RFA safe fishing bumper stickers
The RFA has produced 5000 bumper stickers promoting fishing safety. The stickers feature safe fishing messages including the need to check local weather and to wear a PFD. One of the designs is shown above. Others promote general fishing safety and correct use of PFDs.
A QR tag is incorporated in the design, enabling users of smart phones to scan the tag and immediately get connected to the Bureau of Meteorology district weather forecasts or the NSW Maritime PFD guidelines website at www.lifejacketwearit.com.au.
Don’t know what we’re talking about? Get a free tag reader for your mobile phone, point your phone’s camera at the tag and the phone will automatically connect to a page on the internet.
Several thousand stickers were distributed at the recent Sydney International Boat Show. We have plenty left so if you want some for your fishing club or just for yourself, send us your address at info@rfansw.com.au and we’ll post a few to you.
More safe fishing DVDs distributed
The latest edition of the fishing safety DVD, Don’t Put Your Life on the Line, featuring videos on rockfishing, freshwater fishing and underwater fishing safety has been delivered. They were a popular item on the RFA of NSW stand at the Sydney Boat Show with several thousand distributed.
The Professional Fishing Instructors and Guides Association is distributing the DVD to their clients, and NSW DPI is also distributing the DVD through compliance and education officers.
Almost 17,000 DVDs were produced, funded by the Recreational Fishing Trusts. Distribution of this latest batch is targeted at fishing groups, clubs, fishing clinics, etc but individual copies are also available again (after a recent shortage!). Send us your address at info@freshwateranglers.com.au if you want one and we’ll post it out at no charge.
National Recreational Fishing Conference
ANSA's John Burgess reports on the Conference:
The conference, jointly hosted by Recfish Australia and The Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA), was held over the weekend of 17 -19 at the Gold Coast Convention Centre. Some 160 delegates representing the recreational fishing sector attended - these included several Commonwealth and State fishery management agencies, all major state and national peak recreational fishing bodies and a wide variety of other organisations and individuals with a connection to recreational fishing. The Conference was officially opened by Senator the Hon Joe Ludwig, Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry.
The Conference is one of the most significant events on the Australian recreational fishing calendar and provides an excellent forum for wide ranging discussions that will chart the future of recreational fishing. The key note theme for this year’s conference was “Casting Towards tomorrow – Keeping Australia Fishing”
ANSA was well represented at the conference with several of the National executive in attendance together with Branch representatives from NSW, ACT and Qld. There were 4 key note speakers including Martin Salter – the UK based author of the Keep Australia Fishing report and 36 individual speaker presentations on a wide and diverse range of topics relevant to recreational fishing.
ANSA also did very well in the annual Recreational Fishing awards with Stan Konstantaras picking up the 2012 Volunteer of the Year award and Jason Stanfield (ANSA Qld) picking up the Most Successful Future Leader Graduate award. Well deserved congratulations are extended to Stan and Jason for their awards.
Other award winners included -
Steve Starling: Excellence in Recreational Fishing Communication.
John Kirk: Excellence In Support of Research Outcomes - Victorian Angler Diary programme.
Ryan Paik: Project of the Year – Moreton Bay Artificial Reef.
Recfishwest: Best Project or Initiative Encouraging women and/or Young Peoples Participation In Fishing – Recfishwest Fishing Clinic programme.
Bob Loats from Victoria was also awarded the prestigious Mal Ramsay Achievement Award for his lifetime of devoted volunteer service to recreational fishing.
The expected outcome of the Conference is to take on three defined themes that will set the ground work for the ongoing development of the future of recreational fishing and the role that the next generation will play in ensuring a healthy and sustainable fishery. A number of suitable theme topics were suggested by the delegates and these will be refined into a working document to be released shortly.
To take advantage of delegates attending the Recreational Fishing Conference an important workshop was convened on the Friday to set the direction for a new FRDC funded project titled “National Recreational Fishing Education programme”.
