Secret bag and size limit business?
It seems that Minister Adam Marshall has handpicked members of a research project to look at changes to bag and size limits for kingfish, mulloway and snapper in NSW. Part of this research project included holding eight workshops over 15-31 March 2021.  

Did you attend these workshops or know of anyone who did? Let the RFA know.

The RFA has written to the Federal Government seeking access to the project application (FRDC Project 2019-021).

The project summary states:
“NSW provides an important test case” and “Structured workshops that use easily-understandable, interactive decision support tools and involve independent experts and stakeholder representatives are likely to provide best outcomes”, “A “bottom up” engagement philosophy that allows experts and stakeholders to interactively contribute to harvest strategy development in a transparent workshop setting. However, it requires additional development in recreational and multi-sector contexts”

The FRDC is describing the project on their website as "transparent and defensible process” with involvement of “independent experts and stakeholder representatives ... likely to provide best outcomes”. The RFA is asking how they will achieve this when the workshops have been a closed door and secret affair. Confidence in NSW DPI is at an all-time low and we wonder why when this continues to happen in NSW. This is the way we got lines on a map in our marine parks - secret deals and no transparency.

Stay tuned for the FRDC response.

Maritime blitz reveals lifejacket use remains an issue on NSW waterways
A recent statewide waterway safety blitz, Operation Afloat and Alert, resulted in 57 fines for boaters and jetski riders found to be breaking NSW boating law.

NSW Maritime Executive Director Mark Hutchings said the good news is the majority boaters – more than 80 per cent – showed they understood and follow the rules which exist to keep everyone safe on NSW waterways.

“The top three types of fines issued were for not maintaining or carrying the required number of lifejackets, not wearing lifejackets and operating an unregistered vessel,” Mr Hutchings said.

NSW Maritime Boating Safety Officers carried out the statewide compliance blitz with a focus on reducing the number of serious incidents on our waterways.

Mr Hutchings said since COVID-19 restrictions last year there has been a significant increase in the number of boaters and boating licences. There has been a 60 per cent increase in new boat licences issued in the eight months to March 2021 compared to the same period the previous year.

“There has also been an increase in reported boating incidents - 337 this year compared to 227 during the same time last year,” Mr Hutchings said.

Does the Animal Justice Party have live bait and fishing in its sights?
Recent moves in the NSW Parliament by the Animal Justice Party to introduce cephalopods into the Prevention for Cruelty To Animals Act 1979, suggests that an all-out attack on the recreational and commercial use of live bait is next, including the popular live-squid-for-kingfish combination. You can see the problem emerging in the proposed amendments....

Amendment of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 No 200
Section 4 Definitions
Omit paragraph (b) of the definition of animal in section 4(1). Insert instead—
(b) a crustacean, or
(c) a cephalopod.

The Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW is certain that this debate has not gone away and is just the first step in a softening-up campaign to ban the use of live bait for fishing. 

Other commentators have said this is about the taking of octopus and the tenderising of them on the ocean rocks, but in those instances the octopus is already dead, having been dispatched by the diver, spearfishers or fisher.

So is the banning of use of live bait by recreational and commercial fishers on the agenda of the Animal Justice Party? We are pretty sure it is, but watch this space as we ask the questions and follow the debate in Parliament.

Flathead releases on South Coast

Check out this short video for some behind-the-scenes action during the recent stocking of almost 50,000 juvenile dusky flathead at the Lake Conjola, St Georges Basin and Burrill Lake Recreational Fishing Havens.

...but Tuross Lake misses out!
Despite Tuross Lake on the South Coast being a Recreational Fishing Haven (secured with angler licence money!) and a trophy flathead fishery, it got no fish in the recent stocking. According to a NSW Department of Primary Industries spokesperson under the current guidelines, fish stocking is prohibited within NSW Marine Parks and Tuross Lake is within the Batemans Marine Park so it currently cannot be stocked. 

