Australia Day weekend rock fishing alert
A tropical low is slowly moving down the Queensland coast towards New South Wales, and is expected to generate strong to gale force winds about northern coastal areas during the weekend. This will lead to dangerous fishing and boating conditions especially on the northern part of the coast.
Conditions on the north coast will deteriorate on Sunday, get worse on Monday and continue to be dangerous through next week, with seas of around 3 metres plus swells of up to 5 metres. Conditions further south will also be affected but to a lesser extent.
Don't put your life on the line... if it's rough, stay at home or choose a safer place.
Check Bureau of Meteorology forecasts before planning a trip.
Win one of 24 free life jackets from the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW
Enter the RFA's Rock Fishing Safety Life Jacket Competition and win one of our 24 free life jackets! There's still 16 left.
The Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW is giving away two lifejackets every month for 12 months until August 2013. Enter on the RFA's Safe Fishing website at www.safefishing.com.au
Win a PAQUA waterproof belt pouch
We have three waterproof PAQUA belt pouches worth $34.95 each to give away on our Facebook page. PAQUA pouches are waterproof pouches designed to keep your keys, money, credit cards, etc., safe and dry at a depth of up to 2 metres. They can be securely mounted on your waist or arm with Velcro straps. Perfect for boating, kayaking, rockfishing and anywhere you might get an unexpected dunking.
To win, go to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rfansw and 'like' the page. We'll take the next 10 new 'likes' on our page after this newsletter goes out, and choose three of them at random to win a PAQUA pouch each and we'll mail them out to you.
Lifejacket wear a crucial factor in reducing boating fatalities
Transport NSW has just published Boating Incidents in NSW – statistical report for the 10-year period ending 30 June 2012. The document can be downloaded at this link.
The report provides an in-depth analysis of boating incident statistics for the period 2002-03 to 2011-12. It also examines overall longer term trends in fatal and serious injury incident rates as far back as 1992-93.
Over the 10 year period, there were 167 boating fatalities and 575 serious injuries, arising from 3754 incidents. Boating fatality rates remain too high, even though the report finds that there has been a significant decrease in the recreational boating fatal incident rate since 1992.
The report focuses on recreational vessels and finds that the most common causes of recreational vessel fatal incidents over the last 10 years were adverse weather, poor judgement, excessive speed and hazardous waters.
The report provides compelling evidence of the value of lifejackets, including evidence of a significant decline in bar crossing fatalities since the implementation of compulsory lifejacket wear requirements for all vessels crossing ocean bars.
Diver killed by boat prop at Currarong
A North Nowra diver in his 20s was killed on 24 January at Currarong after being hit by a boat propeller.
The man was spear fishing at Little Beecroft when he was hit, suffering extensive injuries. Ambulance paramedics and a doctor who arrived on scene performed CPR but the man could not be revived.
Local media reports say that acccording to one witness the man was using a buoy and dive flag but that is yet to confirmed by police.
For the past couple of years spear fishing and recreational fishing groups have been in discussions with Ministers, NSW Roads and Maritime Services, and the Office of Boating Safety in NSW attempting to amend the boating regulations and improve boater attitudes towards other water users, in particular those that are in the water and at times may be a little harder to see.
Regulations about the use of divers' flags were amended in 2012. It is mandatory for a blue and white diving flag to be shown on a boat that is used by divers. The requirements include:
• Flag is to be a rigid replica
• Top of the flag is to be at least 1 m clear of the top of the vessel’s superstructure or other obstruction, or at least 2 m from the water surface if displayed on a nearby buoy
• Flag is to be at least 400 mm by 400mm in size
• Flag is to be in good condition at all times (eg not faded), and
• Flag is to be visible, at all times, through 360°
The operator of a vessel underway must maintain a safe distance from, and travel at a safe speed when in the vicinity of, an area in which a flag is displayed.
The penalty for non-compliance is $250.
These changes were incorporated in a suite of amendments to the Marine Safety (General) Regulation 2009 on 30/11/2012 and are now the law.
Of course these regulations don't help at all unless they are respected by other water users. All boaters must be aware of and abide by maritime rules when they see a blue and white Diving Flag (pictured) being flown on a boat or float. Boaters also need to take special care around areas where divers may be in the water without a boat that can display a flag, eg around the rocks, (although some divers do use personal floats and flags). A lot more education and awareness information needs to be targeted at the boating and fishing fraternity, as many incidents prove that too many boaters still do not understand what a divers' flag is, nor do they abide by the rules that support diver safety.
Still no central database of Crown road/fishing access closures
The NSW government has not responded to the NSW CFA's and the RFA's requests that an online reference database be established so that anglers can monitor applications for sale of Crown roads that may affect fishing access.
