DPI releases tiger trout in Thompsons Creek Dam

DPI Fisheries has released tiger trout in NSW for the first time. 1,500 of the fish, bred at Gaden Trout Hatchery at Jindabyne, were released into Thompson's Creek Dam on 11 January, with more planned for Lake Wallace, Portland Millpond, Lake Lyell, Thompson's Creek Dam and Lake Pillans later this year.

The stocking is part of a three year trial. Tiger trout are a sterile hybrid between a brown trout and a brook trout. They have a reputation for eating other fish, which makes them especially useful where pest species such as redfin are a problem.

Tube fishway technology will move fish up and over dams and weirs

Dr John Harris's concept of a tube fishway is progressing to a field trial stage. The NSWCFA has strongly supported funding for the development of the technology through the Recreational Fishing Trusts.

A tube fishway harnesses the natural hydraulic power of a waterway to move fish over dam walls, weirs and other river barriers. It works by pumping fish at high velocity – protected by a cushion of water – through a tube running over the obstructing barrier that delivers them safely into the water on the other side.It has the potential to revitalise freshwater fish stocks not just in Australia, but overseas.

View the video at this link.

FRDC Research Advisory Committees 
Are you interested in having a say about what Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) funds? The FRDC is seeking applicants to sit on a number of Research Advisory Committees (RACs) across Australia. The role is to assist the FRDC to identify priority areas for investment (in line with the FRDC R&D Plan 2020-2025) and assist with refining calls for applications (project descriptions) and disseminating project information. FRDC research is aimed at three sectors of the fishing industry: commercial (wild catch and aquaculture), recreational and indigenous.

More information on the RACs can be found at their website.

Applications close 10 February at 23:59 pm (AEDT). To apply see this link.

Ozfish working on tree planting in Sydney region
The Greater Sydney Landcare Network are working to plant 100,000 trees as part of the NSW Premiers Priority of increasing the tree canopy and green cover across Greater Sydney.

OzFish Unlimited are working with Greater Sydney Landcare Network to improve tree canopies along creeks, tributaries and rivers to improve water quality and fish habitat. They now need your help.

Please fill out the very short survey to help best identify areas that could do with a helping hand. And if you can – please send through any photos of your suggested locations to Angus at angus.fanning@ozfish.org.au, or Elisha at Landcare at trees@greatersydneylandcare.org.au

Murray cod and 6,060 golden perch into the Turon River

Lilly and Peter Kirby of Sofala Branch of CAS.

Members of Sofala Branch of Central Acclimatisation Society released approximately 9,090 Murray cod and 6,060 golden perch into the Turon River in mid January.

The Society has used funds raised from its Sofala Carp Blitz to restock the Turon River. Their funds were supplemented by $6,000 of dollar-for-dollar money from the Recreational Freshwater Fishing Trust.

The fish were from DPI's Griffith hatchery. The fish were transported to Sofala by DPI then Sofala CAS members distributed the fish in approved locations.

Canberra Fisherman’s Club helps stock lakes with native fish

Canberra Fisherman’s Club has worked with the National Capital Authority to stock more than 25,000 native Murray cod into Lake Ginninderra as part of the ACT Government’s annual fish stocking program.

Apart from providing sport for recreational anglers, the Murray cod will provide environmental benefits by improving the ecology of Lake Ginninderra and getting on top of pest species like European carp.

Murray cod do not naturally breed in the still water environment, so regular stocking of the species is required.

The fish stocking program has added over 1.5 million native fish in the ACT since 1964, when Lake Burley Griffin was established. 

The ACT Government will also be releasing 3,600 more golden perch into in the coming months.

Barilaro comes on board with science-based plan – time to get on with horse removal
Media Release from Reclaim Kosci

A post-bushfire estimate of horse numbers in Kosciuszko National Park and a change of heart from deputy premier John Barilaro confirms the urgent need to reduce the feral horse population to protect the park from their damaging impacts.

Reclaim Kosci conservation officer Candice Bartlett welcomed a surprising change of heart from deputy premier Barilaro reported today in the Sydney Morning Herald following the release of an updated estimate of 14,000 feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park.

In the article Mr Barilaro now supports drastically reduced horse numbers and the need for science-based management.

"The deputy premier's latest admission echoes the sentiments of the widely-supported draft plan proposed in 2016 by former environment minister Mark Speakman", Ms Bartlett said.

"We've lost valuable time over the last two and a half years and we still don't have a new horse plan in place.

"The Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act has been a huge distraction and is the wrong way to manage a serious environmental pest."

This vindicates Reclaim Kosci's call to repeal this draconian law.

"It was in June 2018 that Mr Barilaro pushed through the horse protection law, dumping the 2016 plan and overriding national park legislation. He said his approach would
see a reduction of horses in the park and protect sensitive areas," Ms Bartlett said.

"Every year we wait sees the scale of the problem grow and the damage to the park increase.

"Now that Mr Barilaro supports a science-based horse management plan, Reclaim Kosci looks forward to working constructively with the NSW government on the rapid implementation of a new plan."

ANU environmental management expert Professor Jamie Pittock said the numbers released today confirm the need to immediately reduce horse numbers in the park.

