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Spanish mackerel are an incredibly popular species, but if the latest science is to be believed,
their stocks are in serious strife.
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The scientists, researchers, academics and bureaucrats vested with the task of measuring and managing our shared fisheries resources have — once again — done an extremely poor job of communicating their findings to the rest of us.
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The recent announcement of a revised assessment of the current state of east coast Spanish (narrow-barred) mackerel stocks has understandably created a flap in the fishing world and beyond. According to reports, previous estimates that remaining mackerel stocks represented 30 to 50% of the population’s un-fished biomass have now been significantly downgraded: to an alarming figure of just 17%! (You can read all about this in my latest blog by clicking this link.)
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Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel are a major target for commercial, recreational and charter fishers.
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I don’t claim to know if the new modelling methodology that produced these dire figures is kosher or not. What I do know from my own searches of the existing literature (as described in that blog) is that these mackerel stocks have been in a state of continual decline for the best part of a century, and that fishers (recreational and commercial) have been forced to travel further and further offshore and use increasingly sophisticated gear and methods in order to continue catching reasonable hauls of mackerel. Whether those mackerel stocks have now been reduced to 40, 30, 20 or even 17% of their un-fished biomass may ultimately prove to be academic, especially if nothing is done to halt and reverse the continuing decline.
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Spawning aggregations and predictable seasonal migrations can tend to disguise or mask declining stocks.
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The other thing I know is that — once again — the scientists, researchers, academics and bureaucrats vested with the task of measuring and managing our shared fisheries resources have done an extremely poor job of communicating their findings. Their hard-to-understand and poorly-publicised summaries and assessments frequently contradict our on-water observations. We continue to find and catch fish in our usual haunts, so where’s the problem? Mackerel runs over the last few years have been pretty good, so how can their numbers possibly be so low? This continuing mismatch of departmental proclamations with our own on-water experiences understandably breeds contempt, frustration and distrust.
Management authorities and government departments use words like “science” and “modelling” without explaining (in laymen’s terms) exactly how stock assessments are done, and how they rely on detailed sampling of age structures, catch log book data, market records, surveys, sampling and a host of other inputs to arrive at the figures they present to us. As a result, the word “model” is frequently misunderstood by a sceptical public who tend to believe that these seemingly esoteric “models” either have no basis in reality, or are extremely “rubbery” and prone to bias or manipulation.
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Mackerel can be targeted using a wide range of tackle and techniques — even fly gear!
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The continuing global Covid pandemic and the issue of climate change have both demonstrated just how damaging mixed messaging and poorly explained “science” can be, and how quickly it leads to distrust and — ultimately — the growth of dangerous conspiracy theories. Yet, the boffins don’t seem to learn from their mistakes. They keep treating us like mushrooms, then wonder why we question or even ignore their “science”.
I watch these things closely on social media and elsewhere, and believe I have a reasonably good “feel” for the sentiment of rec’ fishers. I sense a storm of backlash brewing against the need implied in these latest reports on east coast mackerel stocks to further restrict or even shut down that fishery. This storm is simply the latest manifestation of a rising groundswell of opposition to similar calls for reductions in the total take (and particularly the recreational catch) of mulloway, kingfish, snapper and several other important species. The way the snapper “crash” and closure was handled in South Australia certainly didn’t help.
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The current South Australian snapper situation provides a sobering demonstration of the dangers
of mismanagement and mixed messaging.
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The message coming from an increasingly well-organised and vocal minority who oppose efforts to tighten management or limit harvests is that the boffins can’t be trusted. Worryingly, this message is beginning to take root in the wider rec’ fishing community. It seems to contain five key touchstones or “talking points”. They are:
- There’s insufficient “science” to support claims of reduced stocks, and/or the “science” is dodgy or even downright deceptive.
- This is all part of a covert campaign to stop “us” fishing, and/or severely curtail our rights to fish, as well as the public’s right to buy fish.
- Part of the reason the science is dodgy is because of “deep cover” anti-fishing forces embedded within the management authorities who simply want to stop “us” going fishing.
- Another reason the science is dodgy is that it’s difficult or impossible to accurately measure the rec’ catch, and that rec’ impact is therefore constantly over-stated.
- “Concerned” rec’ fishers should actively resist giving ANY catch and/or effort data — or, in fact ANY information at all — to management authorities, because it will only be used against “us” by “them” to stop “us” from fishing.
Now, if you think that points #4 and #5 above are totally contradictory, you’re not wrong! But, sadly, that’s how some of these folks think. Based on that twisted logic, it would be easy to write them off as some sort of fishing-oriented QAnon movement, but that would be a massive mistake. Some of these people are quite influential in the rec’ fishing world and their voices are definitely being heard. The numbers of folks who believe those five points are growing.
