News
Room
News
Room Update 6/Decembere/08
Illegal trout angler ordered to pay $3600
A man has been convicted, fined $1500 and ordered to pay costs
of $2100 after being found guilty of several offences relating
to recreational trout fishing in the Latrobe River, near Noojee.
The 48 year old man was caught by plain-clothed Fisheries
Officers during a planned patrol targeting people fishing inland
rivers during the trout closed season. The man was in possession
of 27 trout during the closed season and was using trout eggs
as fishing bait. The man also gave Fisheries Officers a false
address at the time of apprehension.
He subsequently failed to appear at Latrobe Valley Law Courts
however investigations by Fisheries Officers revealed he had
moved to Western Australia. The man was charged with taking
more than the daily bag limit, using trout eggs for bait, taking
trout during the closed season and providing officers with
a false address.
Closed seasons are in place because fish are vulnerable to
fishing pressure when trying to breed.
Recreational anglers are encouraged to obtain the Victorian
Recreational Fishing Guide, which describes fishing regulations.
They are available free of charge from DPI and most good fishing
tackle shops. Members of the public who wish to report suspect
or illegal fishing activities are urged to call the 24 hour
offence reporting line 13 FISH (13 3474), at any time of the
day, seven days a week.
Free 2009 ‘Go Fishing in Victoria’ calendar out
now
The new 2009 ‘Go Fishing in Victoria’ calendar
is now available. The free calendars are part of the Government’s
$3.2 million Go Fishing in Victoria initiative which aims to
increase participation in fishing by improving facilities and
promoting angling as a fun and healthy outdoor activity for
the entire family.
The theme of the 2009 Go Fishing in Victoria calendar is fish
friendly farming. Each month has its own colour illustration
depicting how farmers and the community help fish and fish
habitat by protecting the environment in and around waterways
and while fishing in adjacent rivers and lakes.
Activities carried out by the community
ranges from calling Fisheries Victoria’s 13 FISH (13
3474) reporting service if they suspect illegal fishing to
fencing off stock and using
fertilisers responsibly.
The calendar also lists important fishing dates in 2009 such
as closed seasons for species such as
trout, Murray cod and blackfish, and important farming dates
such as key agricultural field days.
The illustrated calendar also highlights dates for Family
Fishing Festivals at each of the five Premier Lakes next year.
These are fun events for new and experienced recreational fishers.
To obtain a free copy of the calendar visit your nearest DPI
office, send an email to go.fishing@dpi.vic.gov.au which includes
your postal address, or call the DPI Customer Service Centre
on 136 186. For more information about the Go Fishing in Victoria
initiative visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/gofishing.
Stocking summary – October 2008
Date Water Species No. Date Water Species No.
1/10 EILDON PONDAGE WEIR RT 5,000 18/10 JUBILEE LAKE (Daylesford)
RT 130
2/10 BULLEN MERRI LAKE BT 4,400 20/10 HUME LAKE BT 4,550
2/10 ELINGAMITE LAKE BT 2,000 21/10 HUME LAKE BT 4,550
ELINGAMITE LAKE RT 1,000 21/10 PURRUMBETE LAKE BT 4,000
6/10 CASEY FIELDS LAKE RT 400 22/10 DEAN RESERVOIR BT 500
7/10 PURRUMBETE LAKE BT 5,000 DEAN RESERVOIR RT 500
9/10 WURDIBOLUC RESERVOIR BT 3,000 COSGRAVE RESERVOIR BT 1,000
PURRUMBETE LAKE RT 1,100 COSGRAVE RESERVOIR RT 1,000
14/10 BLUE ROCK LAKE RT 3,000 COLBROOK RESERVOIR BT 600
14/10 EILDON PONDAGE WEIR BT 75 23/10 SEAGULL LAKE (Geelong) RT 500
EILDON PONDAGE WEIR RT 830 24/10 EILDON LAKE RT 14,300
15/10 WURDIBOLUC RESERVOIR BT 3,000 27/10 HUME LAKE BT 4,550
WURDIBOLUC RESERVOIR RT 2,000 28/10 PURRUMBETE LAKE BT 2,300
15/10 EILDON LAKE RT 302 BULLEN MERRI LAKE BT 600
16/10 HANGING ROCK LAKE RT 300 28/10 EILDON LAKE RT 5,000
NAVAN LAKE (Melton) RT 300 29/10 EILDON PONDAGE WEIR RT 210
YARRAMBAT LAKE RT 250 EILDON PONDAGE WEIR BT 10
17/10 JUBILEE LAKE (Daylesford) RT 470 30/10 HYLAND LAKE RT 460
JACK ROPER RESERVE RT 250 31/10 EILDON LAKE RT 9,130
(# indicates fish have been clipped for research purposes)
(BT = brown trout, RT = rainbow trout)
Fishy fact – Romance in the rivers
and love in the lakes
Thousands of native fish including Murray cod, golden perch
and blackfish are welcoming increasing water temperatures by
beginning their critical breeding season in rivers lakes and
streams throughout the state.
Alas there will be no soft music and candles. For many of
our native species a combination of rising water temperatures,
heavy rain events, sharp changes in barometric pressure and
even moon phases trigger these fish into spawning. As a result
the production of thousands of juveniles which hatch weeks
later.
Anglers are asked to observe closed seasons for many native
species as protecting these large breeding fish ensures excellent
fishing opportunities into the future.
Anglers are reminded that if they do hook one during the closed
season they need to return them to the water quickly and safely.
If possible leave the fish in the water while de-hooking and
keep their bodies well supported at all times.
Freshwater Fisher
is a free
monthly email newsletter published by the NSW Council
of Freshwater Anglers
Inc. Angling clubs are welcome to re-send Freshwater Fisher
to their members.
President’s View
Welcome to another issue of Freshwater Fisher. As you will
be aware the last few weeks have been very concerning ones
for anglers and businesses associated with trout fishing in
NSW. In the NSW Government’s Mini-budget released on
11 November 2008 the Minister of the Department of Primary
Industries signalled the closing of Gaden Trout Hatchery in
Jindabyne as a cost saving measure. This action would mean
the end of trout fishing as we know it in the southern half
of the state and would threaten the loss of $70 million dollars
of annual income to local businesses, 700 jobs and cut 35,000
visits to trout fishing destinations annually.
As a result of the announcement my first phone call was to
the Labor Member for Monaro Steve Whan. I was pleasantly surprised
when Steve told me that he would not support the closure by
his government and that he was willing to work with the NSWCFA
to get the decision reversed.
As you will know we organised a very successful rally at Gaden
Hatchery on Sunday 16 November 2008. Speakers on the day were
myself, Steve Whan, Andrew Constance (Liberal, Member for Bega)
and Melinda Pavey (Nationals, Member NSW Legislative Council).
Every speaker opposed the closure and saw the folly in the
decision. Why the Department of Primary Industries headed down
such a destructive path for so little savings is anyone’s
guess. From my personal perspective I doubt that this would
have happened if fisheries had not been amalgamated with the
agriculture-dominated Primary Industries. A stand alone Fisheries
Department would have been able to see the impact of such a
decision and would have come up with better ways of making
the required cost savings.
After the rally I was invited, along with NSW CFA Councillor
Peter Gibson to attend a meeting with the Minister DPI the
Hon Ian MacDonald, Steve Whan and Mr Robert Brown of the Shooters
Party on Friday 21 November 2008.
At this meeting it was resolved that the Minister would refrain
from closing or selling Gaden until such time as the NSWCFA
could report back to him with alternatives that would satisfy
anglers, the community, stakeholders and of course his treasury.
He indicated that if we could present an acceptable solution
he would not close the hatchery.
The Council is working hard to identify suitable options to
place before the Minister in December. I hope that members
appreciate the enormity of this task as there are many views
of what should happen and many stakeholders who need to be
consulted. Certainly the Council cannot do this alone. We are
working with the Recreational Fishing Alliance and the Recreational
Fishing Freshwater Trust Expenditure Committee in an effort
to ensure that this valuable fishery is maintained.
