tritton, DPI Director Fisheries Compliance.

“Recently the NSW Government announced an amnesty to certain forms of fishing within Marine Parks in NSW, namely line fishing from ocean beaches and headlands within the designated sanctuary zones,” Mr Tritton said.

“But fishers are being warned that the amnesty only covers specific areas and methods and a range of other restrictions still apply inside and outside of Marine Parks.

“Fishers should take care to make sure they know the rules before the drop in a line.

“This is especially the case in the Brisbane Waters National Park, which is located on the NSW Central Coast.

“The Bouddi Marine Extension is protected by a Section 8 Fishing closure under the Fisheries Management Act 1994 and is not covered by the amnesty.

“The Park extends into the South Pacific Ocean which is known as the Bouddi Marine Extension.

“This Marine Protected Area was established to protect all marine life and all forms of fishing are prohibited.

“Local Fisheries Officers and National Park Rangers have received many enquiries from the public concerning the recent announcement.

“DPI would like to advise the fishing public that all forms of fishing are still prohibited in the Bouddi Marine Extension.”

For more information, please refer to two Gazette Notices prohibiting both recreational and commercial fishing activities on the DPI website:

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/info/closures/rec-sw-loc/central-coast-index/hawkesbury-river

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/152768/Bouddi-Fishing-Closure.pdf

Save Ya Rod
Ever been in a boat and not wanted to hand you best rod to your clumsy kids? We don’t usually give free flogs to gear manufacturers but we can’t resist with this one...take a look at this link. .

New tide tables for safe boating preparation and planning now available
Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has released its annual compilation of tidal predictions for the next 12 months to help boaters plan the safest trip on the State’s waterways.

“The Tide Tables 2013-2014 are published in an A5 booklet which is available free to RMS customers at motor registries, maritime service centres or boat shows,” RMS Acting Director Maritime Michael Wright said.

“Tidal predictions are calculated by the National Tidal Centre of Australia from daily tide recordings made at Fort Denison in Sydney Harbour.

“The NSW Tide Tables are provided free to the boating public as an important aid to safe navigation. The booklet is a handy format to keep onboard.

“Users of these tables should be aware the heights shown in this publication are predictions only and the actual water height may vary due to meteorological conditions including barometric pressure, wind effect, storm surges and seasonal variations,” Mr Wright said.

The new tide tables cover the period of 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014 and are available from motor registries and maritime service centres as well as online at:
http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/docs/Tide_Tables.pdf

North Coast Fisheries officially open
The new North Coast Fisheries has been officially opened in Coffs Harbour by Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson and local member for Coffs Harbour Andrew Fraser.
 
“Coffs Harbour is the nucleus for commercial fishing in NSW so it is a perfect fit for the State’s commercial fisheries management to be based here,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
 
“North Coast Fisheries consists of a newly refurbished office at the Coffs Harbour Jetty and the existing Marine Parks office.  Research and records staff will be based at the National Marine Science Centre at the Southern Cross University Coffs Harbour campus.
   
Functions in Coffs Harbour include:
• commercial fisheries management;
• recreational fisheries management;
• fisheries research;
• fisheries business services, co-ordinating commercial catch records;
• fisheries compliance; and
• marine parks management.
 
“North Coast Fisheries in Coffs Harbour will improve communication with stakeholders and help build a better understanding of the issues we face.
 
“Further to this, fisheries positions co-located at the National Marine Science Centre will strengthen the alliance between the NSW Government and Southern Cross University,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

New Murray crayfish season opened June 1

Australian bass and estuary perch closed for fishing
Fishers are reminded that the annual fishing closure for Australian bass and estuary perch from all rivers and estuaries in NSW commenced on 1 June.

DPI Inland Senior Fisheries Manager, Cameron Westaway, said the zero bag limit protects the fish species while they spawn.

“An annual three month closure for Australian bass and estuary perch was introduced after feedback from the community during the review of recreational fishing rules in 2007,” Mr Westaway said.

“During the winter months these popular native sports fish species become vulnerable to overfishing as they form large groups and migrate to parts of estuaries with the right salinity to trigger spawning.

“This closure protects the fish species during this spawning period to ensure they can remain a popular catch with recreational fishers for many generations to come.”

Mr Westaway said the zero bag limit does not apply to Australian bass and estuary perch caught in freshwater impoundments and dams, as they do not breed in these areas.

“All fish in freshwater impoundments, like Glenbawn Dam and Glennies Creek Dam in the Hunter Valley, Brogo Dam near Bega and Clarrie Hall and Toonumbar Dams in the northeast are stocked fisheries, meaning anglers may continue to fish for these species in those waters all year round,” he said.

DPI Director of Fisheries Compliance, Glenn Tritton, said any Australian bass or estuary perch caught in rivers during the closure must be returned to the water immediately with the least possible harm.

“The zero bag limit does not close any waters to fishing and does not affect anglers fishing for other estuary species, such as bream or flathead,” Mr Tritton said.

