New protocols announced after botched rock fisher rescue
In November last year a fisherman died after he was swept into the water at Little Bay in Sydney’s south eastern suburbs. Despite witnesses to the incident immediately calling for assistance it apparently took a New South Wales Ambulance Service helicopter more than half an hour to reach the man. A surf lifesaving helicopter stationed nearby was not alerted about the emergency and a surf lifesaving alarm on the beach was out of order. The Ambulance Service was accused of not following agreed protocols to notify other emergency services that could have assisted in a rescue.
The government has just released a report into the tragedy. State Emergency Management Committee Chairman Phil Koperberg was asked to oversee new emergency response protocols following the drowning and the recommendations include that the New South Wales Ambulance Service will have to install a new half million dollar emergency messaging system to upgrade its responses to other key rescue agencies.
Emergency Services Minister Mike Gallacher says the government will implement all of Mr Koperberg's recommendations, including that police coordinate all rescue operations.
"It is about ensuring that when communication is an issue in terms of somebody's safety in the water, the communication should not be the issue that determines whether that person gets out of the water alive or not," he said.
There will be a Coroner’s inquest into the death later this year.
Project Blueprint assessing Waverly Local Government Area
Surf Life Saving New South Wales, through its Australian CoastSafe arm, is undertaking Project Blueprint, a state-wide drowning prevention project. This program will assess every coastal beach and rock platform in New South Wales. The outcomes will include evidence based drowning prevention recommendations to stakeholders and government.
Phase 1 of the project includes the top 10 Local Government Areas based on drowning numbers over the last 7 years. The areas already assessed include Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Coffs Harbour, Wyong, Randwick & Wollongong. Areas still to be assessed in March and April include Waverley (Sydney's eastern beaches area), Sutherland (South Sydney area) and Gosford.
The research team will then be visiting the Waverly LGA between Monday 11th March and Friday 15th March, 2013.
Consultation with council, stakeholder groups and the general public is via:
• Giving feedback on coastal hazard/risk issues in the Waverly LGA in writing to lstigter@coastsafe.org.au
• Attendance at the public forum (Bondi SBLSC) on Wednesday 13th March, from 6:30pm
• Completion of the online survey’s at this link.
• A 1:1 meeting at a time/location to be determined (if you are interested)
For more information about the project please visit www.coastsafe.org.au/blueprint or contact Luke Stigter at lstigter@coastsafe.org.au.
RFA NSW members out and about
Brothers in arms: two very active ANSA NSW juniors enjoy nothing more than a day fishing, no matter where.
16 yr Alex Halim from South Sydney AFA travelled to SA to chase some XOS snapper to 12 kg in his school holidays and then backed it up with a 10 kg Jervis Bay Kingfish.
Not to be outdone his 12 year old brother Luke landed a pending 6 kg ANSA Line Class Record as well.
Marine marine park plans: genuine stakeholder consultation required
The Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF) and the Commonwealth Fisheries Association (CFA) have strengthened their calls for genuine stakeholder consultation on Commonwealth Marine Park Plans.
ARFF and CFA have repeatedly sought assurances from, and written to, Minister Burke asking for, genuine stakeholder consultation on the important issue of Marine Park management plans.
Allan Hansard, Managing Director of ARFF says “We were disappointed when we received the Departmental response that effectively said they had received thousands of “tick and flick” emails and that this equalled a thorough consultation. It’s simply not good enough, for an issue that impacts on so many Australian recreational fishers.”
Trixi Madon, Chief Executive Officer of the CFA says that “The professional fishing industry was disappointed there had been no face-to-face stakeholder consultative meetings to explain the management plans or plan components still to be developed. We question how meaningful these consultative processes really are when they involve complex rules and regulations, and seek inputs from Australians living in all areas of the nation.”
There have not been any face-to-face stakeholder meetings or consultations about the management plans in any port or town around Australia. This definitely is not good public policy.
ARFF and CFA both believe Minister Burke has been rushing the process to meet a political agenda which is no longer driven by the Greens. Now that the Labor/Green alliance has been dissolved, Mr Hansard and Ms Madon today both called on Minister Burke to put things right, to return to core Labor Party values and to instigate a proper and genuine consultation process; one that involves face-to-face consultation with the stakeholders that will be directly affected by the Marine Park management plans.
Weather check
The RFA's Joe Garufi was out and about on the rocks getting ready to complete some rockfishing surveys, but checking the conditions in the carpark via his smartphone linking to one of the RFA's safety stickers with a QR code to the BOM website, before heading down to the rocks.
We’ve been placing these stickers at car parking spots near popular fishing spots. If you need some stickers, contact the RFA at info@rfansw.com.au and we’ll mail you some.
Any location near a rockfishing spot is a good candidate for a small strategically placed sticker.