Some reports in the press have indicated that the struggle
for Gaden is over; however these reports are not correct. I
acknowledge the willingness of the Minister to allow the NSWCFA
to broker a better deal for trout anglers and the communities
that rely on their spending, but the final decision is yet
to be realised.
Members of the NSWCFA can feel justifiably proud of the action
taken to date by your Executive. We have worked with various
politicians and other organisations in a collaborative fashion
to seek the best outcome. It is the Council that leads the
fight to save Gaden and its collective wisdom on freshwater
issues in NSW is proving to be the one thing that all sides
are seeking. I firmly believe that there are significant opportunities
for the Council that will stem from our performance on this
issue to date.
If you have any suggestions that will assist us save Gaden
please pass them on to me at steve_samuels@bigpond.com I will
keep all stakeholders advised of the outcome of the December
meeting.
Steve Samuels
President
NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers
________________________________________
Fine for river excavation near Cooma
Cantrala Proprietary Limited has been fined $94,000 for illegal
excavations at Dromore Station on the Murrumbidgee River near
Cooma.
Department of Water and Energy spokesman Tim Holden said the
fine was significant and demonstrates that altering a river's
flow and affecting the water supply for other users is a very
serious issue.
70,000 more bass for Snowy River
Southern Rivers CMA, with funding assistance from the NSW Environmental
Trust, has recently released 120,000 bass fingerlings in a
180 km stretch of the Snowy River between Jindabyne and the
Victorian border. CMA staff, recreational anglers (including
NSW CFA Members Monaro Acclimatisation Society) and landowners
assisted with the releases, many of which had to be done by
helicopter into remote and rough sections of the river. The
releases bring to around 200,000 the total number of fish stocked
in the past two years.
The fish were bred from brood stock secured from the lower
Snowy and propogated at Narooma Aquaculture.
‘The restocking program is being carried out for a number
of reasons”, said Pam Green, Chairperson of Southern
Rivers CMA.
“ Firstly, with all the rehabilitation works that have been carried
out over the past eight years, we believe the Snowy River is
now in a good position to support these fish in many locations.
Secondly, we are helping secure the genetic stock of the Bass
in the Snowy River.
“ Fish monitoring over recent years has shown that Australian
Bass have not successfully bred and recruited young stock for
about 19 years, so the larger Australian Bass remaining in
the lower reaches of the river are getting toward the end of
their life span.”
The plan is for a trout and bass fish fishery to co-exist in
the river. Fish populations in the river were wiped out when
the Snowy Scheme diverted 99% of the Snowy's flow to the west,
causing massive environmental problems. Recent changes to environmental
water flows have only returned a fraction of the original flow
but it is hoped that those improvements and willow removal
and other remedial measures will improve the river.
NSWCFA assists in EHN Research
At the recent Fish Biology Conference held in Canberra NSW
CFA President Steve Samuels met up with Professor Richard Whittington
and Dr Joy Becker from the University of Sydney. These two
researchers are searching for Epizootic Haematopoietic Necrosis
(EHN) Virus in fish living in the Murray Darling Basin. EHN
is a serious threat to a number of fish species and was first
isolated in 1985 in redfin perch. Outbreaks of EHN have since
occurred in NSW, South Australia, Victoria and the ACT.
The researchers indicated that they are trying to piece together
a map of where EHN is present as it appears that it is not
in all waterways, however they also stated that as a team of
two they were having difficulty in getting samples from a wide
area of the Basin.
NSWCFA President Steve Samuels saw a great opportunity for
members of affiliated clubs to assist in this valuable research
and as a result the NSWCFA has agreed to assist the researchers
in gathering samples of redfin from across the Murray Darling
Basin.
The researchers have supplied the NSWCFA with a number of sample
kits and instructions. The procedure is quite simple – a
whole small redfin or the guts of a larger one are placed in
a sample bag and frozen. Details of the capture site are noted.
Members are asked to store the samples and bring them frozen
to the NSWCFA Meeting in February, where Dr Becker will attend
to collect them. If members cannot make the February meeting
alternative arrangements will be made to get the samples to
the researchers.
Some sample kits were distributed at the November meeting in
Wollongong and Steve Samuels still has a number of kits he
can forward to members or any other interested party keen to
assist. Just email Steve at steve_samuels@bigpond.com for details.
Conference considers future of recreational fishing
Seventy five of the country’s most knowledgeable experts
on recreational fishing recently met in Canberra to discuss
the future of recreational fishing.
The national conference titled “Recreational Fishing
2020 – a shared vision”, aimed to develop a consolidated
vision for recreational fishing. Presentations from experts
on climate change, social science research and community engagement
were matched with views from state and national peak representative
bodies, fisheries managers and conservation agencies.
A common theme to emerge was the issue of access to fishing
opportunities and the realisation that there would be both
threats to and opportunities for further access into the future.
The keynote address was provided by Frank Prokop, Executive
Director of Recfishwest and long time campaigner for recreational
fishing rights and recognition. In 1989, Frank became Australia’s
first full time recreational fisheries manager. Frank also
provided insight into a twenty year journey which demonstrated
that while recreational fisheries management has come a long
way, there was still a great deal of work to do in order to
achieve a shared vision.
The conference had a strong focus on capturing the thoughts
and ideas of the next generation of recreational fishing leaders.
Graduates from both the national Next Generation of Leaders
program and Recfishwest’s Young Future Leaders program
attended the conference and had their travel and accommodation
sponsored by FRDC. Speaking about the need for strong leadership
into the future, Jo-Anne Ruscoe, FRDC People Development Project
Manager, highlighted that the capacity for recreational fishers
to better engage in fisheries management and research will
be dependent on the quality of leadership in the sector. Communities
rely on positive role models and the recreational fishing community
is no different.
The conference concluded with a workshop session hosted by
Recfishing Research (an initiative of Recfish Australia and
FRDC) to discuss the direction and specific needs for research,
development and investment for the recreational fishing sector
for the next 5 years.
The outcomes of the conference will be published as a proceedings
document and the research priorities will form the 3rd Edition
of the Recfishing Research R,D&E Business Plan and will
be available from www.recfishingresearch.org.
Drought affecting Monaro towns
Nimmitabel, in the heart of the eastern Monaro trout fishery,
has moved to level six water restrictions and restrictions
are being tightened in other towns across the Monaro as rivers
and creeks dry up.
Level six restrictions ban all water use except for human consumption
and hygiene purposes. The ban was introduced after the nearby
Maclaughlin River stopped, forcing the town to rely on bore
water from Lake William. The Maclaughlin is normally the main
water supply for the town and the premier trout stream in the
district.
The Federal government recently confirmed a grant for feasibility
studies for a new earth wall dam on Pig Ring Creek near Nimmitabel
to augment the town's water supply.
Recfishing awards recognise excellence and contribution
“
The 2008 Recfishing awards recognising the contributions and
excellence to recreational fishing were well received at a
dinner over the weekend and it was pleasing that so many had
travelled so far to participate and congratulate the winners” said
Bruce Schumacher, Chair of Recfish Australia.
“ The winners were all worthy recipients and indeed the finalists
and all nominees deserved to be recognised as there has been
thousands of hours dedicated to their respective causes within
recreational fishing. Whilst there can only be one winner for
each category of the awards there will continue to be many
winners, particularly the angling public, from the efforts
of all who contribute.”
“
The awards are held every two years and we look forward to
a growing interest level in the awards. A number of new categories
were introduced this year including the Mal Ramsay Lifetime
Achievement Award”.
Award winners were:
Excellence in Innovation and Leadership: 2008 Winner John Diplock
This award gives recognition for an individual’s contribution
to recreational fishing. John has had 35 years experience within
fisheries management and approximately 10 years in recreational
fishing. He has been involved in a variety of challenges within
the sector and been involved in advisory councils and committee
at local, state and federal government levels. John is also
a keen recreational fisher who wets a line at every opportunity.