Education was identified as a priority by the Federal Ministers Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee as part of the national strategy to develop a project to improve education of fishers nationally. It was recognised that there was considerable scope for recreational fishing to enhance the lives of more Australians but we face many challenges such as finite fish resources, family and work pressures, access issues and a declining interest in recreational fishing by the younger generation.
A number of state fisheries agencies and peak bodies already provide a variety of education programmes to potential and existing recreational fishers but there is no uniform national curriculum and delivery of the education message is limited by lack of funds and manpower resources.
The aim the workshop was to explore all possible options on how to inform the non-fishing public about recreational fishing and to establish a pathway for the recruitment of the next generation of recreational fishers and to promote the health and social values of recreational fishing.
There were some fantastic exchanges of views and details of education initiatives currently in train across the nation and stories of success and challenge. It was unanimously agreed that there were numerous un-tapped opportunities to reach out to the next generation of fishers and get the health and social value message of fishing across to this audience. One such opportunity that featured predominantly was the use of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Forums, etc.
There is still much to be done to bring this project to a conclusion but the workshop did provide an excellent opportunity for all those who have a passionate interest in recreational fishing and the educators to have a frank and constructive exchange of views of how best to reach out and win over the next generation of fishers and to reinforce the positive values of fishing to those who have already taken the bait.
A special mention of thanks is extended to Bill and Shirley Sawynok, Matt Barwick, Russell Conway, Allan Hansard and the extended team of people who pulled this conference together and made it such a success. Thanks is also extended to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) for jointly funding the conference as part of the Recreational Fishing Industry Development Strategy.
A post-conference update newsletter has been sent out...you can read it at this link. It includes a post-conference evaluation and information on future strategic actions.
Conference speakers presentations are now online now at this link.
Bass Sydney’s work recognised with major award
Bass Sydney has been recognised for all of its hard work over the past few years by winning the Habitat Heroes award for 2012, announced at the August National Recreational Fishing Conference held on the Gold Coast.
Bass Sydney were up against some tough competition with some fantastic programs occurring over the past three years. However Bass Sydney's Russell St regeneration work was the only program that undertook all of the work without any Government help except a little grant money.
Their initial efforts focussed on improving fish passage and they were instrumental in doing so at Liverpool and Lane Cove weirs. They also recognised that there was work to be done replanting the riparian areas that provide so much of the bass summer diet. It’s the consistent commitment to this work when the benefits for their beloved bass are not immediate that truly makes the members of Bass Sydney ‘Habitat Heroes’.
The reward is a well-deserved accolade for a lot of back breaking work!
Visit their website at www.basssydney.com and their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BassSydneyFishing
Lifejacket supply and promotion initiative
NSW Minister for Ports Duncan Gay launched at the Sydney International Boat Show in August a process to partner with industry to develop a breakthrough initiative in the supply and promotion of lifejackets.
“I’m pleased to today announce the call for Registrations of Interest (ROI) to gauge the level of industry interest in partnering with government to deliver a scheme to support the supply and wearing of lifejackets,” said Mr Gay.
“A new communication and education strategy is currently being developed to promote lifejacket wear and a new on-water compliance program will be delivered for the coming boating season that will encourage lifejacket wear.
“Industry has also made advances in design and technology which means the public now has access to less bulky, more comfortable and far more convenient lifejackets than ever before.
“To support these actions, the State Government is willing to invest and partner with industry to deliver a lifejacket supply and promotion solution. It’s time to explore a breakthrough in lifejacket supply and use.”
Mr Gay said that stakeholders had already suggested some ideas such as a ‘swap and go’ system for replacing inflatable lifejackets based on the way people can conveniently swap BBQ gas bottles at service stations and other outlets.
“That’s just one idea, we want the ROI to engage industry and bring in more ideas.
“Once the preferred scheme has been identified, an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process will be held before the end of the year, with a view to starting a select tender process early in 2013.”
The Registrations of Interest is open to deliver a major lifejacket supply and promotion program statewide and is available at this link.
Daughterless carp project to go ahead
The daughterless carp project which is developing a potential long-term control option into the battle against introduced carp has been saved by a recent injection of funds from the Lower Murray Darling Catchment Management Authority (LMD CMA).