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 12 left.
We've drawn the lifejacket winners for February: Kalvin Bisetto from Gosford and Tommy Kwok from Gladesville. We'll be in touch to get their life jackets mailed out this week.
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
Sustainable Rivers Audit Report 2 released
The Sustainable Rivers Audit Report 2 was released in December 2012 and is available on DVD.
The Sustainable Rivers Audit (SRA) 2 is a comprehensive assessment of the health of river ecosystems in the Murray–Darling Basin. It reports and analyses data collected systematically across all 23 river valleys within the Basin.
The SRA is an initiative of Basin governments, coordinated on their behalf by the MDBA. The program is overseen by a panel of independent ecologists – the Independent Sustainable Rivers Audit Group, which reports to the Murray–Darling Basin Ministerial Council and the wider community.
The SRA’s second report, released in 2012, presents ‘report cards’ on river ecosystem health for each of the 23 valleys in the Basin. The reports are based on observations of fish, macroinvertebrates, vegetation, physical form and hydrology from 2008 to 2010.
For more information contact Alys Wall, Theme Coordinator, Sustainable Rivers Audit, Murray–Darling Basin Authority, Alys.Wall@mdba.gov.au
DNA tests reveals illegal catches
DNA testing undertaken to expose false information provided to fisheries officers in a recent case highlights the use of the latest science and technologies to catch offenders and the need for fishers to be truthful when speaking to fisheries officers.
NSW DPI Supervising Fisheries Officer, Ian Stockton, said the use of DNA testing was undertaken to confirm fisheries officers’ suspicions when 11 fillets claimed to be mullet for use as bait were found on a vessel off Evans Head.
“These fillets were in addition to nine whole teraglin found on the vessel,” Mr Stockton said.
“Testing proved conclusively that the fillets were also teraglin and a fisher subsequently admitted to exceeding the possession for teraglin and filleting the teraglin at sea.
“The fisher was issued with multiple penalty notices totalling $800.
“The possession limit of teraglin is five per person and it is an offence to fillet fish with a size limit in or adjacent to the water unless the fish is for immediate consumption or immediately used as bait.
Free environmental grants workshops
NSW Environment and Heritage are running workshops on available grant programs and how to design and deliver successful projects.
Any group or organisation looking for funding to support an environmental project would benefit from attending. The all day workshop is free of charge and includes refreshments, lunch, morning and afternoon tea.
Dubbo - Tuesday 5
Carlton House
Tamworth - Wednesday 6
Quality Inn Powerhouse
Ballina - Tuesday 12
Ballina Beach Resort
Port Macquarie - Wednesday 13
Westport Club
Coffs Harbour - Thursday 14
Coffs Harbour Ex-Services Club
Visit the event website at this link
More info: Email info@environmentaltrust.nsw.gov.au
Phone 02 8837 6320
Georges River and Botany Bay boating safety
Minister for Roads and Ports Duncan Gay has released a plan to improve boating safety on the Georges River and Botany Bay.
“The Botany Bay Georges River Boating Safety Plan will see the development and implementation of a range of initiatives to address safety on the waterway,” Mr Gay said.
“During the five years to the end of June 2011, there were 123 incidents reported on the waterway and almost all of these involved recreational vessels.
“Of the vessels involved in these incidents, 38 per cent were open runabouts, 26 per cent were motor cruisers or cabin runabouts, 23 per cent were personal watercraft and six per cent were sailing vessels.
“We know the factors we need to address include lack of judgement, failure to keep a
proper lookout, weather conditions, excess speed and equipment failures.”
Water safety initiatives include:
• removing of the disused piles at East Hills which are considered a navigation hazard
• installing CCTV at designated boating facilities, including ramps to monitor how they are used and behaviour
• regularly reviewing speed limits and upgrading safety and advisory signs
• establish an aquatic park on a trial basis at Floyd Bay, Lansvale, for personal watercraft riding and waterskiing activities
• allocating more resources to support education and compliance operations
“The trial of Floyd Bay as a trial aquatic park is appropriate as it’s located away from dense population and is largely isolated from the rest of the river by rocks,” Mr Flowers said.
“The Maritime Division of RMS will work with council and stakeholders to establish this trial aquatic park which will be reviewed at the end of June 2013.
“This said the strategy was the result of a robust process of consultation with community members and other stakeholders.”
A timeline is included in the plan which will see its recommendations actioned within five years.
Black bream tagging in WA
Catch and release tournament fishing for black bream has become very popular throughout Australia in the last 10 years. But where do all the fish go after they are released?
Tournament anglers in Western Australia asked that very question. So, Recfishwest started a tagging programme on to find out.
