More problems on the Sydney wharves
A quick stop by the RFA at Pier 8 and 9 at Walsh Bay last week saw heaps of fishos out enjoying themselves, with a few visible successes.
It was also the same time the a cleaner came around gathering up what little rubbish he could find. Of the two bins at the piers end, one was well used and the other nearly full. It's interesting to note that the cleaner works for Manage Meant Pty Ltd, which provides services to the Walsh Bay Precinct Association, and despite him not finding any problems, the Association still complained and asked for police intervention--as you can read below.
On our visit, it appeared it was a successful night squidding, a suggestion to throw some water on the ink splotches whenever you can after bagging your catch.
Overall things looked pretty good, thanks to all those fishers doing what they can to keep these great fishing locations open and accessible for everyone.
That hasn't stopped the people who have bought apartments nearby from calling for a complete and misleading ban on fishing. The latest alarmist newsletter to members of The Walsh Bay Precinct Association says...
"We are again receiving complaints regarding anti-social behaviour by fishermen frequenting the public wharves at Walsh Bay. This includes bright lights pointing into apartments, banging on glass doors of businesses and frightening staff working on the weekend and using the wharves as a public toilet, just to name a few!
"The Precinct office is doing everything within its power to prevent such anti-social behaviour and continue to lobby against the area being the only fishing zone for these fishermen to visit.
"Please contact the Rocks Police 8220 6399 immediately if you witness any strange or anti-social behaviour and report /make a complaint. We won't make an impact if these incidents go unreported to the Police!
"A reminder that our petition is still here in the Precinct office for those who feel strongly enough to join our efforts in banning fishing from the area."
Annual zero bag limit commences May 1 – Australian Bass and Estuary Perch
Fishers are being reminded that the annual zero bag limit closure for Australian Bass and Estuary Perch from all rivers and estuaries in NSW will commence on 1 May.
NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSWDPI) Senior Fisheries Manager Inland, Cameron Westaway, said the closure protects the fish species during their spawning period.
“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,” Mr Westaway said.
“The zero bag limit protects the fish species while they spawn and ensures they can remain a popular catch with recreational fishers for many generations to come.”
Catch and release fishing for Australian Bass or Estuary Perch is permitted in rivers during the closure but any of these species of fish must be returned to the water immediately with the least possible harm.
“The zero bag limit does not apply to Australian Bass and Estuary Perch caught in freshwater dams or in rivers above impoundments, as they do not breed in these areas,” Mr Westaway said.
“No waters are closed to fishing and the zero bag limit does not affect anglers fishing for other estuary species, such as bream or flathead.”
Mr Westaway said 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.
The zero bag limit ends on September 1, and Fisheries Officers will target anglers illegally retaining Australian Bass or Estuary Perch during the four month closure.
Reminder: Fuel Card Grant Program 2019-20
NSW DPI Fisheries is inviting groups to apply for a fuel card grant. A fuel subsidy is offered to assist groups undertaking fish stocking and habitat rehabilitation activities.
Non-government and not-for-profit groups involved in DPI-approved fish stocking and habitat rehabilitation activities in their local area. A maximum of one application per group is permitted. A group includes a fishing stocking club, a fish acclimatisation society branch, or a fish habitat rehabilitation club. This grant is not available to Fishcare volunteers eligible for fuel card subsidies under a separate program.
A decision on the value of the fuel cards allocated to groups will be determined based on information provided within the application. Fuel cards may need to be rotated between groups annually, to ensure an even spread amongst those involved.
Applications will be reviewed by an assessment panel against a number of criteria including:
• distance travelled to fish stocking / fish rehabilitation sites
• numbers of fish stocking/habitat rehabilitation sites
• number of people involved in the fish stocking/habitat rehabilitation project
• evidence of car-pooling and implementation of risk management practices
If you are interested in applying for a fuel card grant, please complete the online application form at this link by Friday 17 May 2019.