For the last ten years, researchers have been developing genetic options for the control and possible eradication of carp in Australia.
"Daughterless technology" aims to alter carp such that they produce mainly male offspring, over the long term, driving the pest to extinction as females become increasingly rare in the population.
Laboratory studies on zebra-fish (a small, short-lived relative of carp) show that daughterless technology is achievable, but a key question is whether the approach will work in carp.
With the support of the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), in 2009 a collaborative project with the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre (IACRC), CSIRO and Auburn University (USA) was initiated to answer this question. However, funding was withdrawn earlier this year as part of research rationalisation. The LMD CMA has since stepped in and provided just under $60,000 in funding to the IACRC to continue this critical research into daughterless carp.
The first sets of carp produced as part of the research are just now maturing, and preliminary data from them strongly suggest that the daughterless constructs are working as planned. However, until the constructs are incorporated into the fish's genes and passed onto their offspring (which should be predominantly males) the success of the project will not be known. It will take several additional years to complete this analysis as carp take at least two years to reach sexual maturity.
LMD CMA Chair Cheryl Rix said “Our Catchment Action Plan has targets relating to the health of the native fish population and carp have been identified as one of the most significant barriers toward achieving these targets. This has been particularly evident over the past 2-3 years with major increases in carp abundance observed during the LMD CMA annual fish monitoring program.”
The potential of daughterless carp technology was recognised by the LMD CMA who in June this year agreed to provide funding to the IACRC to continue daughterless carp research for a further 12 months.
“This LMD CMA funding will ensure that newly maturing carp will be able to breed and the next stage of the research on the second generation of carp can continue. Without the LMD CMA’s intervention the research would have ceased and more than 5000 juvenile and newly maturing carp produced so far would have been destroyed,” Ms Rix said.
More information can be obtained from Troy Muster (Catchment Officer Projects) on 03 5021 9460 or the Invasive Animals CRC at (02) 6201 2890 or contact@invasiveanimals.com
NSW Freshwater Angler of the Year awarded to Malcolm Poole
At the NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers annual general meeting Malcolm Poole was honoured with the award of NSW Freshwater Angler of the Year. The award recognises his contribution to "the advancement of freshwater fisheries in New South Wales, particularly for his work with the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW and his advocacy at State and Federal levels for all aspects of recreational fishing".
Congratulations Malcolm, and thank you from all freshwater anglers.
RFA Secretary Stan Konstantaras wins national award
ANSA NSW President and RFANSW Secretary, Stan Konstantaras, received the Recfish Australia Award for Volunteer of the Year, at the National Recreational Fishing Conference 2012 being held on the Gold Coast.
It’s a well-deserved accolade acknowledging all the work by ANSA NSW and his volunteer efforts with Angel Rings and Rock Fishing Safety in NSW.
Visit the national angel rings website at www.angelrings.com.au.
Safe fishing alert mails redesigned for mobile users
The RFA of NSW sends out thousands of rockfishing safety alerts each year. In 2011 we sent alerts on more than 20 occasions that conditions on the coast looked dangerous for rock fishers and boaters.
An increasing number of people view these sorts of quick alerts on their smartphones, so we have redesigned the emails with narrower graphics and clearer type to make the alerts more legible on the smaller smartphone screens.
Anglers can subscribe to the free alerts at http://eepurl.com/omEwH.
NSW CFA now on Facebook
The NSW CFA has started a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NSWCFA. The facebook page will be used for urgent news, updates, alerts and other information.
Funding for rehabilitating fish habitat
More than half a million dollars worth of grants are available for individuals or groups committed to rehabilitating fish habitat across NSW, according to NSW DPI Fisheries Conservation Manager, David Cordina.
“Applications are now open for grants of up to $40,000 as part of the NSW Government’s Habitat Action Grant program,” Mr Cordina said.