John was presented with his award by Peter Neville, Chairman
of the FRDC.
Excellence in Support for Research Outcomes: 2008 Winner Bill
Sawynok
This category recognises an individual or organisation’s
contribution. Bill is a most deserving recipient given his
long term involvement and ongoing commitment to the field of
research across a broad and diverse range of subjects that
have a relationship with recreational fishing and marine habitats.
There is no doubt that Bill has made a substantial and valuable
contribution towards fisheries research outcomes and served
as an inspiration for many fishers and members of the community
generally to actively participate in the challenging and rewarding
field of research. Among his many achievements is his pivotal
involvement with fish tagging and commitment to the development
and implementation of a national strategy for the survival
of released line caught fish. Currently Bill is the Manager
of Recfishing Research.
Excellence in Recreational Fishing Communication: 2008 Winner
USFA for The Guide to Spearfishing in NSW
This category aims to promote and encourage the recreational
fishing sector’s efforts towards effective communication
with its members and stakeholders. It recognises an individual
or organisation that has demonstrated effectiveness and innovation
in recreational fishing communication.
USFA has produced The Guide to Spearfishing in NSW to educate
skin divers of the responsibilities of their actions. The guide
is available for distribution to members and the general recreational
fishing sector and all relevant dive and fishing retailers
statewide. It will also feature as a supplement in the summer
edition of Spearfishing Downunder Magazine. In total 8,000
copies will be distributed. Communication through websites,
weblogs, letters to influencers and stakeholders, new member
start up packs, member events, regulatory authorities, government,
media and other interest groups will continue to underpin the
communication strategy.
Project of the Year: 2008 Winner Great Australian Shark Count
by AUF
This category recognises a project that has contributed to
recreational fishing. The aim of the Great Australian Shark
Count project is to increase knowledge by education and participation.
In this project people are encouraged to increase their knowledge
and then undertake opportunistic shark sightings and log their
sightings onto a dedicated website. Although modeled on the
highly successful Great American Fish Count, the Great Australian
Shark Count is now the largest community monitoring shark count
in the world and has received extensive positive media exposure
and was a finalist in 2008 United Nations Award. Fishers and
divers have been working positively with scientists, government,
business and the community and in less than 12 months 10 species
and 6,000 sharks have been sighted. Previous data on sharks
is rare or non-existent and controversial “data” has
been used to close fisheries while this new data is available
and transparent.
Volunteer of the Year: 2008 Winner John Hotchin
This category recognises an individual’s contribution
to recreational fishing.John is a valued member of his community
with his volunteer work spanning more than 3 decades. John
has held a number of executive positions with Geelong Sport
and Game Fishing Club and has been awarded life membership.
He has also coordinated the Bay City Fishing Classic for many
years and has also been involved in the Geelong and District
Angling Clubs Association to help improve the recreational
fishing fraternity. John also sits on many committees for VRFish
and has assisted with many submissions to government. John
also volunteers his services to Geelong City Council to improve
recreational fishing for children and helps run the annual
Ron Nelson Junior Memorial Clinic for junior fishers.
Best project or initiative encouraging women &/or young
people’s participation in fishing: 2008 Winner Go Fishing
in Victoria Initiative
This category recognises a project or initiative that has contributed
to recreational fishing with a focus on women and young people’s
participation. The key aim of the Go Fishing in Victoria initiative
is to increase participation rates amongst women and children
by improving recreational fishing facilities, educating families
on where and how to fish and promoting a more family friendly
image of fishing. The past year has focused on the development
of areas hosting free family fishing festivals. The family
fishing clinics are a joint local undertaking and feature instructed
fishing workshops for children. Last year over 1,000 children
attended the festivals and 98% of those families indicated
they are more likely to go fishing again after attending. A
wide range of informative and fun products with a fishing focus
have been produced and distributed widely to communities to
encourage families to catch a new hobby.
Mal Ramsay Lifetime Achievement Award: 2008 Winner Frank Prokop
The ‘Mal’ Ramsay lifetime achievement award recognises
outstanding contribution by an individual Australian to the
development and/or administration of recreational fishing over
a substantial period of time. Recipients of the Award must
have set excellent examples for others involved in recreational
fishing administration and development. They will have demonstrated
a high level of dedication and made a substantial contribution
as did the namesake for this award. As a tribute to Mal, Recfish
Australia will confer this lifetime achievement award in recognition
of exceptional contributions in the field of recreational fishing
administration and development in Australia.
Frank has dedicated over 20 years of service to recreational
fisheries management and advocacy and is one of the most passionate
defenders of recreational fishing rights in Australia and is
committed to ensuring the interests of recreational fisheries
are considered in developing good fisheries research. This
year’s winner is passionate about promoting health benefits
of fishing and building youth participation. He is also committed
to building capacity within the recreational fishing industry
and planning for its future and has mentored many young people
within the sector. Frank has been a past president of Recfish
Australia and is a current director of FRDC.
Frank is pictured with Judith Ramsay, the wife of Mal Ramsay
who the "Mal Ramsay Lifetime Achievement Award" was
named after.
NSW CFA raise concerns about promotion of private access
The NSW CFA has raised concerns with NSW DPI about property
developers and owners of holiday accommodation and resorts
promoting supposed exclusive access to fishing in public waterways.
The NSW CFA is concerned that it will mislead investors and
tenants into refusing anglers legitimate access to public waters.
One recent example was full page advertisements in Sydney newspapers
for blocks of land at the Silver Brumby Riverside Country Estate
development on the Murrumbidgee River near Bredbo. The advertisement
states "All landholders on the estate have exclusive access
to the Murrumbidgee River".
However there is approximately 4 km of access via a public
road that follows the river on one side, and two other crown
roads that cross the estate to the river, which would give
the public legitimate access to the river where they could
fish under the provisions of Section 38 of the Fisheries Management
Act.
NSW DPI has undertaken to contact the property developer alerting
them to the rights of anglers and also will liaise with Department
of Lands to look at the issue more closely.
CFA Members are urged to look out for similar misleading claims
in advertisements for property sales and accommodation and
alert NSW DPI if the claims give the perception that investors
or tenants will have exclusive access.
Murray cod season opens on December 1
The size limit for a Murray cod will increase from 55cm to
60cm when the annual Murray Cod season starts on Monday 1
December.
Minister Ian Macdonald announced in November "This is
the second of two increases to the size limit of this species
announced in August last year, and will provide better protection
for immature fish and enhance their breeding opportunities" .
" Murray cod are a prized catch of freshwater anglers. Every
year a three-month closure on fishing for Murray cod, from
September to the end of November, protects this native species
during its breeding season."
Mr Macdonald said in recent years there had been some concern
regarding the impact of the drought on native fish stocks.
However, native fish such as Murray cod have evolved to handle
dry conditions over millions of years, and have an uncanny
knack of knowing when to move to remnant pools or larger weir
pools.
"
Fishers have actually reported consistently improving Murray
cod seasons during the past and the increase in the size limit
will ensure the fishery continues to improve," he said.
There is a daily bag limit of two Murray cod per person a day
and a total possession limit of four from either rivers or
dams. The minimum legal length of Murray cod is 60cm, but anglers
can keep only one fish of more than 100cm in length.
Live finfish including carp, and birds and mammals cannot be
used as bait. A similar species, the endangered trout cod,
is fully protected and anglers must release any trout cod they
catch.
Murray cod is one of Australia’s largest freshwater fish.
It grows up to 1.8 metres and can weigh more than 100 kilograms.
Murray cod are released in inland rivers and dams through the
State Government’s fish stocking program and the community’s
Dollar-for-Dollar program, funded through fishing licence fees
and community groups.
"
Last year a record number of 781,190 Murray cod fry and fingerlings,
bred at NSW DPI Narrandera hatchery, were released under the
program, and another 234,726 were stocked through the Dollar-for-Dollar
schemes," Mr Macdonald said.
Relief for Shoalhaven River
The New South Wales government has announced a three-year moratorium
on pumping water from the Shoalhaven River to augment Sydney's
water supply.