More funding for boating facilities in NSW
Minister for Roads and Ports Duncan Gay has announced more than $4.36 million in grants to provide new and improved boating facilities across NSW.
“This funding will support 55 projects in regional NSW and five boat ramp projects in Sydney Harbour,” Mr Gay said.
“It will be allocated through the Better Boating Program (BBP) and combined with the funds yet to be allocated under the Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Program, a total of around $5 million will be provided for projects across NSW this financial year.
“This is grassroots funding we’re sending straight to local communities, improving access to waterways, making boating safer and more convenient for the approximately 1.5 million who people go boating in NSW each year - whether they’re out in the runabout with the kids, taking the jet ski out with mates or even just throwing in a line from a tinny.”
BBP funding covers up to half the cost of each project and is provided to local councils and other authorities, which match the funding dollar for dollar.
Sydney project highlights included in 2012/13 BBP funding:
• $245,450 awarded to Hunters Hill Council for the upgrade of the Margaret Street boat ramp car park at Woolwich
• $300,000 awarded to National Parks and Wildlife Service to upgrade the car park at the Davidson Park boat ramp at Killarney Heights
• $200,000 awarded to Lane Cove Council for a new floating pontoon next to the existing Burns Bay boat ramp at Riverview
Regional grant highlights include:
• $148,750 awarded to Ballina Shire Council for stage two of the East Wardell boat ramp upgrade
• $112,500 awarded to Great Lakes Council to upgrade the Forster Boat Harbour boat ramp
• $400,000 awarded to Wyong Shire Council for a major upgrade of Norah Head boat ramp
• $246,706 awarded to Liverpool City Council for the first stage of upgrades to boat launching facilities at Davy Robinson Park at Moorebank
• $212,500 awarded to Kiama Municipal Council for a 40 metre extension of the existing wharf at the Kiama boat ramp to allow more recreational and charter vessels to access the harbour
• $166,500 awarded to the National Parks and Wildlife Service for the redevelopment of boat launching facilities at the Murray Valley Regional Park at Moama
For more information on the BBP grants program visit www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/mpd/infra_grants.html
Expert panel appointed to assess environmental impacts of the Abel Tasman
Environment Minister, Tony Burke, announced on 4 February that Mary Lack will chair the expert panel to assess the environmental impacts of the super trawler.
Ms Lack who is the director of fisheries management consulting company Shellack, has more than 25 years experience in Australian and international fisheries management and governance.
The other members of the four member panel include Professor Peter Harrison who has more than 30 years experience in marine science research, Associate Professor Simon Goldsworthy has been undertaking research in marine biology for more than 20 years and Dr Cathy Bulman who is a senior fisheries biologist with CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research.
The four member panel will carry out an extensive assessment of the environmental impacts of large mid-water trawl freezer vessels in the Small Pelagic Fishery under national environment law.
"Last year the Gillard Government made changes to national environment law which allow me to stop new types of commercial fishing activities in Commonwealth waters when there is uncertainty about their environmental impacts,’’ Mr Burke said.
“The expert panel will assess the declared commercial fishing activity to determine if the proposed fishing activity would adversely impact the Australian environment.
“I have chosen the members of the panel based on their strong experience and expertise across a range of scientific and fisheries management disciplines.
“The terms of reference for the new expert panel have been developed in consultation with the Fisheries Minister Joe Ludwig.”
The report from the expert panel must be presented to the Minister by 22 October 2014, at which time a decision will be made as to the future of this kind of fishing activity.
The full terms of reference for the panel are available at this link.
Fish appearing outside of natural ranges
DPI has recently received reports of species such as Barramundi and Silver Perch being caught in the Sydney region outside of their natural range. Fish introduced into waters outside of their natural range as a result of unauthorised releases can spread disease, prey upon and compete with existing fish for habitat and food and in many cases may die if not suited to those environmental conditions. A fish stocking permit is required to release fish in NSW public waters and all stocking applications are assessed to ensure that the proposals are appropriate. Permits for approved stockings are issued by DPI free of charge. Anyone with an interest in fish stocking in public waters should contact DPI on (02) 4916 3835.
US state launches Youth Fishing Passport Program
Connecticut’s Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) has launched a “Youth Fishing Passport” program to introduce and connect youth with a lifetime of excellent fishing opportunities across Connecticut. The new “Youth Fishing Passport,” is available free of charge and is a ticket for youngsters to access fishing information and fishing related activities as well as promoting a sense of environmental stewardship at an early age.
Information about the benefits of the Passport program can be found at www.ct.gov/deep/YFP .
Youngsters interested in participating in this program (with their parents/guardian permission) can register online for their free 2013 Youth Fishing Passport through the same electronic system used to obtain fishing and hunting licenses, permits and tags. Participation is open to anyone under 16 years of age, including the very youngest children, who can be registered by their parents.