“These grants are open to fishing clubs, Landcare, Rivercare and other community groups, individuals and local councils wanting to improve fish habitat in their local area. If your local creek, river or estuary isn’t as productive as it used to be, the cause could be poor fish habitat. These important grants are dedicated to looking after fish habitat and rehabilitating habitat that has been degraded. Good habitat is vital for our native fish as it allows them to find food, take shelter, hide from predators, grow and, most importantly, to breed.”
Mr Cordina said funds from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust are used for the Habitat Action Grant Program, which is administered by the DPI.
“Previous projects include removing barriers to fish movement, re-snagging waterways, bank stabilisation works, removing invasive weeds to re-establish native vegetation on our riverbanks, opening floodgates and fencing riverbanks to control the access of livestock,” he said.
“These community projects have provided fantastic results for our native fish and are great examples of how recreational fishing fees are helping to support recreational fishing and boosting fish numbers, naturally.”
Applications for Habitat Action Grants close on Friday 28 September 2012 at 5pm.
For more information about the program, examples of past Habitat Action Grant projects and application forms visit http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/hag or contact a DPI Conservation Manager on (02) 6881 1277 or (02) 4916 3817.
NSW Angler Access Report Update
Reserves currently in the NSW Angler Access Reserves Reserve Trust are:
Lake Macquarie Artificial Reef (saltwater 35.62 ha gazetted 18/11/2011)
Narara Creek, Gosford (Saltwater, 6270 square metres, gazetted 16/3/2012)
Jocks Water, Ebor, (freshwater, 8448 square metres, gazetted 1/6/2012)
Guy Fawkes River, Ebor (freshwater, 1.523 ha, gazetted 7/4/2012)
Mushroom Flat, Rylstone/Kandos area, freshwater, 60.70 ha, gazetted 18/5/2012)
Lake Conjola Artificial Reef (5.99 ha, gazetted 13/7/2012)
St Georges Basin Artificial Reef (56.24 ha, gazetted 13/7/2012)
Merimbula Lake Artificial Reef (7.49 ha, gazetted 13/7/2012)
We now have 8 reserves under the NSW Angler Access Reserves Reserve Trust, 5 saltwater sites and three freshwater.
In addition submissions have now been lodged with Crown Lands for sites on the Williams River in the Hunter Valley, three sites on the Snowy River below the dam wall and Back Lake at Merimbula. Very constructive discussions with the Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council have been undertaken with a view to progressing two above sites that are within their area.
Sites at Brindabella (pictured) are on hold until the status of the land is resolved between Tumut Council and Crown Lands. Until this is resolved actions cannot be undertaken to include these sites into the Project. Tumut Council has now received a response from DPI Catchment & Lands I have discussed it with the Council and a meeting is to be arranged soon between the relevant parties.
Al McBurnie from Fisheries has done a massive amount of work with his project for Angler Access on the Duckmaloi and Fish Rivers and has just passed on five sites for me to include into the project. Al has also provided this link to access points for anglers looking to fish in the Oberon area.
Of major importance at the moment is the NSW Parliamentary Standing Committee 5 review into public land. A lengthy submission has been prepared by the Project and submitted to the enquiry, note the submission was confidential so “Angler Access” does not appear but our submission does, so check the confidential ones as well. Information and access to the submissions can be found at this link. .
This enquiry has huge implications for recreational anglers and our future access to waterways, there is room for huge improvement by government and this is your chance as a recreational angler to have your say.
The Angler Access initiatives are made possible by the cooperation and with the support of DPI Fisheries & Catchment and Lands, the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW, ACoRF and the Recreational Fishing Trusts.
Project contacts; Chris Robertson, Mob. 0428 187 874 or info@nswangleraccess.com.au .
Max to the top in 10 days for Variety
ANSA NSW Masters Keeper and Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW Vice President Max Castle is on an epic journey from Balmain to Bamaga to help Variety raise funds for sick children. So rather than leave Max to have a good time we used the opportunity to help both ANSA NSW and the RFA of NSW push the safe fishing messages. Max Castles Smurf Car 240 V hit the road with fishing safety resource material to give out along the way and an Angel Ring fitted with an asset tracker so we could check if he actually went!