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It’s interesting to ponder the un-measured (but significant) impact of fishing-related predation by sharks
on mackerel stocks.
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Researchers and others working at the coal face of fisheries management are missing an important message about “people power” here: if there are seen to be enough votes in not doing something about improving fisheries management, their political masters and those who need to sign off on such decisions will roll over and cave in to uninformed populism. There are clear historic precedents.
In my opinion, our fisheries managers are doing an extremely poor job of “selling” the need for better management to an increasingly jaded public. Attaching a few links to densely-written scientific papers at the end of poorly-written and narrowly-distributed press releases simply won’t cut the mustard. Few people will ever see — let alone follow — those links, and fewer still will understand them.
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It’s time for some clear, accessible and — above all — science-based messaging on fisheries management issues.
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The need for sound, science-based fisheries management (and a transparent explanation of the methodology behind that science) is obvious. Furthermore, this science needs to be presented in a clear, accessible and digestible form the public can relate to and easily understand. Such an approach might well include tools like simple, clear infographics, easy-to-interpret graphs and explanatory videos… perhaps even press advertisements, or mail-outs to licence holders and other stakeholders in order to reach a much wider audience.
Unless those entrusted with the job of measuring and managing our fisheries dramatically lift their game in this regard, they will lose the battle… and the consequences of that could be disastrous for the future of fishing.
Tight Lines.
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----- > SCROLL DOWN! There’s much more below.
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HANG ON...
Can I talk about Secret Womens Business here?
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It’s coming up to Jo’s favourite time of the year... Graduating a Barra’Prentice!
Like the majority of Australians, the Barra’Prentice program isn’t immunised against the impact of Covid-19 and we’ve had to pull on our “resilience pants” and work on our flexibility... but you can't keep good women down! And so, we are pushing on with our training in full optimism.
BP21, Amy Starling (yes, we have Starlo’s daughter on board this year... no pressure!) has been working hard to make up for time lost in a shortened training year. Amy is a tour guide by day, so came to the program with excellent trailer-backing skills. Phew! That has meant we can focus all our energy on actual fishing skills.
Amy’s casting has improved out of sight and her knots are almost committed to memory. Let’s face it, she's got some strong pedigree ;) In fact, some of you are probably surprised that she even qualifies for our program — after all, it's for beginners... and she's a Starling!
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Knot Challenged? Not Amy... not anymore. Pulling down a tidy Allbright.
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Fair to say, she’s “had that” all her life. The truth is that being Starlo’s daughter has probably hindered her fishing progress, more than helped. Firstly, as a teenager, the last thing Amy wanted to do was hang out with Dad! Conformity isn't a teenage strong suit at the best of times and Amy excelled at individuality.
Secondly, Amy’s Dad shows his love by doing things for others. He’s a "helper”. So, when Amy emerged from her rebellious phase and went fishing with Steve, he was so chuffed that he did (and still does) everything for her. Doesn't any Dad who wants to make sure the kids keep coming back for more?
And so it is that Amy Starling is truly learning to fish as an adult. And no, the irony is not lost on her. That’s what The Barra’Prentice is all about, though... helping grown women learn the skills that they missed out on when they were kids — more often than not, just because they were girls... but sometimes it's just because Dad loves them too much.
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The girls have been hitting the water, too. Open ocean for rod technique work has put some food on the tables, whilst casting in amongst timber (practicing snag recovery without driving into the structure) produced this lovely early-spawning bass for Jo — released, of course.
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All things going well with borders staying open, Team Barra’Prentice will be heading to Darwin at the end of August to put Amy through her paces at the SWB Barra Challenge on Corroboree Billabong. This year, our program is fielding a sister team — The Graduate — which is designed to provide further opportunities for our alumni to continue to fish competitively.
When we all sit down around our tables at the SWB’21 Presentation Night, Amy Starling will be handed her Team Graduate tournament strip and join the pool of competitive former 'Prentices that combine to form all-female tournament teams, wherever and whenever it suits. As mentors, Vicki and I look forward to getting our butts kicked by them... after all, isn't that the best mark of coaching success?
I hope you’ll all join me in hoping that Corroboree Billabong is the only “hotspot” we’re watching in September... and it's not because of Covid! May the barratoga and saramundi be ON THE CHEW!
If you’d like to keep up with our tournament updates, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and don't forget to cheer Amy on.
In the meantime, FISH ON!
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IMPORTANT NOTE TO INNER CIRCLE MEMBERS
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Yes, we know… the Inner Circle site has been a nightmare of late! Slow to load, some pages not loading fully, missing images, difficulties logging in, blah, blah, blah. Don’t worry, it has been driving us to distraction as well! We’ve been working on it night and day and will continue to. It appears there are some serious operating conflicts between several of the plug-ins we use and which were recently “upgraded” by their manufacturers… and now they won’t talk to each other. Such is life in the on-line world, it seems!