A proposal to extend the closed season to ensure spawning protection for bass in all areas of the State can be found at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/info/review

Protection for heritage sites failing says Shooters and Fishers Party
Shooters and Fishers Party MLC Robert Borsak has commended the NSW Auditor General for exposing the fact that heritage sites around the State are at risk of being lost because the National Parks and Wildlife Service has targeted too many sites for protection.

“Mr Achterstraat says NPWS resources for protecting the sites have been spread too thinly, and the Service needs to target sites that cannot afford to be lost,” Mr Borsak said.

He said the Auditor General says the National Parks and Wildlife Service has more than 11,000 items on its books and that only 12 per cent of the 223 parks that need to manage historic heritage sites adopt a comprehensive planned approach.

“The Auditor-General found that 51 per cent of the parks have a reactive approach or undertake little or no management of heritage sites. This appears to confirm our assertion that NPWS over recent years has had a “lock it up and leave it approach”. We don’t believe this is a case of the Service needing more money but rather, as Mr Achterstraat says, they need to make difficult decisions about what sites it spends its money on,” he said.

Mr Borsak said he hoped the Government would take up the Auditor General’s suggestion about increasing engagement with the private sector and modifying heritage buildings to allow new and multiple uses.

“The Shooters and Fishers Party will support any legislation that increases access and diversification in the uses of our national parks. We also believe that adding cafes and accommodation and low impact sponsorship to heritage sites and national parks should be investigated by the Government.

“We need a whole new approach to heritage sites and national parks, and I hope the Government has the vision to adopt the recommendations of the Auditor General.” Mr Borsak said.

Game fish tagging explained
This YouTube video from NSW DPI and the Game Fishing Association of Australia looks at the NSW DPI Game Fish Tagging Program, including useful tagging tips and interesting recaptures.


Recreational crab traps in NSW 
This clip from NSW DPI provides a general overview of the rules relating to the legal use of recreational crab traps in NSW.


KAF on marine parks
Keep Australia Fishing has release a YouTube video about marine parks and how they affect and are affected by recreational fishing.

 

Recent prosecutions by NSW DPI

Illegal eel fishers trapped by fisheries officers
Two commercial fishers have been fined over $14,000 and have had their boat seized after they were found fishing illegally for longfin eels on the mid north coast of NSW.

DPI Director of Fisheries Compliance, Glenn Tritton, said fisheries officers undertook covert surveillance of a number of eel traps set in a stretch of river up stream of Taylors Arms, a tributary of the Nambucca River.

“The fresh and non tidal waters of NSW rivers and creeks are closed to eel trapping due to concerns over the impact this activity has on our fragile freshwater ecosystems,” Mr Tritton said.

“Fisheries officers witnessed two men in February this year retrieving five baited eel traps from the water with the aid of a small aluminium boat.

“On inspection the men had 10 eel traps and 141 live eels in their possession.

“Fisheries officers seized the men’s three metre aluminium boat, the eel traps and the eels, which were returned to the water alive.”

Mr Tritton said the men, aged 23 and 25 years old, faced number of charges in court last week including fishing waters protected from commercial fishing, unlawful use of traps and possess fish illegally taken.

“The 23 year old man from Stuarts Point was fined $7,500 plus $249 court cost, while the 25 year old man also from Stuarts Point was fined $6,500 plus $249 court costs and had his boat and motor seized,” he said.

“Eel trapping in non-tidal and freshwater areas has led to native fauna mortalities including platypus and freshwater turtles.

Anyone with any information about illegal fishing should contact the Fishers Watch phoneline on 1800 043 536 or online at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/compliance.

Waterfront property owners fined for unauthorised works
Two property owners have been fined after they were found to have carried out unauthorised works on waterways on the State’s Mid North Coast.

DPI Director of Fisheries Compliance, Mr Glenn Tritton, said the two day operation targeted unauthorised works on waterways within the Taree catchment area.

“A property owner was issued with penalty notices totalling $2,000 under the Fisheries Management Act 1994, after investigations revealed they had allegedly dredged and modified over 100 metres of a creek and removed tonnes of earth using an excavator above Henshaw Crossing at Wherrol Flat.”

Mr Tritton said the operation also uncovered a second offence on a property at Old Bar where a property owner had allegedly constructed an illegal structure to stop erosion on his property.

“On inspection an allegedly unauthorised 12 metre wall had been constructed to stop erosion on the waterfront property using 20 kilogram cement bags,” he said.

“The property owner was issued a $1,000 penalty notice under the Fisheries Management Act 1994 for alleged unauthorised reclamation.

“Both property owners now also face costly remediation works.”

Mr Tritton said that approval is required for most works on or near a waterway in NSW including the construction of retaining walls, pontoons, wharves, jetties, boat ramps, dumping of rocks and other materials, removing riverbank vegetation, and removing or relocating snags.

“Works on a river foreshore property generally require approval to ensure the work will not lead to loss of key fish habit, or cause sedimentation, erosion and other water pollution issues,” Mr Tritton said.

Anyone observing works in waterways should contact the Fishers Watch hotline on 1800 043 536.

An advisory brochure titled ‘Living and working on a riverbank’ is available on the DPI website www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au.  This brochure outlines how private landholders planning on undertaking works on waterfront properties can comply with the Fisheries Management Act 1994.    