10 days of travel has seen Max only hours away from his destination on an epic journey which kicked off on the 19th August 2012. The Angel Ring checked in every day from its position on the rooftop of the Smurf Car 240 V and below is his journey as told by the Angel Ring over 10 days.
You're invited to join the Hawkesbury-Nepean Bass Catch
Bass Sydney will be hosting the Hawkesbury-Nepean Bass Catch on October 20 & 21, 2012. This is the 25th season of Bass Catch. NSW Fisheries has commissioned some special shirts to mark the occasion. You’ve got to be in it to win one!
This event is open to all anglers. You just need to register via the Bass Sydney website: http://www.basssydney.com/basscatch/index.php
Come and bass fish the Nepean River for a day, 2 days or just a couple of hours, its up to you. Registered anglers may choose to camp with the club, starting Friday night. Those at the campsite need not worry about organizing food after a day’s fishing as Bass Sydney will put on BBQ dinner Friday and Saturday night and Sunday breakfast for a very reasonable cost. Lots of raffle prizes! Staying at the camp is not mandatory. Details of the campsite will be given to registered anglers. So grab a kayak, canoe or boat and participate in gathering catch data and other information for NSW Fisheries.
Inquiries:
HS Tham
President Bass Sydney
Mobile: 0402058903
E-mail: hstham@mail2world.com
Shayne Alexander
Bass Sydney BassCatch Officer
basscatch@basssydney.com
RFA NSW at the Sydney International Boat show
Recreational fishers were once again represented at the Sydney International Boat Show, with our safe fishing trailer, DVD give-aways, angel rings, various types of PFDs and safe footwear on display, as well as banners, brochures, bumper stickers, posters, videos and other materials on fishing safety and fishing in general. Our stand was manned by volunteers for the duration of the show enabling us to chat to the thousands of visitors who passed by the display.
Central Coast commercial fisher to face court
A Central Coast licensed commercial fisher will be called on to appear in Hornsby Local Court after allegedly committing a number of offences, including the serious offence of taking protected fish.
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Director of Fisheries Compliance, Glenn Tritton, said fisheries officers apprehended the man in his licensed fishing boat on Mooney Mooney Creek.
"DPI fisheries officers allegedly found that the commercial fisher had taken 25 estuary perch and one Australian bass in his commercial set nets and that the fish were on board still meshed in the nets," Mr Tritton said.
"A total of 15 prohibited size fish of other species were also allegedly meshed in the nets, which were retrieved from the water more than a kilometre upstream from where he was stopped. The fisher is alleged to have failed to take immediate steps to return the prohibited sized fish to the water with the least possible injury. He was also alleged to have been using incorrectly marked mesh nets and although currently licensed and endorsed, he could not produce a current fishing authority. The maximum penalty for the range of offences detected exceeds $150,000 and up to six months imprisonment."
Mr Tritton said fisheries officers are currently targeting the illegal taking of Australian bass and estuary perch due to their current abundance during spawning migration.
"Australian bass and estuary perch generally inhabit the upper reaches of estuaries but during the winter months both species migrate into downstream waters to spawn, making them vulnerable to capture by commercial fishers using meshing nets. To ensure the sustainability of these fish, they are completely protected from all commercial fishing activities and have a zero bag limit for recreational fishers each year during the spawning period from June 1 to August 31. Either species caught during this period by commercial or recreational fishers are to be returned to the water immediately with the least possible harm."
Anyone with information about illegal fishing activity is urged to call their local DPI fisheries office or the Fishers Watch line on 1800 043 536, or complete the on-line report form at www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au
The latest from Fish Habitat Network
The new FHN website is live: www.fishhabitatnetwork.com.au. They are building more capabilities over the coming months. Keep an eye out for the searchable fish habitat project database - this should be operating soon.
The FHN is also on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/fishhabitatnetwork
The August edition of Newstreams is also now available. If you don't subscribe, you can access current and past editions from this link.
Australian bass and estuary perch season re-opens
Fishers can take to NSW rivers and estuaries from next Saturday to target some of Australia’s great native sports fish, with the annual three month closed season for Australian bass and estuary perch ending from September 1.
