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.

Queensland freshwater anglers to reap rewards of fish habitat trial
Fisheries Research and Development corporation is reporting that log cabins and synthetic 'trees' are part of a successful trial of fish-attracting structures in Queensland.

Cressbrook Dam, one of three drinking water reservoirs servicing Toowoomba in Queensland is well-stocked with golden perch and Australian bass. But the dam stretches over 500 hectares and the fish can be hard to find.

Like many impoundments Cressbrook is an underwater desert. Trees and other natural elements are usually cleared from areas to be flooded in order to protect water quality. In impoundments that retain trees, the timber naturally breaks down over 40 to 80 years. Cressbrook Dam was built in the 1980s. In Cressbrook, there's almost no standing timber at all. It was just a bare bottom with a few rocks and some aquatic vegetation around the edges. 

In 2018, with funding from FRDC and others, QLD Department of Agriculture and Fisheries researchers began working on a strategic fish attracting plan with stakeholders and co-investors. These included the Toowoomba Regional Council, the Toowoomba and District Fish Stocking Association, FRDC and Fisheries Queensland.

Researchers teamed up with local fish stocking groups and community volunteers to build three different types of habitats: timber, synthetic and suspended structures.

The timber fish attracting structures (FAS) included brush bundles, branch bundles and porcupine cribs – miniature ‘log cabins’ made out of untreated hardwoods, which, although less natural in appearance, tended to break down slower and have a longer lifespan than their brushy counterparts.

Synthetic FAS were primarily made out of water-safe (inert) PVC and other plastics constructed either in the shape of trees or ‘spiders’ or cubes.

Suspended FAS consisted of a floating buoy anchored to the bottom of the dam with a cable. A large, synthetic tree-like structure was suspended on the cable with the top two metres below the surface. The suspended structure could rise and fall with the dam’s water level fluctuations.

576 structures were deployed across 25 sites within the dam. The team used a range of techniques to track fish populations including underwater drones, electro-fishing, targeted angling and acoustic tracking of 30 golden perch and 30 Australian bass.
 
Despite reduced fishing following 2019 bushfires, the pandemic and recent floods, anglers surveyed during the trial reported improvements to catch rates and an increase in visitation.

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. 

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.

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. 

New attempt at approval for Tasmanian helicopter camping/fishing
Tasmanian Daniel Hackett has been trying for seven years to get approval for a controversial helicopter fly-in wilderness camping development on Halls Island in Lake Malbena in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park in Tasmania. He’s now mounted a fresh attempt at gaining federal approval and submitted documents to federal minister Tanya Plibersek.

Recreational fishers, bushwalkers and environmental groups have long opposed the proposals on the grounds they would degrade the value of the wilderness location and experience and would only benefit well-heeled customers.

Hackett claims the opposition to his plans are just politicisation of his project, but environmental groups are resisting the way his private business would profit by the use of public land.

The proposal has previously been knocked back at various levels—initial plans were rejected by the council, and that was appealed and then counter-appealed, before going all the way to the Supreme Court, before Mr Hackett took another angle, attempting to get federal environmental approval first.

The environment minister Sussan Ley requested more information in 2020, after concerns were raised about the helicopter movements affecting eagles and compromising high-quality wilderness.

Hackett is arguing that her decision was using basic broad-based modelling, which didn't take into account all factors and was based on incorrect assumptions that the venture would operate 365 days a year (rather than 60 days).

New environment minister Tanya Plibersek will assess his latest attempt at federal approval. Mr Hackett then plans to submit a development application should it get that approval.

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.

US hatcheries struggle with drought
While we’ve had more water in NSW than we’ve had for years, the situation in parts of the USA is very different. Drought has impacted breeding programs for many freshwater recreational hatchery-raised fish such as Steelhead and Chinook salmon. To help address this issue the US Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with other state and federal agencies, is coordinating urgent actions, including temporary modifications to existing stocking permits and licences, increased hatchery production and the release of fish to alternative locations or to other hatcheries. 

Click here for full info in an article from Hatchery International online.

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.
 
NSWCFA Interclub Fly and Lure Fishing Meet 2023
The NSW CFA and the Central Coast Fly Rodders club will be running a Fly and Lure Fishing Interclub Meet on behalf of the NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers at Lake Glenbawn, Friday and Sunday 17-19 March 2023. The Meet will be based at the Scone Amateur Fishing Club club room at Diamond Point North on Lake Glenbawn. Further details are at this link.

Next meeting of NSW CFA
The next quarterly general meeting and the AGM of the NSWCFA will be on Saturday 19 November at 10.00 am via Zoom. Notices and agenda etc will be sent to delegates and members prior to the meeting.\

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.

Thank you to our Foundation Members
These Foundation Members have generously made a special financial contribution to the NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers in the interests of all freshwater anglers in NSW.

Australian Trout Foundation, Damian Balfour, The Barrington Club, Don Barton, Bill Blair, Ken Chapman, David Connon, David Copperthwaite, Richard Cottam, Radge Diakiw, Fred Dunford, Dan Frogan, Stefan Fuchs, Peter Gibson, Michael Hall, William Hall, John Harris, Max Harris, Kevin Kai, James Mackie, Rob Marich, Peter Mason, Neil McAully, NSW Rod Fishers' Society, David Pinsent, Wayne Power, Greg Prowse, Ian Roache, Don Salter, Paul Sanders, Joe Searl, David Sheers, Mike Timbrell, David Tinworth, Steve Tizard.