Water from the river has provided nearly 30 per cent of Sydney's
drinking water over the past five-and-a-half years but recent
improvements in dam levels in the region mean that the water
is not needed in the immediate future.
A statement from Premier Nathan Rees
on October 23 indicates the situation may have been worse: "The former premier
wouldn't let me say this, but I can say it now: we transfer
roughly half of our water supply each day up from the Shoalhaven
River in the south," he said. Since 2003 more than 810
billion litres of water has been transferred from the river
to Sydney’s water supply.
The pumping has caused environmental damage including natural
waterways in the Southern Highlands being used as high flow
canals, with the constant flood-like flows eroding streams.
There has also been increased salinity in the Shoalhaven due
to insufficient natural flushing of the river.
The expected completion of the desalination plant at Kurnell
by 2010 is one factor that has allowed the pumping to be suspended.
Major conservation organisations have been highly critical
of the desalination plant, but few have shown any interest
in the damage done to the Shoalhaven.
Boating safety checks at Trout Festival
A boating safety campaign timed to coincide with the Snowy
Mountains Trout Festival in November saw 129 vessels checked
for safety compliance, NSW Maritime Regional Manager South
Coast Craig Whitmore said.
Mr Whitmore said the majority of boaters were generally well
behaved and complied with maritime safety regulations.
“
NSW Maritime Boating Safety Officers conducted spot checks
on 129 vessels on the main lakes in the area,” Mr Whitmore
said.
“ In all, 63 vessels were checked in Lake Burrunjuck over the
three-day fishing festival, with 66 vessels checked in Lakes
Eucumbene and Jindabyne collectively.
“
The most common problem was not understanding the requirements
for navigation lighting at night – with four Victorian
skippers fined.
“ Additionally, there were two fines handed out to skippers who
failed to carry the correct number or correct type of lifejacket
required.”
Mr Whitmore said there were a high number of vessels which
did not have any emergency signalling device on board. In all,
seven formal warnings were given over the weekend.
“
NSW Maritime will work with Marine Safety Victoria to ensure
the message gets through to the boating community about the
need for the correct installation and use of navigation lights
when boating after dark,” he said.
NSW Maritime worked with Police and Fisheries to make boating
safety a key focus during the festival.
In conjunction with Police, 16 vessel skippers were randomly
breath-tested, all of which returned a negative result and
were under the 0.05 limit.
Community groups offered new weapon in war on carp
New carp cages, which have recently removed around seven tonnes
of breeding carp from the Murray River in just 10 weeks at
a single wetland, are now available to community groups, NRM
Boards and catchment managers throughout the Murray-Darling
Basin.
The Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) funded the development
of the cages as part of its Native Fish Strategy which aims
to return native fish populations to 60 per cent of pre-European
settlement numbers.
Researchers at the South Australian Research and Development
Institute (SARDI) have modified the cages to work with carp
in wetlands.
MDBC Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik AM said that together with
a range of other options being investigated under the Native
Fish Strategy, the cages will boost efforts to control carp
in the Murray.
“
These wetland carp cages and their new cousin, carp pushing
traps, are welcome refinements which can only enhance this
process,” Dr Craik said.
The modified SARDI wetland carp separation cages contain specialised
combination carp jump/push traps. These are being trialled
in a project funded by the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research
Centre, at the Kingston-on-Murray Banrock Station wetland in
SA’s Riverland, following its refilling in early June.
The cages are designed to exploit two unique behavioural traits
displayed by carp: jumping over and pushing under in-stream
obstacles.
SARDI Senior Research Officer, Dr Leigh Thwaites says researchers
hope that the traps will eventually be used to help control
carp throughout the Murray-Darling Basin. “We are now
identifying carp recruitment hotspots and the best locations
to exploit their behaviour, such as wetland outlets where they
are drawn to the wetland smells by the flowing water, to make
the traps as effective as possible,” Dr Thwaites said.
Groups interested in using the cages are urged to seek advice
from the Invasive Species team at SARDI Aquatic Sciences. Email
smith.ben2@saugov.sa.gov.au or Dr Leigh Thwaites at thwaites.leigh@saugov.sa.gov.au.
The designs for carp push traps are available on the SARDI
website, along with further information about carp separation
cages and SARDI’s work with invasive species – follow
this link to the Invasive Species Sub Program Home Page http://tinyurl.com/653umo.
NSW Marine Parks doomed to fail?
Dr. Philip Creagh, chairman of the Narooma Port Committee,
has called on the NSW Labor Government to immediately annul
the zoning arrangements in the six NSW marine parks, particularly
on the beaches and in the estuaries. As Dr. Creagh explained “this
follows the shocking revelations of a deliberate process of
misleading the people of NSW, by the NSW Labor Government and
the NSW Marine Parks Authority, that the marine environment
is being ‘protected’ in NSW. We also call for an
immediate independent review of all NSW marine parks by the
NSW Labor Government.”
The basis of Dr. Creagh's claims are outlined in an address
given by Professor Robert Kearney, Thursday, 30th October 2008
at the NSW Department of Fisheries in Cronulla, NSW.
Dr. Creagh continued "Professor Kearney has shown that
the Marine Parks Authority has used its powers to stop fishing
in large swathes of the six parks in NSW with absolutely no
scientific proof that current fishing practices have any detrimental
effect on either NSW fish stocks, or marine biodiversity. Throughout
his paper the theme details the real threats to the marine
environment as pollution, agricultural run-off and control
of sediment inflows. However he astonished the audience when
he revealed that the Marine Parks Authority claims that “Marine
Park zoning arrangements are not designed to address threats
such as pollution, disease, invasive species and climate change.
NSW marine parks are merely fisheries allocation tools ...
even after 15 years they show only marginal change, which cannot
be shown to be real benefits, let alone cost-effective ones.”
He went on “The Narooma Port Committee for a long time
has considered the zoning regulations, especially sanctuary
zones on beaches and in estuaries, as extremely biased with
no scientific merit and implemented by NSW Labor to appease
the NSW Greens in order to secure their support at the 2007
State Elections.
Professor Kearney was scathing in his assessment of the socio-economic
benefits of the Parks, when he stated that the Marine Parks
Authority does “not even consider the real costs to recreational
fishers, particularly the elderly, the young and the poor,
who are the groups most disadvantaged by the current zoning
arrangements … the obvious primary beneficiary of the
actions by the Marine Parks Authority is the marine parks industry.”
Professor Kearney finished his talk by claiming that it is
NOT science “to assume that a sanctuary zone is the same
as a protected area, to simply draw a line on the water and
call it a sanctuary zone does not empower the zone with magical
qualities” as the NSW Marine Parks Authority and their
scientists continuously claim.
Dr. Creagh concluded “The NSW Labor Government is wasting
tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer funds in an attempt
to hoodwink the NSW public into believing they are protecting
our Marine environment. Professor Kearney has capably demonstrated
the contempt and cynicism by the Marine Parks Authority and
why one million NSW fishers do not trust either the Government
or the NSW Marine Parks Authority. This deluding of the public
must cease and a first step would be rescinding all the zonings
in all of the six NSW marine parks.”
Seminars at the Cronulla Fisheries Research Centre
December 2008
4-Dec-08
Two 30 minute talks:
1. Immediate fate of angled-and-released Australian bass.
2. Managing with uncertainty: the large shark fishery in NSW.
Chris Dowling.
Dr William Macbeth.
NSW DPI.
11-Dec-08
Experimental ecology is necessary for the management of environmental
problems.
Prof. Tony Underwood University of Sydney.
Seminars are held Thursday afternoons at 4:00 pm in the main
conference room at the Cronulla Fisheries Research Centre,
202 Nicholson Pde, Cronulla. Talks will be about 45 minutes
and will be followed by light refreshments. Those interested
in joining the mailing list, giving a talk, or checking for
last-minute changes should contact the convenor, Matt Ives
(Phone: +61 2 95278521, Mobile: +61 424072890, Email: matthew.ives@dpi.nsw.gov.au).
The NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers
Ross Salvato’s, The World of Tackle, Interclub Meet 1st—3rd
May 2009
Now that the warmer weather has arrived and I guess if most
of you haven’t already done so you will be fishing shortly
so tight lines and bent rods. One party has already booked
their spot for next years Interclub Meet so I ask those that
intend to come to get you’re booking in early to get
the best accommodation as it is allocated on a first in best
served basis.
There will be the usual fly tying, casting and photo competitions
and the conditions for these are a separate attachment.
There have been some requests for the Meet to be held earlier
in the year to take advantage of the probability of better
fishing, Although it is too late to implement the change for
next year's Meet the second weekend in March appears to be
a possibility for future Meets (from year 2010), if you will
indicate to me if you would like a change of date or if you
prefer things to remain as they are please let me know so that
the appropriate action can be taken to implement your wishes.
I have also been considering the conditions for the Ross Salvato ‘Champion
Club’ trophy, as it stands at the present the club that
accrues the most points over the weekend gets the trophy but
the club with the most members attending has a decided advantage
numerically and I consider that maybe the representation should
be say a team of five with one reserve; in the event of the
clubs that may only have one or two members present these could
form a joint team amongst themselves called ‘The Rest’ or
similar. Some may consider that the club with the most attendees
is the best supported and that the advantage is justified.
I’m always on the lookout for donations for the Meet
so if you can access any possible prizes for the Meet they
will be most welcome; you or you employer/friend may have something
that they would like to contribute, it doesn’t have to
be fishing orientated as many of us have most of the fishing
tackle that we require already. The range can be from golf
balls to a new four wheel drive.
I also would like you to support the people that do donate
for the Meet their generousity is greatly appreciated.
John Humphries – Meet coordinator
84 The Broadwaters
Tascott 2250
morefish@bigpond.com
Ph. 02 4324 3495
Recreational Fishing Alliance AGM 2008
The Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW held its 2008 annual
general meeting on 22 November.
Malcolm Poole was elected President, Max Castle Vice President,
Stan Konstantaras Secretary, Paul Cooper Treasurer and Joe
Garufi Publicity Officer. The meeting also elected a committee
of Joe Garufi, Michael Hirst and Radge Diakiw.
NSW CFA delegates to the RFA are Radge Diakiw and Peter Gibson
with John Humphries as alternate delegate.
Reports were received on various RFA projects including the
NSW Future Leaders project planned for February 2009 (with
EOIs closing 5th December 2008), Safe Fishing DVDs, ethnic
media campaign and website updates and additions. Current issues
discussed included Gaden Trout Hatchery closure, Marine Parks,
National Parks, Botany Desalination Plant construction, Botany
Bay Port Expansion and Container Terminal construction and
angler/boat access problems, angler concerns about NSW DPI’s
shifting of core activity costs to the recreational fishing
trust funds, and funding of angler representation in NSW.
Minutes of the meeting will be available shortly on the RFA
website www.rfansw.com.au.
The RFA has recently revamped its membership pamphlet, which
will be available for download from the RFA and NSW CFA website.
RFA meetings in 2009 will be held on
Saturday, 31 January 2009
Saturday, 9 May 2009
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Saturday, 14 November 2009 (AGM)
Meeting start at 9.30 am and are usually held at South Sydney
AFA Clubrooms, cnr of Hastings and Macquarie Streets Chifley,
Sydney.
CFA members who have any issues they wish the RFA to adress
can do so through CFA delegates or directly with the RFA, using
contact details above.
Next meeting of the NSW CFA
The next quarterly meeting of the NSW CFA will be held in Region
1 (North Coast and Range). More details in the January edition.
Winner of October fly box
The October winner of the fly box donated by John Coles' Fly
Fishing to readers of Freshwater Fisher is Mr Paul Hardiman,
Higgins ACT 2615. Click on John's advertisement above to enter
and win!
General information
NSW CFA Calendar
2009 proposed locations:
February Region 1 North Coast and Range
May Region 4 ACT, Monaro, Snowy Mountains
August Region 2 Sydney and Central
November Region 5 Central West
2010 proposed locations:
February Region 6 South West
May Region 1 North Coast and Range
August Region 2 Sydney and Central
November Region 3 Southern Highlands and South Coast
2011 proposed locations:
February Region 1 North Coast and Range
May Region 4 ACT, Monaro, Snowy Mountains
August Region 2 Sydney and Central
November Region 5 Central West
Is your club a member of the Council of Freshwater Anglers?
The NSW CFA is the main umbrella group for freshwater fishing
organisations in NSW and enjoys a productive relationship with
the NSW Department of Primary Industries and other agencies
and recreational fishing organisations. We welcome all freshwater
fishing clubs as members and as visitors to our meetings. Member
organisations are able to send voting delegates to our quarterly
meetings. For information about joining the NSW CFA, visit
our website www.freshwateranglers.com.au or contact our Secretary,
Mr Radge Diakiwv at diakiwv@optushome.com.au or (02) 9449-3539.Council
of Freshwater Anglers Members
Anglers Action Group (Sydney Northside); The Barrington Club;
Bass Kempsey; Bass Sydney; Canberra Anglers’ Association;
Canberra Fisherman’s Club; Central Acclimatisation Society;
Council of Southern Districts Angling Clubs; Fly Fish Bathurst;
Greenwells Fly Fishing Club; Hawkesbury Nepean Bass Anglers’ Association;
Hunter Native Fish; Illawarra Fly Fishers; Lakeside Fly Fishing
Club; Mid North Coast Flyrodders; Monaro Acclimatisation Society;
New South Wales Rod Fishers’ Society; Orange Trout Acclimatisation
Society; Professional Fishing Instructors & Guides Association;
Red Rod Flyfishing Club; Scone Amateur Fishing Club; Southern
Bass Fishing Club; Sydney Fly Rodders; South West Anglers Association;
Sydney Coarse Anglers; Wingham Anglers.
Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW meetings 2009
Saturday, 31 January 2009, RFA quarterly meeting
Saturday, 9 May 2009, RFA quarterly meeting
Saturday, 8 August 2009, RFA quarterly meeting
Saturday, 14 November 2009, RFA annual general meeting
Meetings are usually held in Sydney--more details on the website
www.rfansw.com.au or contact the secretary via secretary@rfansw.com.au.Links
NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers Peak freshwater fishing body
in NSW www.freshwateranglers.com.au
Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW Peak recreational fishing
organisation in NSW www.rfansw.com.au
NSW Department of Primary Industries www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries
Fisherman's Watch Report all illegal activities Free call 1800
043 536
Recfish Peak national recreational fishing organisation www.recfish.com.auFree
e-letters worth subscribing to
Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW The Recreational Fishing
Alliance, a peak body formed to represent both fresh and saltwater
anglers in NSW, publishes a newsletter on projects, ongoing
consulting with the state’s anglers and its lobbying
of state and federal ministers on recreational fishing issues.
To subscribe send a request to publicity.officer@rfansw.com.au.
Cyprinus newsletter, focusing on carp and other pest species
in the Murray Darling system. To subscribe, email a request
to awells47@bigpond.net.au.
Feral Flyer from the Invasive Animals CRC. Email kerryn.molloy@invasiveanimals.com
to subscribe to Feral Flyer, the e-letter of the Invasive Animals
CRC.
Recfish. To get Communique, their newsletter aimed at recreational
anglers, email Rhonda Farlow, Office and Project Manager, Recfish
Australia, admin@recfish.com.au. To get on the list for Recfish’s
Recfishing Research e-letter, send an email addressed to infofish@zbcom.net
with "subscribe to Recfishing Research brief" as
the subject.
Flylife. Subscribe at www.flylife.com.au to join the Flylife
Online Forum, wide range of issues relating to recreational
angling.