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Senior Recreational Fisheries Manager, Cameron Westaway, said an annual zero bag limit for the species is in place in all rivers and estuaries (except in impoundments and in rivers above impoundments) from June 1 to August 31 to protect the vulnerable species during spawning.
"Both Australian bass and estuary perch form schools and migrate to parts of estuaries with the correct salinity over late autumn and early winter to trigger spawning," he said.
"When they are in these large groups they can be vulnerable to fishing, so a three month zero bag limit for these fish applies."
The spawning period for these species has now finished with many returning to their spring and summer feeding grounds higher up in the catchment.
"From September 1, fishers are once again permitted to take these native species, however bag limits will apply,"
Mr Westaway said.
"These include a total bag limit of two Australian bass or estuary perch per person or a combination of both with a possession limit of four.
"And only one of the fish is permitted to be over 35 cm in length when fishing in rivers."
The Entrance volunteers welcome rescue boat and unit upgrade
Volunteers from Marine Rescue The Entrance have welcomed the commissioning of their new $120,000 rescue vessel and opening of their new $30,000 jetty and unit extensions at the unit headquarters in Foreshore Reserve at North Entrance.
The Entrance 20 (TE 20), a highly-manoeuvrable 6.25m Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat built by Cobia Boats at Huskisson on the South Coast and powered by twin 90 HP 4-stroke Suzuki outboard motors, replaces the unit’s ageing 5.6m Shark Cat, built in 1985.
This is our first new rescue vessel commissioned this financial year, following our record investment of $2.5 million in 13 new and upgraded boats in 2011-2012 as part of our ongoing program to modernise the rescue fleet.
Volunteers from The Entrance have already put TE 20 to good use to assist a number of boaters and more unusually, to tow a seaplane forced to ditch in Tuggerah Lakes last month to safety at the Picnic Point boat ramp.
Unit Commander Masters said the unit’s crews had been carrying out intensive training on the new vessel since its delivery early last month.
“The great benefits of this new vessel are its manoeuvrability and versatility,” UC Masters said.
“Working as we do on the busy Lakes system to help not only our local boaters but also visitors who may not be familiar with the waterway, our crews also appreciate the boat’s ability to enter shallow waters to provide assistance without the risk of grounding.
“She also provides our crews with more space to operate and new, more advanced electronic equipment, including radar, GPS plotter and sounder, Automatic Identification System and VHF DCN and 27 MHz radios, to assist in search and rescue operations.”
The $30,000 project to build the new jetty and extend the unit to provide additional training and storage space was funded through a $20,000 State Government grant and another $10,000 raised by the unit’s volunteers.
“We now have improved facilities for our members’ training activities, helping them to continue developing and honing the skills and knowledge they need for their work to help boaters, as well as secure storage for our rescue equipment.
“We have converted our floating dry dock, which was donated by the local Freemasons, to accommodate the single-hull Cobia and moved it alongside the jetty. We can launch the boat within just a couple of minutes, meaning we’re on the water faster than ever in an emergency.”
Reminder about PFDs and toddlers in boats
An enquiry from one of our readers last week about whether toddlers are required to wear PFDs prompted us to check the details. The NSW Maritime website http://www.lifejacketwearit.com.au/ shows the regulations. There doesn’t seem to be a minimum age for wearing a PFD. The website's FAQs say:
When are Infants (under the age of 1) required to wear a lifejacket?
The legislation is unclear as to whether infants under 1 year are required to wear a lifejacket but this are clarified in the near future.
Given this situation NSW Maritime does not currently require that an infant under 1 year must wear a lifejacket but we are advising you to please give very careful consideration to waiting until the baby is older before taking them boating.
While lifejackets are available for infants (for example the Plastimo Typhoon ), some infants are too small for any lifejacket. Babies up to 1 year of age can be too small for a lifejacket to be effective due to variation in body mass and the proportional weight of a baby’s head may cause it to tilt face first into the water if they are too small to be properly supported by the lifejacket.