“Confirmation that over 14,000 feral horses are roaming Kosciuszko National Park reiterates what we have known all along, that there is an unsustainable level of horses in the park that are destroying Kosciuszko’s incredible natural values,” Professor Pittock said.

"With as few as 340 horses removed from Kosciuszko National Park during post-bushfire recovery efforts so far, today’s report confirms the park desperately needs a horse
management plan that substantially reduces the thousands of horses still roaming the park despite periods of severe drought and bushfire.  

“Australia’s greatest rivers – the Murray, Murrumbidgee and Snowy – are being trampled and degraded at their source by hard-hooved horses.

“These results confirm that there are too many feral horses in Kosciuszko, and as the park continues to recover from bushfire their numbers will continue to grow.

“The environmental damage speaks for itself, horse numbers in Kosciuszko National Park must be immediately reduced.”

As former NSW liberal minister Pru Goward recently told Reclaim Kosci, “You can’t have endangered species both flora and fauna struggling in an area where they are constantly being threatened by hard hoofed animals."

“Yes, we all understand the romantic appeal of horses but not in that region; such a fragile and unique ecosystem for the world but for Australians too.”

Reclaim Kosci is petitioning the NSW Parliament to repeal the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act, urgently implement a long-term horse management plan for Kosciuszko National Park and begin restoring areas damaged by feral horses, in particular the Snowy, Murray and Murrumbidgee catchments. The petition closes at the end of today.
  
At a glance
•    The new Kosciuszko survey shows there has been no significant change in horse density in northern Kosciuszko since comparable estimates carried out in 2019.
Northern Kosciuszko is crucial habitat for a number of threatened animal species, has the highest horse population in the park and was the area most impacted by last
summer’s bushfires.
 
•    The survey provides a population estimate of around 14,000 horses in Kosciuszko National Park, and concludes with 95% confidence there are at least 9000 horses
in the park but there could be as many as 22,000. 
 
•    Previous horse estimates across the Australian Alps have shown positive trends in horse population growth in Kosciuszko over more than a decade. Kosciuszko was
estimated to have a population of around 2000, 6000 and 20,000 horses in 2005, 2014 and 2019 respectively.
 
•    The new report is the first population estimate to be conducted specifically in Kosciuszko. The new estimate falls within the error range of the 2019 estimate. 
 
•    Analysis of bushfire severity mapping shows the 2019-20 summer bushfires affected only 30% of Kosciuszko National Park occupied by feral horses and the new
survey confirms that horse numbers in most areas are largely unchanged.

Lake Eucumbene water quality concerns
Local anglers and businesses have raised concerns about water quality problems at the Anglers Reach end of Lake Eucumbene, with reports of yellow, putrid water in the lake.

The Eucumbene River is running clear and Snowy Hydro say that the Portal has been closed for about a month, ruling out the possibility that there is anything coming down from Tantangara Dam.

Local guide Col Sinclair says that there has been an ongoing issue with a large clay bank on the true right bank of the creek just below the portal. In recent years this bank has started to erode and when it does the fine yellow clay is swept down river. It appears this is what happened recently, but with the build up of sediment from previous erosions the result has been worse and the stain has remained in the lake itself.

Snowy Hydro have acknowledged there may be an issue with this bank which may need some sort of remediation work, but the scale of that won't be known until they take a closer look and consider options over the coming month.

Call for nominations to the Aboriginal Fishing Trust Expenditure Committee 
NSW DPI Fisheries is calling for nominations from Aboriginal people to join the Aboriginal Fishing Trust Expenditure Committee (AFTEC).

This committee has the important role of helping to assess applications for funds from the NSW Aboriginal Fishing Trust Fund. The Trust Fund is a component of the NSW Government’s broader program of supporting fishing access for the Aboriginal community. The Trust Fund aims to enhance, maintain and protect Aboriginal cultural fishing as well as provide fishing related economic opportunities for Aboriginal communities.

AFTEC makes the initial assessment of funding applications and the Aboriginal Fishing Advisory Council then considers their comments and presents its views to the Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW for the final decision over expenditure. 
DPI is currently asking Aboriginal people with knowledge and expertise in business and economic development to consider nominating for up to six positions on the AFTEC.

An information package is available at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au. Alternatively, email aboriginal.fishingtrust@dpi.nsw.gov.au or call (02) 4424 7421. 

Expressions of interest close at 5 pm on 24 February 2021.

More about the Aboriginal Fishing Trust Fund can be found at this link. 

NSWCFA Meetings
The next Ordinary General Meeting of the NSW CFA will be held at 9.30 am on Saturday 20 February 2021, by Zoom. Notices will be sent to affiliates.
The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be on Wednesday 24 February 2021 at 6.30 pm, by Zoom.

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.

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, William Hall, Max Harris. Kevin Kai, 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, 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.

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 Fisherman's Club; Central Coast Flyrodders; Clarence Fly Anglers; Council of Southern Districts Angling Clubs; 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
Subscriber details collected for Freshwater Fisher are used only for this newsletter and are not used for any other mailings by the NSW CFA, nor are they revealed to or used by any other organisation.