Marine and Coastal Community Network. This is a national, non-government
program that facilitates community involvement in marine conservation
initiatives. It includes matters relevant to freshwater angling
and freshwater conservation. To subscribe use the online registration
form at: http://www.mccn.org.au/subscribe
Field & Game New Zealand. You can subscribe to some excellent
online bulletins published by Fish and Game New Zealand by
going to www.reellife.co.nz. Newsletters include Reel Life,
a general trout fishing newsletter loaded with fishing reports
and other information, Living Rivers, a bi-monthly email newsletter
with information about river conservation, and Both Barrels,
a newsletter with all the latest information for gamebird hunters
across New Zealand.
Newstreams from NSW Department of Primary Industries is an
excellent, free NSW DPI newsletter available to anyone interested
in fish habitat. To subscribe send a message to the editor,
Rebecca Lines-Kelly, at rebecca.lines-kelly@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
Murray Darling Basin Commission. General newsletter about the
MDBC’s activities including information on native fisheries.
To subscribe go to http://mdbc.gov.au/communications/s-scribe
Early Christmas present for Wimmera rec fishers
Fisheries Victoria is stocking Lake Fyans with approximately
2,000 trout today!
This early Christmas present is welcomed by VRFish and recreational
fishers of the
drought affected Wimmera region.
Fisheries Victoria have indicated they will be stocking 1,200
x 150g brown trout, 50-70 x
850g to 1kg brown trout and 600-800 x 200g rainbow trout.
VRFish expresses its gratitude to Grampians Wimmera Mallee
Water (GWMWater) and
Fisheries Victoria for supporting recreational fishers with
the stocking of Lake Fyans.
VRFish had several requests from recreational fishers from
the Western Victoria seeking
a trout stocking in local waters that had not been stocked
due to low water levels.
VRFish Chairman, Geoff Cramer said, “the requested stocking
is not without some risk
due to the continuing severe drought but should at least provide
local recreational fishers
with some opportunities to catch a trout”.
“
It’s great to see the government supporting the local
communities which are all suffering
due to the drought. This is a very positive outcome for recreational
fishers”.
Lake Fyans is currently holding approximately 5,000 ML. GWMWater
has informed
VRFish that they expect to hold a good level of water over
the summer months.
Rob Loats, VRFish Board Member and President of the Wimmera
Anglers Association,
who is assisting Fisheries Victoria with the release, said “this
is a prime example of the
necessity of retaining a peak body to promote issues to enhance
recreational fishing in
regional Victoria”.
Fisheries Victoria has indicated that they are still investigating
VRFish’s request for fish
stockings at Tullaroop and Carin Curran Reservoirs.
Media Contact: Christopher Collins 03 9686 7077 or 0409 104
710
Please forward this letter to as many of
your fishing friends as possible.
Update on proposed closure
of Gaden Trout Hatchery
Despite what you may have heard the NSW government has NOT
reversed its decision to close Gaden Trout
Hatchery. Several media organisations reported that ‘the
decision to close the hatchery was reversed’ and
‘
backflip: hatchery to remain open’. Unfortunately this
is not correct and the most that the Minister for
Primary Industries has offered is to ‘delay the process’ of
closing the Gaden Hatchery in Jindabyne, following
discussions with the NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers and
key stakeholders’.
Anglers must keep up the pressure on the government to keep
the hatchery open! Please write or email the
Premier and the Minister before 15 December and ask them to
keep Gaden open.
What has happened so far:
• The NSW government announced in its Mini-budget of 11 Nov 2008
cost-cutting including
“ Consolidation of excess offices and research stations over
the next three years at Alstonville, Berry,
Condobolin, Glen Innes, Gosford, Griffith, Temora, and Jindabyne
Hatchery.”
• On 12 November Hon Ian Macdonald, Minister for Primary Industries
announced in a media release
“
Eight facilities that are no longer needed by the Department
will be closed,” he said. “These facilities
are at Alstonville, Berry, Condobolin, Glen Innes, Gosford,
Griffith, Jindabyne Hatchery and Temora.”
• Numerous fishing organisations, business owners and individual
anglers have used letters, emails,
petitions and meetings with local MPs to lobby the Minister
and other people in the NSW government
to keep the hatchery open.
• A public rally was held at Jindabyne on 16 December, organised
by the NSW Council of Freshwater
Anglers (NSW CFA) and local Labor MP Steve Whan, who has campaigned
against the closure. The
rally was attended by approximately 250 anglers, local business
people and representatives of the
Nationals and Liberal Party.
• The issue has received coverage in metropolitan and regional
TV, radio and newspapers.
• Questions were asked in State Parliament by The Shooters Party,
the Nationals and Liberals.
• Representatives of the NSW CFA were invited to a meeting with
the Minister on 21 November 2008.
The meeting was also attended by Steve Whan, Labor Member for
Eden-Monaro, and Robert Brown
MLC of The Shooters Party. The Minister agreed to delay a decision
until a further meeting with the
NSW CFA, planned for around 15 December, and asked the NSW
CFA to make a submission on
options and alternative strategies that might achieve the savings
required without jeopardising the
2
long term operation of the hatchery. At that meeting we discovered
that the operating cost that the
government wishes to save is only $417,000 per year.
• NSW CFA President made a formal request to the Recreational
Freshwater Fishing Trust Expenditure
Committee (RFFTEC) on Monday 24 November 2008 for the required
funds.
• RFFTEC met on Wednesday 26 November 2008 and agreed to the
NSW CFA request. RFFTEC did note
that some adjustments may have to be made to other trout related
programs to satisfy the request.
The NSW CFA believes this to be acceptable. This agreement
now needs to be ratified by the Advisory
Council on Recreational Fishing (ACoRF). ACoRF is expected
to meet on Thursday 11 December 2008.
What the NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers is doing:
• The Council is preparing a submission with a number of options
to be sent to the Minister prior to the
15 December meeting. That submission is based on the numerous
responses received from our own
member organisations and from other clubs, associations and
individual anglers and actions taken by
the NSW CFA to date.
• The submission is likely to include the recommendations that
the government should not close Gaden
Trout Hatchery but should appropriate other departmental funds
and work with anglers to review
management practices and ensure the hatchery’s long term
sustainable operation; that $417,000
from the Recreational Freshwater Fishing Trust should be used,
subject to certain conditions, to meet
recurrent costs at the hatchery; that those conditions include
an agreement with anglers to ensure
the long term future of the hatchery, formation of an advisory
group with adequate angler
representation and a moratorium on further closures or cutbacks
to DPI hatchery operations without
consultation with RFFTEC.
Other issues that have been raised with us:
• Many anglers have suggested increasing the angler fee or imposing
an additional trout fishing fee.
We have not included any recommendation that angling licence
fees be raised. We do think an
increase is appropriate, but that matter requires wider consultation
with all angling groups including
saltwater anglers, and we will be strongly recommending to
RFFTEC and ACoRF that fees be reviewed
as soon as possible.
• We have considered a number of other viewpoints, including
that the proposal is a ploy to make the
local Labor member look good, and that the closure is a conspiracy
between the Government and the
Greens. We don’t place any store in those theories and
consider them a distraction from the main
issues that need arguing.
• Many view points have expressed the notion that the Department
of Primary Industries made the
unsolicited recommendation to the Minister (to close Gaden)
knowing that anglers would use licence
funds to keep it open. While we make no call on this theory
at present, should it turn out to be true it
would be a significant breech of good will between anglers
and the Department.
• We have considered the widely expressed view that anglers are
being blackmailed, ie that the
government knows that anglers will cave in and agree that Recreational
Freshwater Fishing Trust
funds, which come from angler licences, be used to bail out
what should be a core activity of the NSW
DPI. This is a view that we have a lot of sympathy with, but
we feel we cannot afford to risk the
hatchery by ‘calling the government’s bluff’ as
some have urged us to do, by refusing to allow the use
of funds. We understand that the Recreational Freshwater Fishing
Trust may need to adjust its annual
expenditure on other trout related activities to meet the cost
of running the hatchery and we will be
3
expecting significant compromises and undertakings from the
government on other fronts in return
for allowing those funds to be used. If Trust funds are used
in this manner saltwater or native fish
expenditure will not be compromised.