Searching for Australia’s best bait and tackle store
The Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA), the peak body representing Australia’s fishing trade wholesalers and retailers is on the search for Australia’s best bait and tackle store.

With over 5 million Australians going fishing every year and spending around $10 billion to do so, Australia’s fishing stores are an important part of the fabric in Australia’s recreational fishing community.

AFTA’s Chief Executive said “Australia’s fishing stores are legendary.

"All of us have a story about our favourite bait and tackle store and the characters that run them. These stores do more than just sell fishing tackle they are repositories for information on where the fish are biting, what they are biting on, the story about the one that got away and the one that didn’t.

“Many of these stores also provide a vital community service as a focal point for a range of activities, including teaching kids to fish and conducting on-ground works to improve the riverine and marine habitat.

“It’s no wonder many of us spend so much time in these stores. AFTA feels it’s time to honour these stores and recognise the role they play in our recreational fishing and broader community. That’s the idea behind the AFTA fishing retail store awards. It’s the fishing trade’s version of the Logies!

“With over two thousand stores selling bait and tackle we need the help of the general public to find Australia’s Best stores. We are asking everyone to nominate their favourite store at www.afta.net.au and tell us why their nominated store should be the Best Bait and Tackle Store in Australia.”

The winners of Australia’s Best Bait and Tackle Store will be announced at the AFTA Gala Dinner at the AFTA Trade Show on Tuesday 27 August 2013.

Win a free life jacket from the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW
Enter the RFA's Rock Fishing Safety Life Jacket Competition and win one of our 24 free life jackets! .

The Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW is giving away two lifejackets every month for 12 months until August 2013. Enter on the RFA's Safe Fishing website at www.safefishing.com.au

Reminders

Have your say on proposed changes to fishing rules
Anglers are asked to provide feedback on options to change a range of recreational fishing rules in NSW, including bag limits, size limits and fishing methods.

A discussion paper has now been released for public exhibition.

Discussion papers and submission forms are widely available at most bait and tackle shops and fisheries offices throughout NSW. Copies of the paper can also be found at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/info/review .

Submissions to the discussion paper close on 31 July 2013.

Fishing access roads being closed
In August 2012 the NSW government started to clear a backlog of applications to convert Crown roads to freehold. This includes many 'paper roads' that could provide important fishing access to the public.

There is no central reference database of such applications to make it possible for anglers to monitor applications which might affect fishing in their districts. In November 2012 the NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers and the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW met with the Deputy Premier and requested that a simple online database be established. More than 6 months later that simple request has still not been met.

In the meantime, CFA and RFA volunteers have to monitor daily information received from Fisheries NSW about recent applications and post the information on our Facebook pages at www.facebook.com/NSWCFA and www.facebook.com/RFANSW . In the past month we have posted information on 18 such closures.

We believe we shouldn't have to do this and that it is the responsibility of the NSW government to establish a simple, central online reference database of all relevant applications.

Anglers must monitor their local newspapers (the only place the government is obliged to advertise proposed closures) and our Facebook pages so they find out about closures in their area. If you don’t watch this situation and quickly lodge objections when necessary you could lose valuable access to your favourite places.

Beware: NSW Maritime's alpine alerts don't work!
Just a heads-up as we get into the dangerous part of the year on alpine lakes: the alpine alerts that anglers and boaters can sign up for at www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/alerts/alert.html DON'T WORK. So if you have been relying on them for alerts for dangerous weather on the higher NSW lakes, think again. They seems to work fine for coastal waters but if you ticked the boxes to select warnings for the Snowy Mountains lakes, you get nothing.

RFA of NSW has been signed up for alerts for over a year and never received a single email warning, despite gale conditions eg on Eucumbene and Jindabyne on numerous occasions in 2012.

The RFA has made a number of complaints to NSW Maritime over the past couple of months and last week they added a notice to the sign-up page saying the alpine alerts are out of action because of technical issues but the sign-up page still allows you to choose to get the alpine alerts along with coastal alerts.

Safe fishing videos for your club website
Over the past few months, working with NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers and NSW DPI, we have given away thousands of the "Fishing Safely in NSW" DVD. We have been sending them out to individual anglers, fishing clubs and community groups. NSW DPI has also been distributing copies to anglers, at fishing workshops and other events. That brings us up to about 22,000 copies that have been handed out in past year.

The DVD covers rockfishing, freshwater fishing and underwater fishing. Any club should feel free to frame the videos in their own websites, just get the code to embed the various from our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/safefishing .

RFA safe fishing bumper stickers
We have a fresh print run of our weatherproof bumper stickers. There are three designs, each features a QR code linking your smartphone to Bureau of Meteorology weather forecasts and PFD safety information. If you would like some for your car, boat, club members or to put around any fishing spots, send your name and postal address to info@rfansw.com.au


 

RFA videos now on YouTube channel


The RFA of NSW now has a YouTube channel where all our safe fishing videos can be viewed. Go to www.youtube.com/safefishing to see the channel.