We thank you for your ongoing patience and want you to know that we WILL get to a resolution and sort things out. Meanwhile, if you can’t log on, please remember our old, original Starlo’s Inner Circle private group on Facebook. If you’re NOT a member of that, or can’t get onto it, please send us an email at admin@fishotopia.com.au and we’ll sort you out.. and once again, our sincere apologies for the inconvenience.
Also, in light of the current glitches we won’t be running any Inner Circle news in this month’s newsletter and will also not be accepting new memberships for at least the next week or so. But don’t worry — if you recently signed up, we will extend your membership period to cover any lost access time. Tight Lines! |
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STARLO’S GONE
DRY FOR JULY!
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Most of you probably know that Starlo doesn’t mind the odd beer (especially a nice, hoppy, Aussie-made crafty brew), or a wee dram of quality single-malt Scotch splashed over the rocks after a big day on the water… But he’s forsaken his favourite libations for the month of July to help raise funds for cancer charities: specifically the McGrath Foundation, which places McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities right across Australia to assist women with breast cancer and their families. (Although, based on the issues we are having with the Inner Circle described above, Starlo reckons he might have picked the wrong month to give up drinking!)
Anyway, Steve would be absolutely rapt if you could kick in a few bucks to help this incredibly worthwhile cause. To do so, simply click this link. Thank you in advance!
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The entire Fishotopian network will be offline for 24 hours for speed upgrades. This outage is scheduled for next Tuesday, 13 July. We apologise for any inconvenience.
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Tips like this can be found throughout the public area of Fishotopia.com
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Tight Lines Magazine
Tight Lines Magazines are unlike any fishing magazine you’ve seen before. They each feature one super-sized exposé on one topic, drilling as deeply into the how-to’s and species knowledge as possible, ensuring you become the best angler you can be.
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“Spooled” is a fantastic on-line fishing publication that’s available to all readers completely FREE! The latest issue is live now at this link and is packed with articles, reviews, info’ on the latest gear, along with some cracking imagery & embedded video.
It also contains a major feature from Starlo about the role of anglers as genuine conservationists and environmentalists: something he feels very passionate about. You can also read past issues on the Spooled website at any time.
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You may have noticed that Mako Oil have been advertising with us here in the newsletter and on Fishotopia.com since day one. We really appreciate their wonderful support… but we appreciate the amazing product they produce even more!
Steve was first introduced to Mako Oil back in his days as a TV presenter for “The Offroad Adventure Show” and he quickly became a “believer”. Mako Oil now plays a vital role in all of our tackle and gear maintenance regimes, as well as many other jobs around home, and we absolutely swear by the stuff. We particularly like the fact that it seems to have no adverse impacts whatsoever on fishing lines, and that its fish-based formula means it doesn’t turn fish off biting, even if sprayed directly onto hooks, sinkers and lures… in fact, it might even attract them!
You can watch Starlo’s video explainer about Mako Oil and its many uses by clicking the play button above, or cut to the chase and view a shorter, how-to clip describing our regular after-trip tackle maintenance routine here.
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Have You Checked In On Your Aussie Anglers Almanac Today?
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THREE FOR THE PRICE OF TWO!
Speaking of special offers and Ray Broughton’s great timber lures, Ray has a ripper deal going at the moment allowing you to effectively buy three of his Shimmey timber minnows for the price of two! That’s right… buy a trio of RTBroughton Shimmey timber minnows (1 x 50mm, 1 x 60mm & 1 x 80mm) in your choice of colours (4 colours* to choose from) and you’ll save a cool $21!
You’ll receive a 50mm Shimmey normally valued at $23, a 60mm Shimmey worth $25 and an 80mm Shimmey with a standard price of $27 (a combined value of $75) for just $54, plus $9 for packaging and postage. So, you pay just $63 all-up for a pack of 3 hand-made timber lures that would regularly cost $84, delivered to your door!
How do you take advantage of this amazing offer? Simply go to Ray Broughton’s RTBroughton Lures page on Facebook, “LIKE” the page, recommend the page to at least ONE of your friends, and then quote the code #starlosentme when ordering your three-pack by messaging Ray on the page… It’s as simple as that! Get over to the RTBroughton Lures page NOW and secure your bonus offer. Stocks are limited, so first in, best dressed!
* Please note, because each lure is hand-painted, small variations will naturally occur and your lures may look slightly different to the ones shown here.
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADVERTISE IN THIS NEWSLETTER?
Our readers are enthusiastic, thinking anglers from all over the country.
If you have a product or service that benefits them, let’s tell them about it! Advertising spaces are limited.
CLICK FOR MEDIA KIT & MORE INFORMATION |
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Until we see you in Fishotopia...
Tight Lines!
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