There seems to be a lack of commonsense in this. If DPI won't allow restocking because Tuross Lake is within a marine park then it means they think restocking does environmental damage. If it does environmental damage then why are they restocking other recreational fishing havens like Burrill and Conjola? 

Tuross Lake is one of the South Coast's most popular recreational fishing destinations...attracting anglers from Canberra and Sydney. The waterway is the location of an annual Flathead and Bream competition with 250 entrants, a site for multiple interclub fishing tournaments and a widely publicised (even by DPI) location for family recreational fishing that brings thousands of anglers to Tuross Lake every year. 

Read more in the Eurobodalla's newspaper The Beagle at this link.

More artificial reefs for NSW – the RFA way

Sydney's Daily Telegraph (17 April) is reporting that the Minister Adam Marshall is calling for more artificial reefs in NSW paid for by the Fishing Licence Trust Fund, but the RFA says –
 
Should we fund them? Well, not all of them, and more money is needed to build an extensive network with connectivity between them. Recreational anglers through their licence fees have funded enough of these structures that benefit the fish and the community. On the other hand, the NSW Government allows the destruction of habitat, sanctioned dumping of pollution via stormwater and sewage outfalls and in fact collects revenue from the polluters. The Tweed Reef will be the 8th purpose-built offshore artificial reef deployed off the NSW coast. Reefs are already deployed include Sydney, Port Macquarie, the Shoalhaven, Port Hacking, Merimbula, Newcastle and Wollongong - all paid for through the fishing licence tax. We think it’s time the NSW Government paid for the damage it is doing as well, to help the fish.
 
The biggest artificial reef is the Southern Sydney reef, and this was an offset or compensation for loss of fishing access in Botany Bay caused by the expansion of Port Botany. A handshake is all it took from the then-Minister Duncan Gay to get $2.5 million to build the biggest artificial reef, all funded by consolidated revenue, so it can happen. The RFA agrees that this is what the current Minister Adam Marshall should be doing - supporting the fish and enhancing habitat through the Trust Fund - but he should also be hitting up his fellow Ministers, especially the Environment Minister, to redirect EPA fines and revenue for sanctioned dumping in our oceans to enhance and support artificial reef projects in NSW and build more reefs close to shore for spearfishers, land-based fishers and for the freshwater anglers. If a group of determined fishers can get $2.5 m from the NSW Government to build the biggest artificial reef in Sydney’s south, then Minister Marshall should be up to the task as well.
 
Are artificial reefs beneficial? The short answer is 'yes', and research undertaken on the NSW Trust-Funded artificial reefs has shown that the some of these structures, like the first reef installed off Sydney’s South Head, are extremely good at providing effective habitat for fish. In fact, the Sydney reef was found to have about 370 kg of fish biomass within five metres of the reef. This is equivalent to offshore oil and gas platforms, which are acknowledged to be among the most productive of marine fish habitats – higher, in fact, than tropical and temperate natural reefs.

Whilst these offshore reefs are good for boaters, the Minister needs to consider land-based anglers in the fresh and the salt, and spearfishers, who all pay a licence fee and deserve equitable access to artificial reefs. We all pay a fishing tax, so why only offshore reefs? We would like to see artificial reefs in casting distance off the shore and jetties, in the barren freshwater lakes and spearfishing reefs in 10-15 metres of water.

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The impact of new tech for anglers

As recreational fishers get access to more and more sophisticated technologies to interact with fish, this paper explores what this means for fisheries and/or technology management—from changes in fish capture, to fish handling, to how anglers share information with each other and with managers. A long but interesting read.

Sydney Festival of Boating 

The Boating Industry Association has announced the Sydney Festival of Boating to be held at Darling Harbour (29 Jul – 1 Aug). This event will be an exciting opportunity for industry to not only showcase boats and boating equipment but to celebrate the boating lifestyle. The festival will feature displays and activities in the International Convention Centre (ICC) at Darling Harbour, a marina in Cockle Bay for larger on-water displays and a new Festival Boulevard of displays between Cockle Bay and Tumbalong Park. Early indications point to strong industry support combined with a growing demand from the public for a return to events. 

