Old Fisheries research centre converting to training school for marine rescue
Marine Rescue NSW is proposing that the heritage-listed waterside site at Hungry Point Reserve, Cronulla, that was once the NSW government's fisheries research centre, will be partly demolished and converted into a training school for marine rescue volunteers.

Marine Rescue NSW is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. It is funded by the NSW Government, volunteers, grants, sponsors and donors.

But local residents are campaigning against the $12 million plans which include a four-storey training school with accommodation, conference and dining areas, and a 'simulation pool'.

Marine Rescue NSW says the facility will be used to train its 3000 volunteers, but opponents say the proposed development would ruin heritage values and compromise Aboriginal sites. The site was home to the first fisheries research facility in the southern hemisphere when the centre opened in 1905. The state government controversially closed the facility in 2013, but promised the site would remain in public hands.

Cronulla resident Bruce Howell, vice chair of the Sutherland Shire Council Aboriginal Advisory Committee, said that site had a “contiguous area of Aboriginal occupation that stretches back several thousand years”, including 14 registered Aboriginal sites, most of which were shell middens. 

Cronulla MP Mark Speakman has intervened to have the public consultation period for the proposal extended to late October, after an estimated 350 people attended a rally protesting against the plans but reiterated his “in principle” support for the training academy.

Trout season opening Saturday 1 October
The new trout season opened on the October long weekend, Saturday 1 October. Trout dams remain open to fishing throughout the year.

With the season open, a minimum size limit of 25 cm, daily bag limit of two and possession limit of four trout again applies to the Thredbo and Eucumbene Rivers and other fly and lure only waters in NSW. Last season about 2.7 million trout and salmon were released across NSW. Releases were conducted with the trout acclimatisation societies as part of the NSW DPI Fish Stocking Program. 

RFA meets with Minister Dugald Saunders
The RFA of NSW recently met with the Minister for Agriculture, the Hon Dugald Saunders MP. The  RFA thanks the Minister and his advisers for their time.

The RFA was pleased with the hearing we received and buoyed by some of the Ministers responses to questions around Marine Parks, the Southern Fish Trawl, fishing access, effective and meaningful engagement and consultation.

The RFA requested a follow up meeting with the Minister  to discuss Marine Parks when the Draft Management Plan for the NSW mainland marine park network is released.

The RFA also took the opportunity discuss the 2023 state election and how we can get some serious funding commitments from the NSW government to significantly enhance recreational fishing in NSW. As always the updated RFA 2023 Election Wish List will be high on our agenda and the RFA will be bringing this to the Minister to consider.

The RFA will be spending a lot of time in the NSW Parliament in the next two months, so if you have any pressing issues don’t hesitate to contact us via email on info@rfansw.com.au  and we will do our best to get some answers. The RFA has an extensive list of issues that stakeholders have provided and looks forward to getting out and about in the wider community and catching up with anglers from all walks of life and fishing experience.

National Carp Control Plan finally handed to federal Agriculture Department
After years of delays and duck-shoving, the National Carp Control Plan (started in 2016) has been delivered to the federal government. 

But, as has been typical of the lack of transparency over the years, it's still not public. Even the Agriculture Minister and the state ministers responsible will not see the plan until it has been reviewed by various other committees.

Year after year this plan has been delayed by excuses of further reviews and research. Even COVID-19 has been blamed for the lack of progress.

The main thrust of the plan has been to assess the feasibility of koi herpes virus to control feral carp.

The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and CSIRO were in charge of developing the plan since 2016, with the aim of releasing the virus by 2018. There have been various extensions to that date, while research has been reviewed and various new issues have arisen during the initial stages.

There have been concerns about effects on native species, clean up costs, effects of dead fish on water quality, and the efficacy of the virus in eradicating enough carp. We don't doubt that those were reasonable concerns that needed looking into.

But according to ABC News, the Agriculture Department has now said "all jurisdictions and the Australian government will need time to consider the NCCP, which includes reviewing the plan and associated documentation and considering next steps".

Apparently this includes the 'Environment and Invasives Committee' and the 'National Biosecurity Committee'. Why they haven't been all over this for the past 6 years is a mystery. Maybe they've all been off work with COVID.

Shadow Agriculture Minister David Littleproud is saying that the current government should get moving, stop the bureaucratic delays and release the plan. He seems to have forgotten that it was under his watch that the plan was delayed for so long. 

Maybe we will have to wait another 6 years.

Hawkesbury algae alert

Monitoring within the Hawkesbury River has found a harmful algae species, Alexandrium pacificum. The algae was found in the waters of the lower reaches of the Hawkesbury River, downstream of the Pacific Highway bridge, with the highest concentrations at Porto Bay. 

The algal bloom has not been detected in the upper areas of the estuary. 

This algae can accumulate within shellfish and can be toxic to humans when eaten. As a precaution, please do not consume any shellfish caught within this area at this time. Commercial shellfish harvest in the area has ceased and current product in the marketplace is not affected. 