For further information about the Fuel Card Grant Program please phone Nathan Reynoldson at the Albury Fisheries Office on (02) 6051 7766 or email fish.stocking@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
This program is funded by the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts.
Fishing club grants now available for Gone Fishing Day
NSW Gone Fishing Day is on again - Sunday 20 October 2019. NSW DPI will be running a host of free community events in six locations across NSW to celebrate our love of fishing and encourage everyone to get out on the water.
Clubs can get grants to run their own Gone Fishing Day event. Recreational fishing clubs, organisations and community groups are invited to apply for grants to help run community fishing events and activities in their own local area on the NSW Gone Fishing Day.
Applications close 15 July 2019. For more info go to this link.
Eucumbene Spawning Run Access Permits
Applications for the Eucumbene River Vehicle Access Permit for anglers with a disability, injury or illness which prevents them from accessing the river by foot are now open for the 2019 season.
As trout spawning season approaches, anglers who require vehicle access to the Eucumbene River can apply for a special Vehicle Access Permit.
To apply for the gate key download an application here.
To ensure that the value of the fishery will be preserved and the fishing opportunities retained, vehicle access to the Eucumbene River at Dension was restricted in 2017 (padlock marked with red tape). While most anglers can access the area by foot, some anglers are unable to walk the extended distance to or from the river.
For more information or to register your interest in obtaining a key and permit contact Angler Access Manager. Please apply for a key and permit at least two weeks prior to your trip. Ph 02 6051 7769 or via email angler.access@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Avoid "breakaway' floats!
NSW DPI is running a campaign to remind anglers not to use "breakaway" floats such as polystyrene foam and balloons as these products contribute to marine litter.
It is recognised that the use of pieces of foam as floats is a particular issue during mackerel season on the north coast. The resulting litter after the foam "breaks away" from the line is not a good look for the recreational fishing sector.
Balloons used for a range of fishing scenarios also cause pollution problems.
Using purpose designed floats is the best way to go if you're using live or dead baits for a range of species including mackerel, tuna, kingfish, marlin and sharks.
DPI has sent advisory brochures and posters to some tackle shops. Keep your eye out for them.
Meantime, tell your friends to do the right thing and avoid using breakaway floats!
More info at this link.
Winter rock fishing reminder
Looking back over the past few years, early winter has usually been the time the RFA has had to send out a lot of rock fishing safety alerts, so here's a reminder to look after yourself and your friends, wear the right gear and never fish alone. Don't forget some parts of the coast now have compulsory life jacket regulations.
Any fishing club that wants to share this video on their website or newsletter can freely do so.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
The Southern Sydney JD reef fires in autumn
Check out this school of kingies (yellowtail kingfish) filmed recently on the Southern Sydney 'JD' reef. The reef is not quite one and a half years old (completed in October 2017) and is made up of 38 huge concrete reef modules like this one being schooled by the kingies. If this is how many fish are around the one module, imagine what's there around the whole reef!? Designed to provide for decades of great kingy jigging action! Other species seen recently include snapper and silver trevally. Find the coordinates of the reef on the DPI Website or download the DPI FishSmart app on your phone.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Know a marine pest when you see one?
Do you know what is or is not a marine or aquatic pest? No, we're not talking about your mate who's always dipping into your bait bucket.
OceanWatch Australia is looking for any assistance from fishers in the know or community groups in an attempt to find out who knows about or is doing something and how in the pest species field.
Biosecurity starts and ends with those who are always out and about, and knowing what you caught or what you see is paramount to knowing and reporting anything weird.
If you think you can offer any assistance then
take a look at this link.
Know the size and bag limits
Not only should you take care when rock fishing, you should stick to the rules as well!
NSW DPI Fisheries Officers patrolling Warden Head, near Ulladulla, on the NSW south coast apprehended a couple of men rock fishing in possession of 24 prohibited size Black Drummer and an assortment of other species.
You can check out the recreational fishing rules online at the DPI Fisheries website or download the free FishSmart NSW app from Google Play or the App Store.