A website is currently being developed and is at sydneyfestivalofboating.com.au.

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Threat to iconic game fishery along NSW South Coast

It seems the Minister's Advisory Council has lost its voice when confronted with a complex issue like baitfish harvest in NSW, and the RFA is still waiting for an acknowledgement of an email sent to the Council on the 2nd April. (Remember, these people are funded from our licence and not even bothering to respond is of concern. A bit like the minutes of the meetings, no updates since last year!)

The RFA was representing one of its gamefishing club members down south who raised concerns around the Small Pelagic Fishery (SPF). The RFA asked the Advisory Council some questions about the Baitfish Working Group:

We are also seeking an update to the situation for state and commonwealth commercial access to baitfish in NSW. We would like to also have an update of the Baitfish Working Group to include;

1. Any current Policies or permits in place to be provided to the RFA
2. Details on past or current members and when they last met
3. Copies of the most recent minutes of the last meeting
4. Details on how many permits have been issued in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 and the operators who hold them and a list of available vessel names, operating ports, target species and reported baitfish take, log book returns in each of those years
5. An update on the future management of bait access by state-based and ETBF operators including the form and longevity of access and monitoring, research and compliance requirements.
6. Detail of any Compliance Officers reports or activities around the illegal take of baitfish,

No answer yet!

To be blunt, no baitfish, no fish. The entire debate about the decline in iconic recreational species will be at best substandard unless all the facts are presented around the commercial take of baitfish in NSW and how this has been managed.  

The RFA will keep you posted on any developments from the Advisory Council and the Baitfish Working Group.

Not In My Back Yard – the RFA responds to call to ban fishing in Sydney’s south

The RFA of NSW is fortunate in being the first port of call when loss of access and community representation is needed. Recently we were invited to a meeting to hear the concerns of locals who wanted:
• an end to spear fishing off our local public beaches
• an end to shellfish collecting along our local coastline
• education for collectors and beach goers as to whether or not sea urchin collecting is appropriate
• protection for large and significant species (cuttlefish, gropers, wobbegong sharks, rays).

The RFA suggested a course of action that was a mix of education and research that was agreed to by the concerned locals. The concerns around spearfishing was more of an education intervention and any calls for protection and the banning of any activity had to be evidence based. Hopefully the Fishcare Volunteers have been down to these areas talking to all sectors of the local community and hopefully the research has started to address these concerns of the locals.

For now all communications channels are open and a response from the Minister Advisory Council is hopefully not too far away. Stay tuned.

‘Clean Up Your Fishing Spot’ initiative kicks off

Popular fishing spots at Lake Illawarra, Sydney’s Walsh Bay, Chaffey Dam and Stockton Beach have been given a clean-up by DPI’s Fishcare teams.

Fishcare Volunteers and DPI staffers recently conducted cleans ups and advisory days at all four locations. As well as general rubbish, they collected and disposed of a range of fishing-related litter including old line, bait bags and lure packs. 

Fishing-related litter left behind by a minority of irresponsible anglers can be a really bad look for the recreational fishing sector. DPI's "Fish For Life - Clean Up Your Fishing Spot" events are designed to help reduce litter at key fishing locations, inspire more anglers to “do the right thing” and show the general public that the recreational fishing sector can be part of the solution to the wider marine litter problem.

Local anglers and members of the public saw and appreciated the hard work of the Fishcare Vols and DPI staffers in cleaning up rubbish at these popular shared locations. 

DPI is currently planning more clean-ups at other fishing locations around the State. If you’ve got any ideas on spots which could do with a spruce up, or would like to get involved in helping out, please email fisheries.info@dpi.nsw.gov.au .