In the meantime, whenever possible, we will list any applications that we become aware of on our Facebook page. Anglers should also closely monitor their local newspapers where these applications for closure will be advertised.
Go to our Facebook page for info. http://www.facebook.com/rfansw
Super trawler to operate as mothership?
The 'super trawler' is back in the news, it seems that the operators Seafish Tasmania have asked the Australian Fisheries Management Authority for approval to use a 'mothership' to process, package and freeze the redbait and blue mackerel caught by several smaller fishing vessels. This would seem to possibly have the same effect, or worse, as operating a single large ship and cause localised depletion of stocks.
Fishing World commented on the irony of the situation: "Seafish Tasmania plans to sell these fish to African nations for about $1 a kilo. In previous years fleets of foreign super trawlers ravaged the African fisheries, thus making them unviable for local fishermen and causing food supply issues." You can read their full article at this link.
If you want to have your say then check out the AFMA website here http://www.afma.gov.au/managing-our-fisheries/consultation/opportunity-to-comment-on-the-transhipment-of-fish-at-sea-in-the-small-pelagic-fishery/ email submissions to AFMAConsultation@afma.gov.au by the 28th January 2013.
Fishing clubs get a helping hand to increase coastal fish numbers
Fishing clubs in coastal NSW now have the opportunity to help improve their fishery, thanks to a new NSW DPI project to increase angler knowledge of fish habitat and work with clubs on local habitat improvement projects.
DPI Acting Executive Director of Fisheries, Bill Talbot, said getting involved in local fish habitat rehabilitation is a new step for most recreational fishing clubs.
“The outcomes will benefit fishers and their coastal communities,” Mr Talbot said.
“More habitat means more fish, so by improving fish habitat you are effectively improving your chances at catching a fish. Through the new project, Scott Nichols, a DPI Fisheries Conservation Manager, will be visiting clubs and talking with recreational fishers about the things that are affecting their local fishing spots, as well as helping them plan small actions to improve local fish habitat. This project - targeting the eyes and ears of our local fisheries - is being implemented using funds from the recreational fishing licence fee.”
Malcolm Poole, Chairman of the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW, said the best fishing spots are the ones with good water quality and connected to the variety of habitats needed to support a well balanced food chain.
“This allows fish to get all the food they need and to get bigger and ready to catch,” Mr Poole said.
“Scott has already sent letters out to most clubs offering a talk on fish, fish habitat and local opportunities. I encourage all clubs to invite Scott along to a club meeting or event and just listen to what he has to say. There’s more happening than most of us realise, but a lot more needs to happen. We, as people who love fishing, need to get more involved.”
Mr Talbot said club members know a lot about their local fishery and DPI was looking forward to working with them.
“DPI can help local fishers to identify issues, potential habitat projects, sources of funding and ways to bring all this together so that we can work together to increase fish numbers,” he said.
If your club is interested in receiving a talk on fish habitat related issues, or if you would like to get started on a project of your own, contact the Project Manager Scott Nichols on 02 6626 1396, 0429 300 489 or email scott.nichols@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
Pollies get hooked on AFTA’s Politician/Celebrity Fishing Tournament
The inaugural Politician / Celebrity Fishing Tournament organised by the Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) is hotting up with MPs from both sides of politics confirming their participation in the event.
The Tournament to be held on Sunday 3 February 2013 at St Georges Basin NSW is the first of its kind and aims to profile the benefits of recreational fishing, Australia’s biggest sports-leisure activity, to politicians and the broader community. It’s estimated that 5 million Australians go fishing every year and spend over $10 billion doing so.
AFTA extended invitations to all sides of politics and although our politicians will be fishing in individual teams we expect some strong competition on the day. So far we have Fisheries Minister Joe Ludwig leading the charge for the Government against a strong Coalition team including renowned NT fishing expert Nigel Scullion.
A focus of the Tournament will be to promote recreational fishing to all Australians of all ages. Well known female fishing celebrities Chloe Taylor and Tanya Konsul will be joining the Tournament to ensure our pollies get the right expert advice.
St Georges basin is renowned as one of the best fishing havens in Australia and draws thousands of fishers to its shores each year. Our polllies are sure to catch a fish. All the fish caught during the tournament will be safely released back into the Basin, after they have been weighed, measured, photographed and bragged about.
Recreational fishing is Australia’s greatest pastime with over 5 million Australians going fishing annually. Recreational fishing makes a significant contribution to the economy with over $10 billion being spent on going fishing each year. Recreational fishers are also active environmentalists, protecting our unique rivers and seas.