If you suspect illegal fishing activity you can report it by calling Fishers Watch on 1800 043 536, online on the NSW DPI Fisheries website or use the FishSmart NSW app.
Dolphinfish FAD to FAD recapture
A dolphinfish originally tagged and released on the Tweed FAD has recently been recaptured…on another FAD 370 nautical miles south.
During the Shimano Shootout competition on 27 October 2018 Gold Coast GFC boat Redonkulous, skippered by Adam Argus, tagged and released 12 dolphinfish in a short 20 minute bite period.
The dolphinfish that went on to be recaptured initially measured an estimated 75 cm and 3.5 kg. Fast forward 88 days to 23 January 2019 and Port Hacking GFC boat Murriweeni recaptured the fish whilst fishing the Port Hacking FAD. Skipper and Angler Matt Antaw estimated the fish at 105 cm and 6 kg highlighting significant growth. Studies have shown dolphinfish are one of the fastest growing fish in the ocean. They can reach 1 kg after 6 months and 10 kg after 1 year.
Both the FADs program and the Game Fish Tagging Program are examples of your recreational fishing licence at work. To find your nearest FAD, check out the DPI website at
https://bit.ly/2hpCZpl or download the DPI FishSmart app for the most up-to-date status of your local FAD in the maps section. If you would like to get involved in the program, please phone (02) 6691 9602 or email
gamefish.tagging@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Reminders
Pensioners and fishing licences
If you're the holder of a current Pensioner Concession Card issued by Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs you don’t need to pay the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee.
If you've been issued with one of these Concession Cards there is no need to pay any fees or fill in any forms - just take that card with you when you go fishing.
Want to know where your licence money goes?
The latest available summary of new projects recommended for funding from the Recreational Fishing Trusts is online at this link.
Lost access to your local spot?
The RFA wants to know if your local spot has been closed to fishing so drop us a line and let us know what access you have lost recently. Email us.
Crown road closure applications now ONLY online and in local papers
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. Initially NSW DPI was monitoring the flow of applications and notifying angling groups including the RFA of any applications that could lead to loss of fishing access. However the number of applications has now increased dramatically and NSW DPI has stopped notifying angling groups due to lack of resources to cope with the avalanche.
The NSW government launched an online service showing the applications at http://www.crownland.nsw.gov.au/crown_lands/roads
The roads notices are searchable by date, locality and local government area. The information will remain online for the full 28 day submission period for each proposed road closure. The maps contain information to clearly identify which roads are being offered for sale and closure, without revealing the identity of landholders or applicants.
Anglers must monitor the website and their local newspapers (the only place the government is obliged to advertise proposed closures) 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.
Promote your fishing club or community fishing event
If you have a local fishing competition or a charity or community fishing event, we are always happy to give it some publicity in this newsletter.
The newsletter goes out around the 25th day of every month of the year, to over 4,000 subscribers. You don’t have to be a member of the RFA of NSW. About 100-200 words is OK, however roughly written, and we always like a picture.
Sign up for free weather alerts for coastal and inland waters
You can sign up for alerts for NSW coast and inland waters direct from Maritime and can set your own alert trigger conditions and choose which locations you want covered. Alerts are sent daily when wind conditions exceed the trigger points you specify. Easy, useful and free.
Who represents anglers?
We regularly get comments from anglers that they don't know who is on the advisory committees to the NSW government and that they don't know what issues are considered and decided by those committees. The information is on the web, but not always easy to find, so here are the links:
Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/recreational-fishing-fee/licence-fees-at-work/rfnsw
Advisory Council on Recreational Fishing minutes
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/recreational-fishing-fee/licence-fees-at-work/rfnsw
Recreational Fishing Freshwater Trust Expenditure Committee members and minutes
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/recreational-fishing-fee/licence-fees-at-work/rfftec
Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust Expenditure Committee members and minutes
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/recreational-fishing-fee/licence-fees-at-work/rfstec
Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW Facebook page
www.facebook.com/RFANSW
NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NSWCFA
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.