Monitoring of the Lower Hawkesbury will continue, and further advice will be provided as results are available.

Premier fast-tracks Warragamba Dam wall raising
The NSW government announced on 5 October that the Warragamba Dam wall raising will be classed as a project of “critical state significance”. This will mean it is fast-tracked through approvals, will be difficult to oppose in the courts and safeguards about management of the dam by other government agencies will be restricted. 

Environmental and Indigenous groups have been campaigning against the project for years. But Premier Dominic Perrottet says the state must “put people before plants”.

Warragamba provides 80 per cent of Sydney’s drinking water but balancing the management of that water supply with protection of downstream urban areas from flooding has always been difficult, and the impact of future floods on planned new housing developments in the area have added to the problem. 

Flagship Habitat Action Grants now open
Flagship Habitat Action Grants are open for expressions of interest until 5 pm on Friday 4 November. 

This program is seeking applications for projects that enhance fish habitat and fish passage opportunities within coastal catchments of NSW.

Projects can be up to three years in duration. This includes time required for environmental investigations, community consultation and the finalising of on-ground works (if proposed). Organisations that have experience with the management of large aquatic rehabilitation projects are encouraged to apply. Collaborative applications with other organisations are highly recommended. 

This program is supported by funds from the Recreational Fishing Trusts.

Visit the Flagship website to find out more.

Expression of Interest - vacancies on RFSTEC and RFFTEC 
Expressions of interest are sought for upcoming vacancies on the Recreational Fishing Trust Expenditure Committees (RFSTEC and RFFTEC).

The primary role of RFSTEC and RFFTEC is to review applications for funding from the Recreational Fishing Trusts and provide advice to the Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council. Members are paid a sitting fee, travel and accommodation expenses and are appointed for terms of up to three years.

Applicants should have knowledge of the recreational fishing sector and a willingness to attend three meetings per year, generally in Sydney. Expressions of interest should include a cover letter (no more than one page) and a resume addressing the essential selection criteria.

For more information head to the DPI website https://bit.ly/3SPldvq or contact the Trust Executive Officer at recreational.fishingtrust@dpi.nsw.gov.au or (02) 6691 9675.

The closing date for applications is 18 November 2022.

North Coast FADs season underway 

All 14 FADs from Tweed Heads to Forster were returned to the water this month.

DPI removes all FADs from Tweed Heads to the Far South Coast each winter for maintenance. The remaining FADs from Port Stephens to Eden will be progressively deployed through October to early November as the East Australian Current builds and makes its way down the coast carrying the key target species dolphinfish.

Using DPI’s FishSmart app https://bit.ly/3LTNfCn is a great way to find coordinates of FADs nearest to you. The app provides a real-time map to locate your nearest FADs (tap on each FAD for its co-ordinates and current status).

The FADs program is funded by Recreational Fishing Licence fees.

More mulloway stocked

For the second year running, the team at DPI’s Port Stephens Fisheries Institute marine hatchery have successfully reared tens of thousands of healthy mulloway fingerlings as part of the DPI Marine Stocking Program.

They completed the stocking of 30,000 juvenile mulloway into the Georges River in Sydney’s south, 10,200 fingerlings into the Hastings River, near Port Macquarie on the NSW North Coast and 19,000 fish into Lake Macquarie, north of Sydney. This latest stocking activity builds on last year's successful release of 80,000 juvenile mulloway into the Georges River/Botany Bay and 10,000 fingerlings into the Hastings River. 

These baby mulloway measured up to 45 mm on release and are expected to grow very quickly, reaching legal size of 70 cm in about 3-4 years. Highly regarded as an iconic sportfish, mulloway is a key target in the Georges River, Lake Macquarie and the Hastings River Recreational Fishing Havens. 
This recent stocking success builds on previous stocking events involving dusky flathead and kingfish.

This mulloway marine stocking project is funded by recreational fishing licence fees.

Visit https://fal.cn/3gxrX for more details.

DPI spent $500,000 on failed prosecutions of indigenous fishers in six months
The ABC is reporting that NSW DPI has spent $500,000 on failed prosecutions of indigenous fishers in the past six months, including paying legal fees to those accused after cases have been dismissed or withdrawn.

Prosecutions have mostly been attempted on indigenous fishers who claim they are practising their traditional culture, including taking abalone. Charges have included illegal fishing practices, resisting arrest and swearing at compliance officers and police officers. 

In a recent case on the South Coast, DPI dropped a number of charges against a Yuin man, Kevin Mason, shortly before it was to be heard in court. The magistrate ordered DPI to pay $20,000 in legal costs to Mr Mason's lawyer.
 
The lawyer, Kathryn Ridge, said "Magistrates can only award costs in the event that there's some improper or unreasonable or exceptional circumstances in either the investigation or the prosecution," Ms Ridge said. "For magistrates to award costs three times now is truly exceptional."