•
We continue to seek comments by anglers on these issues—they
can be emailed to NSW Council of
Freshwater Anglers President Steve Samuels at steve_samuels@bigpond.com.
• We recognise that some anglers may have differing views and
we hope they will express them directly
to the Minister.
What you can do BEFORE 15 DECEMBER:
The outcry against the proposed closure has been enormous,
but anglers must put immediate and intense
pressure on the State Government to reverse the decision. PLEASE
take some time and contact as many
people as you can, by post, email or phone, and make your views
clear.
At the very least you should contact the Premier Nathan Rees,
the Minister for Primary Industries Ian
Macdonald and your local Member of Parliament. Keep your letters
clear, polite and to the point.
Key issues to raise are: the necessity of trout stocking in
NSW; the importance of hatcheries being managed to
ensure ongoing availability of fish stocks for public angling;
the role of trout fishing in the Snowy Mountains
economy, (estimated in 2001 by Dominion Consulting as $70 million
per annum); the contribution made by
recreational anglers, clubs and acclimatisation societies over
the past 100 years, volunteering time and effort
and contributing the financial support that made Gaden Trout
Hatchery possible in the first place; the lack of
any other hatchery operation in the State capable of producing
significant amounts of disease free stock for
the Snowy Mountains region. When writing please request a reply
to the questions you have asked.
The Hon Nathan Rees (ALP)
Premier of NSW
GPO Box 5341
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Phone (02) 9228 5239
Email thepremier@www.nsw.gov.au
The Hon Ian Macdonald (ALP)
Minister for Primary Industries
Level 33 Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place
Sydney NSW 2000
Phone (02) 9228 3344
Email macdonald.office@macdonald.minister.nsw.gov.au
Remember to send this letter on to other anglers and ask them
to do the same.
NATIONALS SIDE
WITH GREENS TO LEAVE VICTORIA’S
FISHERS
OUT AT SEA
The unholy alliance between the Nationals and the Greens has
robbed Victorian anglers from
having a say in their future after the two parties gutted the
Brumby Government’s Fisheries
Consultative Arrangements in the Legislative Council this week.
Agriculture Minister Joe Helper said under current legislation
there was just three legislative
peak bodies – Victorian National Parks Association, VRFish
and Seafood Industry of Victoria –
consulting the Government on fisheries issues.
“ The new legislation would have removed that situation and moved
to a more open broad-based
consultative arrangement including those three organisations,” Mr
Helper said.
“ While we are trying to broaden consultation to include more
people and more groups to have
their say on how our fisheries are managed, the Liberal/Nationals
Opposition in partnership with
the Greens have ignored them.
“
The losers from this are Victoria’s 550,000 recreational
fishers who have been left all at sea by
an Opposition who stand for nothing while carping about everything.
“
The Coalition admitted that fishing groups have been urging
them to support the government’s
legislation to open up fisheries consultations to more anglers
but their views are being ignored.”
Shadow Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh – Hansard – November
11
Three organisations in particular -- the Australian Fishing
Trade Association, the Australian Trout
Foundation and Futurefish Foundation -- have sent press releases
they have put out in the last 24
hours saying they support the government's changes and believe
they are good,
Australian Fishing Trade Association – Media Release
- November 20
Strangely the opposition has taken the high road to negate
these changes without canvassing the
issue with stakeholders and leaves one to guess that they deem
how unimportant it is to those
who have embraced change as the way forward. Sadly those in
Opposition within Government
circles have not researched their comments and opposition to
the bill; it makes a mockery of
modern thinking in the state of Victoria.
Futurefish Foundation– Media Release - November 10
A long awaited review of Victorian fisheries consultative arrangements
is finally coming to fruition
with proposed changes to legislation that will vastly improve
the way the State Government
consults with recreational fishers in Victoria…. Futurefish
Foundation is more than pleased with
the Government’s management of recreational fishing in
Victoria and congratulates the
Government for delivering on its 2006 election policies for
recreational fishing.
Mr Helper said despite this the Opposition and Greens found
it fit to ignore a proposed wideranging
consultation process.
Please read
this important news item
Dear Fellow Anglers,
Do you, will you, or would you one day like to, fish for trout
at Lake Fergus?
The letter below posted out 4 weeks ago to selected politicians
with very little support from those that received it
We ask that you please take time to read the letter and make
your views known to those in the list below.
Regards
Phil Blizzard and John Scatchard
We like many other residents of Tasmania enjoy the luxury of
having one of the world’s best trout fishing experiences
on our back door. We have fished for trout for over 30 years
in our magnificent lakes, our gin clear rivers and have enjoyed
the experience of walking the interior of the western lakes
to savior the pristine environment.
Unfortunately, this experience was shattered for my walking
companions and myself, during a walk into Lake Fergus in early
October 2008. On arrival at the lake (which has been an annual
pilgrimage for us for a number of years), we were dismayed
to come across the following:
? Boat launching facilities leading into the lake
? 5 building structures to be used as toilet facilities
? BBQ facilities
? Helicopter landing pad
? Leveled out camping sites
? And sadly the entire south eastern fringe of the lake had
been burnt off
The burnt fringe has had detrimental effect on a once thriving
frog population. In three days of fishing, we did not hear
one frog croaking, where as in previous years, the chorus of
frogs was deafening and sadly, we did not sight a single frog
in the water. We believe this burn off will take several years
if ever to regenerate.
The lack of frogs in and around this lake will have a huge
impact on the trout’s feeding patterns at this time of
year, as frogs are one of the main diets of the fish. This
was evident, with not a single fish landed having frogs in
their stomach contents.
The land now owned by this landowner was once a traditional
pathway to Lake Fergus, but now has become a restricted pathway
with signs and locked gates. From our investigations, we believe
that no planning approvals were sought (by landowner) or granted
(by appropriate authorities) to this landowner to proceed with
the development to this area.
The question we put to the fishing fraternity is;
What gives this landowner the right to decimate a unique public
water such as Lake Fergus?
What is his hidden agenda, maybe a 5 star resort for the rich
and famous, which boasts a private lake with the sole use of
boating facilities and vehicle access to a privileged few.?
Is this to become another quality lake lost to development
and bureaucratic bungling?
Even though this area is not in a large percentage of our electorates
we ask, PLEASE take some time and contact as many people as
you can, by post, email or phone, and make your views clear.
When writing your letters...
•
Write to as many people as possible.
•
Keep your letters clear, polite and to the point.
•
Address to each person individually (i.e. not a photocopied
letter or group email)
•
The portfolios of politicians are noted below—make points
that are relevant to their particular portfolios.
•
Also write to your local Tas Member of Parliament. If that
person is not listed below, find their contact details on the
Tasmanian Parliament website, http://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/
•
Do not send attachments with emails—put your message
directly into the body of the email.
•
Numerous individual letters will be more influential than petitions.
Key issues to raise are:
•
The importance of Lake Fergus to Tasmanian Anglers
•
The importance of this water being managed by government (IFS)
and anglers who have a desire for equitable and ongoing availability
for public angling.
•
The pivotal role of trout fishing to Tasmania’s economy,
including jobs based on
angling tourists
•
The extraordinary contribution made by recreational anglers,
clubs and acclimatisation
societies over the past 100 years, volunteering time and effort
and contributing the financial
support that has made Tasmania a leading trout water in the
world
•
The importance of the continued frog population as a source
of food for the trout
•
The lack of easy walking public access
•
The lack of angler access for boating on this lake
Please contact as many other people on the list as possible.
And remember to send this letter on to
other anglers and ask them to do the same.
People to write to, email or call
Bartlett, The Honourable David John,
B.Sc,G.Dip.Bus.
Premier
10th Floor, Executive Building,
15 Murray Street, Hobart, 7000
(03) 6233 8807
david.bartlett@parliament.tas.gov.au
Hodgman, The Honourable William Edward
Felix (Will), LLB, BA
Leader of the Opposition
House of Assembly, Parliament House,
Hobart, 7000
(03) 6233 2634
will.hodgman@parliament.tas.gov.au
McKim, Nicholas James (Nick),
Leader of the Tasmanian Green
House of Assembly, Parliament House,
Hobart, 7000.