Proceeds of the Tournament will be going to Surf Life Saving Australia and other local charities.
Further information on the AFTA Politician / Celebrity Fishing Tournament can be obtained from the AFTA Office in Canberra on 02 6282 8500.
Holiday fishers caught in major Central Coast crackdown
A major fisheries compliance operation conducted on the Central Coast over the Christmas holiday period has resulted in 146 penalty notices being issued and a large number of fish being seized.
NSW DPI Director of Fisheries Compliance, Glenn Tritton, said the targeted operation concentrated on areas around The Entrance due to concerns about the increased level of illegal fishing in the area during previous Christmas/New Year holiday periods.
"Fisheries officers engaged in overt and covert day and night patrols targeting areas where fishing activity was concentrated," Mr Tritton said.
"Large electronic warning signs were placed at the boat ramp at Picnic Point and the fishing platform at North Entrance to increase awareness of the fishing rules and deter illegal fishing activity. More than 4,400 fishers were checked by fisheries officers during the operation, with the majority found to be compliant with the rules. However, a proportion of fishers flouted the rules, resulting in 146 penalty notices being issued and 351 fish and 14 items of fishing gear being seized.
"Although the compliance rate was more than 95 per cent, there are still too many people disregarding the rules in place to protect and sustain our fisheries resources for current and future generations."
Mr Tritton said 86 of the penalty notices issued during the operation were for failing to pay the recreational fishing licence.
"A further 38 fishers did not have their licence in their immediate possession," he said.
"Other offences included possession of prohibited size fish, possessing prohibited fishing gear and exceeding bag and possession limits."
South Coast Fisheries office opened
During December the Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson officially opened the new South Coast Fisheries office and declared Nowra as the hub for recreational and indigenous fisheries management in NSW.
Ms Hodgkinson said this new office is a huge boost to the South Coast with employment, economic and social benefits to increase.
“The NSW Government is bringing more than 30 Fisheries jobs to the Shoalhaven and some jobs to Wollongong,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“I am proud to see our policy of a decade of decentralisation achievements come to fruition.
“This Nowra office will process the State’s 500,000 recreational fishing licences each year and manage around 1,100 commercial fishing licences, including licence transfers, renewals and the collection of charges and penalties.”
Other functions include the artificial reef program, setting of bag and size limits, education programs, fish stocking and Aboriginal cultural fishing.
“This new office will make services more accessible and relevant to our stakeholders,” “In addition, we have equipped the Nowra office with the necessary resources to be the nucleus of NSW for recreational and indigenous fisheries and fishing licence management.”Ms Hodgkinson said.
“For the first time licensing employees will be housed in one modern facility, which will generate much greater efficiencies. At the previous site employees were in three different offices.
“Once fully operational, South Coast Fisheries will be the second largest Fisheries NSW office behind the Port Stephens Fisheries Institute and Research Centre of Excellence.
“Having the South Coast as the State’s recreational fisheries management hub brings employees closer to where the majority of the State’s recreational fishing havens are based.
“It also enables greater collaboration with the University of Wollongong’s Shoalhaven Marine & Freshwater Centre, so projects like developing commercial shellfish leases can be delivered,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
Government fast tracks Aussie angler lock out of marine parks
The Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF) has called on the Federal Government to come clean on why it is now rushing the development of the management plans for the Marine Park reserve system. The current marine park reserve system will see Australia’s 5 million recreational fishers locked out of over 1.3 million square kilometres of Australian waters and the ARFF says the Government has not provided any valid scientific economic or social reason why.
This is the biggest ‘lock out’ of recreational fishers in Australian history and as the largest stakeholder group affected by the Marine Park lockouts we deserve answers. We also deserve a process for the development of management plans for these areas that is transparent, includes all major stakeholders and seeks to find the truth behind why the Government wants to lock Aussie recreational fishers out of our own waters. It should not be rushed.
In locking Aussie anglers out, we are being treated like an oil exploration company or an industrial scale commercial fishing vessel; even though recreational fishers can adopt catch and release fishing and other methods that will minimize any environmental impact concerns. Ironically they are letting thousands of diving and tourism charters, container and bulk carriers and even defence activities to still access these areas.
Their decision to ban recreational fishers also contradicts a well-known and long standing precedent set for the famous Ningaloo Marine National Park, where recreational fishers can fish the Park and have done in an environmentally sensitive way for years.
We are asking the Government to extend the consultation period for commenting on the draft management plans to 90 days, to allow for genuine stakeholder consultation. The 30 day consultation period is too short to comprehensively comment on the 40 reserve areas and the hundreds of management zones within them.