DPI will be working closely with the Australian Fishing Trade Association and local tackle shops to spread the word about our clean up events.
  · 
Offenders caught hiding lobsters on South Coast

Four men on the State’s South Coast have felt the pinch of illegal lobster fishing, charged and fined in two separate stings as part of a specialised operation carried out by NSW DPI fisheries officers.

In the first sting three men, aged 36, 23 and 21, were charged after they were caught by NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fisheries Officers trying to conceal their illegal catch in a hidden compartment on their boat.

Speciality fish, particularly shellfish such as lobster, are targeted by illegal fishers due to their high value on the black market.

In this case, these men were spotted diving from a boat in waters to the south of Black Head, Gerroa. When Fisheries Officers conducted a search they found 23 Eastern Rock Lobsters, 17 of which were concealed under the floor of the boat. This illegal catch could be worth up to $5,000 at market prices. Two of the 23 caught were also of a prohibited size, so the boat, motor and trailer as well as the dive gear were seized, while 17 of the lobsters were immediately returned to the water alive.

There is a two bag limit for Eastern Rock Lobsters and size limits are also in place for a reason – to ensure our fishing resources remain sustainable into the future.

The trio recently faced Kiama Court, pleaded guilty, and were fined $2000 each.

In a second sting, not linked to the first, a man was convicted and fined $1350 after Fisheries Officers conducted a covert surveillance operation. The recreational diver was followed to a Hotel in Gerringong, where he sold six Eastern Rock Lobsters in the car park of the hotel.

Members of the public are urged to report suspected illegal fishing activity by calling the NSW DPI Fishers Watch service on 1800 043 536 or report it online .

Update on Recreational Fishing Access in Water Supply Dams Working Group

DPI's Mr Peter Turnell, Director Fisheries and Aquaculture Management, has advised us of progress withe this Working Group which is considering recreational fishing access in Sydney Water impoundments.

The first meeting of the Working Group involving DPI and WaterNSW representatives was held on 12 March 2021. A second meeting is planned for 28 April 2021.
The initial meetings focused on developing Terms of Reference and formulating a work plan to permit recreational fishing access at Woodford Dam in the Blue Mountains (pictured above) and identifying and progressing opportunities to improve/enhance existing fishing access at Fitzroy Falls Reservoir and at Tallowa Dam.

Mr Turnell says he anticipates input from the recreational fishing sector will be essential as the Working Group progresses toward identifying these enhanced access opportunities. He wrote that this may involved the Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council, other relevant recreational fishing groups, as well as other government organisations such as NSW Health.

Sydney ferry wharves consultations

Have your say on the proposed Greenwich Point Wharf Upgrade
The NSW Government is planning to improve Greenwich Point Wharf as part of the Transport Access Program.

It is proposing to upgrade the wharf at Greenwich Point to improve accessibility. A concept design has been developed and they are inviting the community and customers to have their say on the proposed upgrade by Wednesday 5 May 2021.

For more information visit the project webpage and interactive portal to view the concept design and provide feedback.

There is a community drop-in session in Greenwich Point, where members of the project team will be available to answer questions and provide information about the concept design. There will be no formal presentation so drop in at any time.
Where: Mary Carlson Park, Lower Serpentine Road, Greenwich Point (near the Greenwich Point ferry Wharf entrance) 
When: Thursday 22 April 2021, between 2 pm and 5 pm
 
For more info: Contact the project team at wharfupgradeprogram@transport.nsw.gov.au or call 1800 770 973 (toll free) during business hours.

Have your say on the proposed Double Bay Wharf Upgrade

The NSW Government is planning to improve Double Bay Wharf as part of the Transport Access Program.

It is proposing to upgrade the wharf at Double Bay to improve accessibility for customers. A concept design has been developed and the government is inviting the community and customers to have their say on the proposed upgrade by Wednesday 5 May 2021.