A number of special fishing-related programs are being built around the Passport, and various recreational fishing vendors will be offering free products and discounts to passport holders. By registering through DEEP’s on-line sportsmen’s licensing system and providing an email address, participants will receive email communications about special events, promotions, and fishing opportunities specifically designed for youth passport holders.
Participants who register for a Passport will be issued a life-time Conservation ID number and a document similar to a fishing license. As with fishing and hunting licenses, the free Passport should be renewed annually. Also like fishing and hunting licenses, the same Conservation ID number should be used from year to year, and as the participant grows older, eventually used to obtain their adult fishing and/or hunting licenses.
DEEP believes there are a number of benefits to using the online licensing system to issue Passports. “Using the same system that all other anglers and hunters use is intended to provide youngsters with a sense of belonging to the active and enthusiastic angler community in our state,” said Deputy Commissioner Whalen. “Obtaining a conservation ID number that will be used throughout their life will encourage young people to continue to support fishing programs and take an active role in protecting Connecticut’s natural resources as they get older.”
Some early incentives include a free bag of Berkley Power Bait for the first 1,000 youth to register for the passport. Additionally, J.F. Griffin Publishing, LLC, publishers of the CT Anglers Guide and CT Hunting & Trapping, will be sponsoring a Youth Fishing Passport Sweepstakes. Prizes include a fishing charter for a family (the grand prize), three second place prizes of a fishing gear pack from Berkley and Shakespeare, and six third place prizes of Shakespeare Rod and Reel combinations. Details and information are available on the Youth Fishing Passport webpage. A youth fishing calendar of events posted by fishing clubs, watershed associations and tackle shops will be available soon.
Recfishwest welcomes commitment to rock fishing safety in WA
A new commitment by the WA State Government to resource a consolidated, consistent approach for rock fishing safety in Western Australia has been welcomed by peak recreational fishing body Recfishwest. The Government has committed $300,000 over three years after a number of tragic incidents which indicates more needed to be done to protect fishers.
“Recfishwest played a key role in ensuring the voices of rock fishers were heard and accounted for in the lead up to this decision,” Chief Executive Officer Dr Andrew Rowland said.
“Rock fishing is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous pastimes in Australia and accounts for more than 25 per cent of coastal drowning deaths in WA, according to Surf Life Saving Australia. Public awareness, promotion and education are of vital importance to reducing rock fishing incidents.”
Despite increased media coverage of several recent incidents; recreational fishers are still putting themselves at risk of injury or death. Rock fishing safety has become a state-wide issue, with incidents occurring between Steep Point, near Shark Bay right down to Esperance. Summer has already seen two unfortunate incidences in which recreational fishers have paid the ultimate price while fishing.
Recfishwest is reminding fishers to stay safe this summer. Here are a few safety tips to follow:
• Tell someone your plans, including where you plan to fish, and when you plan to return;
• Avoid fishing alone where possible;
• Assess your fishing area before beginning to fish. Larger than average waves may wash up to the area you have chosen. If this is the case, choose somewhere else to fish;
• Know the conditions. If the weather is unfavourable, stay home;
• Know how to swim;
• Wear a personal flotation device;
• Where possible, wear light clothing that won’t get waterlogged.
Recfishwest advocates for sustainable fishing resources and policies that ensure long term benefits to all recreational fishers. For more information on Recfishwest visit www.recfishwest.org.au
Action to help prevent the spread of Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome
An outbreak of Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS) in the Hawkesbury River has devastated the local oyster industry.
POMS was first detected in Mullet Creek after mortalities were reported to DPI in farmed Pacific Oysters on 20 January 2013. Further surveillance work has confirmed that POMS is present at all oyster growing areas in the Hawkesbury River including Patonga Creek.
A Quarantine Order was placed on the Hawkesbury River to halt the movement of oysters and oyster farming equipment to other estuaries. A closure of the nearby Brisbane Water has also been implemented by DPI.
What can you do to prevent the spread of POMS to other oyster growing estuaries, particularly Brisbane Water.
If fishing in the Hawkesbury River and then in another area:
• Ensure that fishing gear or traps are free of any oysters/sediment/biofouling;
• Drain all water from your boat and gear;
• Use car/truck wash to rinse fishing gear, traps, boats (inside and out) and trailers and then air dry; and
• Flush outboard engines.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter. POMS has previously caused mortalities of Pacific Oysters in Georges River and Port Jackson in 2010 and 2011. The above precautions also apply when fishing these areas.
The NSW Food Authority and NSW Health have confirmed Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome only affects Pacific Oysters and poses no risk to human health. POMS does not impact Sydney Rock or Native Flat Oysters. For more information see the DPI website
Reminders
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
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.