For a lifejacket to be effective it must be worn, fit snugly and securely and not allow the child’s head to slip through the neck hole, generally by incorporating a strap between the legs and adjustable chest fasteners. Adult lifejackets are not suitable for infants, and to ensure a lifejacket is appropriate for your child, you should seek advice from your local marine supplier and test the lifejacket to ensure adequate support, comfort and flotation is provided. An infant’s lifejacket should be compliant with a standard accepted by NSW Maritime.
Always ensure the lifejacket is tested prior to every use.
Research indicates fish larvae travel outside of MPAs
Using DNA fingerprinting technology, the dispersal of fish larvae has been tracked and it was found that 65% of larvae settled in areas outside the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in which they had been spawned.
Researchers tracked juvenile coral trout and stripey snapper larvae from MPAs in the Keppel Island group, off the central Queensland coast. They found that most of the larvae settled within one to five kilometres of reserves but a significant proportion dispersed 10 kilometres or more to find a new home. The study also found that the 28% of the total Keppel reef area which is marine reserve generated 50% of the total juvenile fish produced on the reef.
Read a summary at this link.
The research paper by Harrison and others is in Current Biology
ARFF says Coalition may hold key for Aussie anglers on Marine Park Lock Out
The Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF) has welcomed the recent statements by Coalition leader Tony Abbott on the Marine Park Planning process at the Brisbane Boat Show.
It believes the Coalition will allow recreational angler’s access to Marine Parks (green zones) subject to a scientific, economic and social assessment.
If this is the case then the Coalition may hold the key to whether Australia’s 5 million recreational anglers will be locked out of over 1.3 million kilometres of Australian Marine Parks as proposed by the Gillard Government.
ARFF spokesman Allan Hansard said “Australia’s recreational anglers are the true marine environmentalists and will actively support necessary conservation measures to protect Australia’s unique marine biodiversity and structural characteristics. We are the eyes and the ears on the sea and it is in our interests to ensure our seas are healthy for future generations to enjoy. However, locking Aussie anglers out of Marine Parks will remove an effective and cost efficient way of ensuring Marine Parks provide a high level of protection from threats such as illegal commercial fishing and environmental damage.
“The Gillard Government’s approach to Marine Parks is the same as the foreign anti-fishing lobby. They want to treat Australian families that go fishing in a tinny in the same way they treat an industrial scale fishing factory or an oil rig and lock them out of Marine Parks just for wanting to catch a fish.
“We are pleased that Mr Abbott and the Coalition have recognised the difference.
“If the Government and the anti-fishing lobby had not opposed the proposals and policies put forward by Australia’s recreational fishing community, a workable system of marine protected areas around Australia would now be assured.
“Instead, the no-compromise policies of the foreign anti-fishing lobby and their continued pressuring of the Gillard Government have caused significant public disquiet and have destabilised the Marine Parks process.
“We would like all sides of Government to see sense on this issue and not lock Australia’s recreational fishers out of Marine Parks unless there is a sound scientific justification to do so. We will continue to work constructively with all sides of Government to see this achieved.”
Healthy Catchments Strategy 2012-16 consultation
The Sydney Catchment Authority’s (SCA) draft Healthy Catchments Strategy 2012-16 outlines the actions the SCA intends to take in Sydney’s drinking water catchments to reduce the risks to water quality. The Healthy Catchments Strategy 2012-16 is due to be finalised in December 2012.
The draft Healthy Catchments Strategy 2012-16 has been developed in consultation with key stakeholders. SCA is now seeking broader community review and comment on the draft strategy.
The SCA invites anyone with an interest in water quality and catchment management in Sydney’s drinking water catchments to comment on the draft Healthy Catchments Strategy 2012-16 by Friday 21 September 2012.
All information is at this link.
Orange Pipeline Project environmental assessment
NSW Government Planning & Infrastructure is publicly exhibiting the environmental assessment for the Macquarie River to Orange Pipeline Project.
All the information including links to the documents and submissions details is online at this link.
The public can make submissions on the assessment by Monday 15 October 2012.