For more information visit the project webpage and interactive portal to view the concept design and provide feedback.

There is a community drop-in session in Double Bay, where members of the project team will be available to answer questions and provide information about the concept design. There will be no formal presentation so drop in at any time.
Where: Bay Street (near the Double Bay ferry Wharf entrance) 
When:Tuesday 20 April 2021 between 7 am and 10 am
 
For more info contact the project team at wharfupgradeprogram@transport.nsw.gov.au or call 1800 770 973 (toll free) during business hours.

North Sydney Wharf Upgrade – submissions report released

NSW Roads and Maritime has released its report on community consultation about its proposal to upgrade the North Sydney Wharf. Work to upgrade the wharf is expected to commence in mid-2021 and take about six months to complete. It will include a new wharf, but the old wharf is to be partially retained.

It received a total of 25 submissions: 22 from the general community and one each from North Sydney Council, Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (SHFT) and the Milson Precinct Committee.

The report can be found on the web at this link.

Recreational fishing was one of the issues raised during the consultation process. Four out of the 25 submissions requested that recreational fishing be banned from the new wharf, to prevent user conflicts with passengers embarking and alighting from the ferry and other impacts such as anti-social behaviour, noise, occupying parking spaces and generating litter.

Roads and Maritime's response in the report says: "The existing wharf would be partially retained for recreational purposes including fishing. Fishing would be banned on the new wharf with ‘no fishing’ signage to be installed. Signage would be retained on the existing wharf to inform and remind the fishing community of the requirements of responsible fishing, which includes consideration of nearby residents, other wharf and park users, keeping noise to a minimum and not leaving hooks, bait and fishing lines at the wharf."

Still no action on mulloway

The RFA is concerned that another few months have passed without an update on the Mulloway Recovery Plan in the Advisory Council Minutes or to the Stakeholders. Comments about closing the Mulloway fishery down have not gone unnoticed on social media, but why aren’t the Advisory Council members keeping the Minister and DPI accountable over the lack of information?

From Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council minutes, 12 October 2020:
ACTION: DPI to facilitate a comprehensive presentation by DPI research on the stock status of Mulloway to inform the joint session with CommFish.

The RFA wrote to the Minister about this in 2019 and received this response.

Additionally the RFA wrote to DPI and highlighted the lack of updated information as these changes were supposed to be closely monitored by NSW DPI-Fisheries and the results shared with stakeholders on a regular basis.

The RFA also asked to see an actual copy of the NSW Mulloway Recovery Plan that should have measurable indicators that are used to gauge the success of the plan and a trigger point identifying when the state’s stocks or regional area stocks have ‘recovered’.

The RFA also asked to see a comprehensive research plan to validate these changes and support the goals of the recovery plan to ensure that recreational anglers can be confident that the objectives of the changes are being monitored effectively.

With no minutes from the Advisory Council for the last 6 months and no response in 2020 from the Minister or DPI on the Status of Mulloway in NSW it makes us wonder what is really going on with the Mulloway Recovery Plan in NSW.

Dyneema takes a more environmentally friendly line
DSM, the Dutch company that makes all the ultra-high molecular polyethylene braid for Berkley, Momoi, Daiwa, Spiderwire and Sufix, says it is concerned by the depletion of natural resources, climate change and environmental pollution, and is urging stakeholders to work together to adopt and influence more sustainable practices.

CirculariTeam, a coalition between DSM and the companies that use Dyneema in their products will address recycling and repurposing of end-of-use products made with Dyneema, providing a common platform for sharing knowledge, resources and technical solutions.

The coalition will focus on seven areas: reverse logistics, recycle and reuse solutions, improved production efficiency (including waste reduction), separation of waste into material components, design for circularity, regulation and information sharing. The parties have already begun collaborating and, by the end of 2021, CirculariTeam aims to demonstrate the technical feasibility of making new Dyneema fibre from post-consumer waste.

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