The South Coast people lodged a native title claim in August 2017, unopposed by the state of NSW, which included the right to take fish for any purpose.

But Kathryn Ridge says data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research  shows the state government has ramped up its prosecutions of Indigenous fishers on the NSW South Coast since the claim was successfully registered.

The ABC says it received a statement from Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders confirming that 13 matters against indigenous fishers had been withdrawn or dismissed in the past year.

The NSW government passed legislation in 2009 to protect and decriminalise Indigenous cultural fishing, but the law is yet to commence. An Upper House inquiry is investigating why legislation to protect and decriminalise cultural fishing has not been enacted since it passed in 2009. It is due to hand down its final report in November. The Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW made submissions and gave evidence before that inquiry.

Boat ramp fails

In what is becoming a trend for major NSW boat ramps, the FAIL scorecards they are getting are leaving communities gutted, tourism dollars out the door and many boat owners and fishers wondering why bother going out at all if you have to consider tides, siltation, lack of maintenance, serious injury, loss of your car and damage to your boat just to launch and retrieve.

It is evident that the current system is failing all the users and it seems the NSW Government is not too worried about fixing the problems.

A recent trip to Crowdy Head saw the RFA see first hand the issues of launching and retrieving a boat in this location at low tide...see the picture above.

Crowdy joins the growing list of boat ramp fails in NSW, such a sad outcome for such a beautiful and fishy place.

Keep sending your boat ramp fails to the RFA at info@rfansw.com.au and we will keep pushing those responsible to fix the growing list of fails.

Bad River

The Cooks River: Australia's sickest urban river is located in the glamorous city of Sydney. This makes sense, given it’s also Australia's largest, hard-surfaced, drainified, leaky-sewered, city.  In his kayak Beau Miles decided to trace all 23 km of the Cooks River. This is a journey of ill-health, sadness and hope; putting a test to the local saying, ‘if you fall in, you’ll dissolve’.

Click to view the video.

Fishers for Fish Habitat Forum 25-26 November

On the 25 and 26 of November, leading figures from fisheries research and the recreational fishing community will gather in Newcastle to share knowledge and ideas about the latest developments in fish habitat.

Anglers are invited to attend along with other like-minded individuals to collaborate under the banner of ‘Take Action’. The two days will feature a range of expert speakers and site visits to nearby locations that showcase what is being done to secure the future of fishing. 

The forum is funded through the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts and is presented by the Fish Habitat Network. The conference program and speaker lineup will be announced soon. More info at this link.

Vale Clyde Thomas

With the passing of Clyde Thomas, the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party recently lost a great friend to rec fishers and a great friend of RFA members who live in on the south coast of NSW.

The RFA was represented by RFA Vice President Max Castle at today's funeral.

Vale Clyde Thomas, and deepest sympathies to all of the Thomas family from the RFA of NSW.

Court delivers strong deterrent to repeat offender for fishing in Marine Park Sanctuary Zones

A 45-year old man from South Durras NSW has been convicted and sentenced for Marine Park offences taking place on the 21st of December 2021. The man was observed fishing from a boat in the Murramarang Sanctuary Zone and Murramarang Special Purpose Zones in the Batemans Marine Park and was seen to take fish from both zones. The man was apprehended and the fish (above), fishing gear and plotters used were seized. The man was prosecuted and issued with fines and ordered to pay professional costs totalling $7,820.00. The seized gear was also forfeited.

Sanctuary zones are areas in Marine Parks that provide the highest level of protection for biological diversity, and habitat. Fishing and the possession of rigged fishing gear is strictly prohibited in Sanctuary Zones.

Fishers are reminded to download the NSW FishSmart app to be aware of and stay up to date of all the Fisheries and Marine Parks rules in NSW.

To report illegal fishing, call the Fishers Watch phone line 1800 043 536 or report online at https://fal.cn/3fMUz.

“We got weights in fish!”

An angry mob of anglers assailed cheaters in a fishing tournament at Ohio in the USA a couple of weeks ago.

Officials became suspicious of the weight of the fish entered, and found lead weights in walleye at the weigh-in. The mob wasn't happy. Police officers were called to the scene and reports say they “likely saved” the pair from the angry mob.

It seems that Jacob Runyan of Cleveland and Chase Cominsky of Hermitage, Pa.— winners of past walleye tournaments — have been suspected of cheating before.

Video of the scene was captured by anglers and was subsequently posted on YouTube. Go to about the 15 min mark to see the fun start.

Runyan and Cominsky had already collected first-place prizes and sizeable amounts of money in several recent events, including last year’s season-sending championship. A lot of money is at stake - the pair took “top money” in this past spring’s Rossford Walleye Roundup, and received a huge payout in the 2021 Walleye Slam. They also were in line to win more than $100,000 in the finish of last year’s Lake Erie Fall Brawl in which the duo weighed in the apparent top catch, but they were disqualified after one of them failed a polygraph test, apparently typically administered at big-money events in the USA.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T