Freshwater anglers are invited to make a special contribution to the NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers (NSWCFA) in the interests of all freshwater anglers in NSW.

You will be well aware of the challenges freshwater anglers face in sustaining the freshwater fishery in NSW, especially regarding the preservation of angler access. The NSWCFA constantly strives to overcome those challenges but we need your financial support to meet the costs of that work.

We are appealing to members who can afford to make a small extra annual contribution to become NSWCFA Foundation Members to help meet our operating costs. Foundation Membership is just $25 per year—less than the cost of a NSW fishing licence.

Foundation Members are recognised on a special page in the NSWCFA website and at the foot of NSWCFA newsletters.

Your contribution will help meet the cost of hiring meeting venues across NSW and out-of-pocket expenses for committee members who attend meetings on your behalf (such as train, taxi, bus and parking). Your contributions will also be used for the production of our monthly email newsletters, which are sent to hundreds of members, for stationery, copying, postage, internet and telephone costs, insurance to cover the personal liability of committee members, affiliation fees to the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW and corporate return filing fees.

Click here for website with payment form and PayPal link.

NSW Angler Access website 

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has launched the Angler Access website, which provides thousands of locations across inland NSW where rivers, streams and lakes can be legally accessed for fishing. DPI worked with the NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers, over the past six months to fine tune the site. The website provides recreational fishers an easy-to-use map showing more than 4,000 verified sites to fish for native species including Murray cod, golden perch and Australian bass, as well as brown trout and rainbow trout. For more information about Angler Access, and to view the map, visit the DPI website at this link. 

Fishing season reminders

Bass
Zero bag limit for bass and estuary perch starts 1 May and ends 31 August. Catch and release is allowed. The zero bag limit does not apply to fish in stocked freshwater impoundments, including Glenbawn Dam and Glennies Creek Dam in the Hunter Valley, Brogo Dam near Bega and Clarrie Hall and Toonumbar Dams in the northeast; anglers may continue to fish for these species in those waters all year round.

Trout
Spawning season starts 1 May in the Snowy Mountains and special rules apply to the Thredbo River and its tributaries and the Eucumbene River and its tributaries (upstream of the Lake Eucumbene dam wall and including Providence Portal). A minimum size limit of 50 cm, daily bag limit of one and possession limit of two trout will apply to these rivers from 1 May to the end of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

Annual closure on fishing in trout streams for NSW will be in place from Tuesday after the Queen's Birthday weekend and re-opens on the October long weekend. Trout dams remain open to fishing throughout the year.

When the season opens again in October, 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.

Murray cod
Season closed in NSW from 1 September to 31 November, except Copeton Dam.

Eastern Freshwater Cod
The annual three month fishing closure of the Mann and Nymboida Rivers and their tributaries comes into effect 1 August to 31 October. All fishing in the specified area is prohibited to enable the endangered Eastern Freshwater Cod to spawn uninterrupted during its breeding season. Eastern Freshwater Cod are totally protected throughout NSW regardless of where or when they may be found.

Murray crayfish
Closed all year other than the following waters between 1 June and 31 August each year inclusive: (a) Murrumbidgee River between the Hume Highway road bridge, Gundagai and Berembed Weir near Ganmain and (b) Murray River from 130 below Hume Weir near Albury to the Newell Highway road bridge at Tocumwal

Fish Habitat Network on Facebook
FHN has a Facebook page that frequently carries news about fish habitat events and projects as well as links to news items from other states and countries.
Go to http://www.facebook.com/fishhabitatnetwork and Like their page to stay in touch.

Who represents anglers?

Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council
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
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/recreational-fishing-fee/licence-fees-at-work/rfftec

Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust Expenditure Committee members and minutes
https://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

Is your club a member of the Council of Freshwater Anglers?
The NSW CFA is the main umbrella group for freshwater fishing organisations in NSW and enjoys a productive relationship with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and other agencies and recreational fishing organisations. We welcome all freshwater fishing clubs as members and as visitors to our meetings. Member organisations are able to send voting delegates to our quarterly meetings. For information about joining the NSW CFA, visit our website www.freshwateranglers.com.au or contact Mr Radge Diakiwv at diakiwv@live.com or (02) 9449 3539.|

Council of Freshwater Anglers Members
ACT Fly Fishers; The Barrington Club; Bass Kempsey; Canberra Anglers Association; Canberra Fisherman's Club; Central Coast Flyrodders; Clarence Fly Anglers; Council of Southern Districts Angling Clubs; Hastings Fly Fishers; Hunter Native Fish; Illawarra Fly Fishers; Lakeside Fly Fishing Club; Monaro Acclimatisation Society; New South Wales Rod Fishers' Society; Orange Trout Acclimatisation Society; Southern Bass Fishing Club; Sydney Fly Rodders.

Handy links
NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers Peak freshwater fishing body in NSW www.freshwateranglers.com.au
Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW Peak recreational fishing organisation in NSW www.rfansw.com.au
NSW Department of Primary Industries www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries
Fisherman's Watch Report all illegal activities Free call 1800 043 536
 
Privacy
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