ARFF also calls for the establishment of key stakeholder working groups for the development of management plans, where the management plans are worked up collectively. To date consultations have been selective with stakeholders being kept apart and largely traded off against each other. Now we are seeing the process rushed, without proper stakeholder consultation to meet a political agenda – this is not good public policy and our unique Australian seas and oceans deserve more, as do the stakeholders who use the affected areas.
Growing concern about Port Botany mercury pollution
There is growing concern that mercury from the 60 year old Orica plant near Botany Bay is contaminating foreshore sediment and the nearby Penrhyn estuary (pictured). Orica is being accused of covering up the extent of mercury contamination around the site.
Reports in the Fairfax Media claim that mercury was found in very high concentrations in the sediment within the nearby estuary, in low levels along the shoreline near the port's container facilities and that tonnes of toxic mercury-contaminated sludge may have been dumped, decades ago, on land near a former Orica plant in Matraville.
The Environmental Protection Authority has directed Orica to clean up the mercury contamination at Port Botany. But Orica was allowed to commission its own environmental reports on potential health risks and experts claim that the company has only focused on contamination within its own sites and the groundwater beneath it, and never investigated off-site contamination, which could affect more than 1500 homes, some of which are just 100 metres away from its boundaries. Mercury accumulates within the food chain in fish and crustaceans. It is also taken up by vegetables and fruit trees in gardens and then passes on to people who eat this produce.
Andrew Helps, an Australian expert in mercury recovery claims that tonnes of accumulated toxic waste from the plant, as well as gas emissions into the atmosphere during its operating life, remain unaccounted for and ignored in Orica's reports. Helps runs a company that specialises in clearing sites of mercury contamination, and says the tests run by Orica only scratch the surface of the problem by not addressing the issues of how much mercury left the site gaseously or as metal in the waterways. He also says there are high levels of chromium in the estuary sediment.
The company says that sludge from the site was disposed of in licensed landfill sites approved by the EPA and that its testing for mercury always returns results below the levels set by the EPA.
However a spokesman for the Minister for Roads and Ports, Duncan Gay, has apparently confirmed that mercury has been found on the Port Botany shoreline and a report from 2003 prepared prior to expansion of the port found high levels of mercury in the Penrhyn estuary sediment.
Andrew Helps was quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald: "What concerns me about Port Botany is very clearly the sediments are highly contaminated with mercury and there's a large population of people there who fish recreationally and eat them."
Coles supermarket rejects FAD caught fish
In December Coles supermarket announced a ban on fish caught by commercial fishers using fish aggregation devices (FADs).
FADs attract fish but opponents say the commercial fishing ships that target them also catch and kill a lot of sharks, rays, undersized tuna and turtles in the by catch.
Greenseas and John West apparently also are stopping buying fish caught by targeting FADs in favour of operators that target free swimming schools of tuna that do not attract the same by catch species.
Free NSW Recreational Fishing Calendars
NSW DPI's free 2013 Recreational Fishing Calendar showcases some of the best recreational fishing photos they received in their 2012 photo competition. As well as the high quality photos the calendar includes important fishing dates and information.
Get in early as stocks are limited. Click here to request a copy.
Healthy Waterways DVD now available
The Healthy Waterways DVD "Healthy Waterways = Better Boating, More Fish" has been completed and is being distributed. Produced by the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority, this short film discusses how boaters and fishers can help keep our waterways healthy by protecting habitat, preventing the spread of aquatic pests, and volunteering.
DVDs of the video (with multilingual sub-titles) are available for fishing clubs; for more information contact Linda.Dedovic@cma.nsw.gov.au.
You can include the video in your club newsletters and websites by using the YouTube link http://youtu.be/CArVg-JcYTI
Safe fishing videos for your club website
Over the past few months, working with NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers and NSW DPI, we have given away thousands of the "Fishing Safely in NSW" DVD. We have been sending them out to individual anglers, fishing clubs and community groups. NSW DPI has also been distributing copies to anglers, at fishing workshops and other events. That brings us up to about 22,000 copies that have been handed out in past year.
The DVD covers rockfishing, freshwater fishing and underwater fishing. Any club should feel free to frame the videos in their own websites, just get the code to embed the various from our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/safefishing .
RFA safe fishing bumper stickers
We have a fresh print run of our weatherproof bumper stickers. There are three designs, each features a QR code linking your smartphone to Bureau of Meteorology weather forecasts and PFD safety information. If you would like some for your car, boat, club members or to put around any fishing spots, send your name and postal address to info@rfansw.com.au
RFA videos now on YouTube channel
The RFA of NSW now has a YouTube channel where all our safe fishing videos can be viewed. Go to www.youtube.com/safefishing to see the channel.