(03) 6233 8300
nick.mckim@parliament.tas.gov.au
Napier, The Honourable Suzanne Deidre (Sue),
MA (Leeds), BA (Hons), Dip PE
Leader of Opposition Business in House of
Assembly
4th Floor, Henty House,
1 Civic Square, Launceston, 7250.
(03) 6336 2427
sue.napier@parliament.tas.gov.au
O’Byrne, Michelle Anne, BA
Minister for Environment, Parks, Heritage and
the Arts
Minister for Tourism.
Minister for Sport and Recreation
Ground Floor
Public Building,
53 St John Street, Launceston, 7250.
(03) 6336 2685
michelle.o'byrne@parliament.tas.gov.au
O’Connor, Cassandra Stanwell (Cassy)
House of Assembly, Parliament House,
Hobart, 7000.
(03) 6233 8300
cassy.o’connor@parliament.tas.gov.au
Rockliff, Jeremy Page,
Dip Farm Mgmt
Deputy Leader of the Opposition
47B Best Street, Devonport, 7310
(03) 6421 7930
jeremy.rockliff@parliament.tas.gov.au
Sturges, Graeme Lindsay,
Minister for Infrastructure
House of Assembly, Parliament House,
Hobart, 7000.
(03) 6233 2377
graeme.sturges@parliament.tas.gov.au
Whiteley, Brett David,
Opposition Whip
1st Floor, 51 Wilmot Street, Burnie, 7320
(03) 6434 6357
brett.whiteley@parliament.tas.gov.au
Booth, Kim Dion,
Level 1, 162 Macquarie Street
Hobart, 7000.
(03) 6233 8300
kim.booth@parliament.tas.gov.au
Cox, The Honourable James Glennister,
Minister for Police and Emergency Management
Minister for Local Government.
2nd Floor, State Offices Building
10 Murray Street, Hobart, 7000
(03) 6336 2250
jim.cox@parliament.tas.gov.au
Aird, The Honourable Michael Anthony
Treasurer
Minister for Economic Development
Minister for Racing
Level 9
15 Murray Street.
Hobart 7000
(03) 6233 2229
michael.aird@parliament.tas.gov.au
Giddings, The Honourable Larissa Tahireh,
(Lara),
Deputy Premier
Attorney-General
Minister for Justice
Minister for Health
10th Floor, State Offices Building,
10 Murray Street, Hobart, 7000.
(03) 6233 6752
lara.giddings@parliament.tas.gov.au
Green, Bryan Alexander
Parliamentary Offices, 80B Wilson Street,
Burnie, 7320.
(03) 6434 6252
bryan.green@parliament.tas.gov.au
Kons, Steven, LLB
Parliamentary Offices, 64 Wilson Street,
Burnie, 7320.
(03) 6434 6307
steve.kons@parliament.tas.gov.au
Hidding, Marinus Theodoor (Rene),
17A Marlborough Street,
Longford, 7301.
(03) 6397 7411
rene.hidding@parliament.tas.gov.au
Finch, The Honourable Kerry
Third Deputy Chair of Committees
One Civic Square
Launceston 7250
(03) 6336 2201
kerry.finch@parliament.tas.gov.au
Ritchie, The Honourable Allison Maree
Minister for Planning and Workplace Relation
5th Floor
15 Murray Street
HOBART 7000
(03) 6216 4409
allison.ritchie@parliament.tas.gov.au
Thorp, Ms Lin Estelle
BA, Dip. Ed., Grad. Dip. Spec. Ed.
Minister for Human Services
Deputy Leader of the Government
8th Floor
10 Murray Street
HOBART 7000
(03) 6233 8309
lin.thorp@parliament.tas.gov.a
Wilkinson, The Honourable James Scott
Parliament House
Hobart 7000
(03) 6233 2980
jim.wilkinson@parliament.tas.gov.au
Ritchie, The Honourable Allison Maree
Minister for Planning and Workplace Relatio
5th Floor
15 Murray Street
HOBART 7000
(03) 6216 4409
allison.ritchie@parliament.tas.gov.au
FROM THE OFFICE OF
VRFISH – VICTORIA’S
RECREATIONAL FISHING PEAK BODY
Ramping towards a solution
VRFish facilitated a forum to address possible solutions to
current inadequacies of Victoria’s
boat ramps.
An opening address by The Honourable Tim Pallas, Minister for
Roads and Ports, highlighted
the need for good boat ramps to make it easier for families
to “throw in a line”.
As part of his opening address, Minister Pallas advised that
the Brumby Government has
committed an additional $2 million improving boating amenities
around Port Phillip and
Western Port.
This $2 million commitment is over and above the annual $5
million allocation through the
Boating Safety and Facilities Program.
Key speakers included John Stav, Managing Director - JV Marine,
John Haber, Managing
Director - Haines Hunter and Bob Vasilijevic, President - Kororoit
Creek Angling Club.
Some of the key issues facing recreational boaters included:
• long queues
• lack of parking
• poor management
• ramp rage
• urgent need for new infrastructure
Chris Hardman, Manager of Operations Division for the Bays & Maritime
- Parks Victoria,
presented a proposal that it will be making to Government to
improve boat infrastructure around
Port Phillip and Western Port, including key locations such
as Patterson River, Portarlington,
Mornington, San Remo and Queenscliff.
VRFish Executive Officer, Christopher Collins, said “I
am extremely pleased with the input
gained from the forum. We see this as a first step toward making
improvements to Victoria’s
boat ramps”.
“ The Brumby Government has demonstrated that it is willing to
listen and is hearing the
concerns and frustrations that recreational boaters have just
to enjoy a day’s fishing”.
VRFish will publish the outcomes from the 19 November 2008
VRFish Boat Ramp Forum on its
website in the near future.
Media Contact: Christopher Collins 9686 7077 or 0409 104 710
Photos available on request
Here is a very important news item sent from
my good Freind Craig Owen
Do you, will you, or would you one day like
to, fish for trout?
Please read this email letter we received from the NSW Council
of Freshwater Anglers.
Please make your views known to those in the list below.
Regards
Tom
Closure of Gaden Trout Hatchery - Jindabyne
A century of trout stocking poured down the drain for a short
term gain.
Fellow anglers,
The NSW government has announced in its Mini-budget of 11 November
2008 cost-cutting
measures including "Consolidation of excess offices and
research stations over the next three years
at Alstonville, Berry, Condobolin, Glen Innes, Gosford, Griffith,
Temora, and Jindabyne Hatchery."
On 12 November Hon Ian Macdonald, Minister for Primary Industries
announced in a media release
"
Eight facilities that are no longer needed by the Department
will be closed," he said. "These facilities
are at Alstonville, Berry, Condobolin, Glen Innes, Gosford,
Griffith, Jindabyne Hatchery and Temora."
So, the primary trout hatchery in NSW, with its irreplaceable
stock of disease free trout and salmon,
is 'no longer needed'!
The importance of Gaden Trout Hatchery to our trout fishery
in NSW hardly needs explaining to
fellow anglers, but it appears that the State government doesn't
understand it at all, and is prepared
to shut or flog off the most important trout fishery asset
built in NSW in the last 120 years of trout
fishing.
The only way to stop this happening is to put immediate and
intense pressure on the State
government to stop the sale or closure. If you have any interest
at all in the future of trout fishing as
a pastime, or in the future of the economies of many regional
centres in NSW that depend on fishing
based tourism, PLEASE take some time and contact as many people
as you can, by post, email or
phone, and make your views clear.
You should contact members of the NSW Labor government, asking
them to reverse this decision;
you should ask members of the NSW opposition parties for support
on this issue; you should contact
local government mayors and councillors and express your concern
that closure of Gaden Trout
Hatchery will affect local economies; and you should raise
the issue in local newspapers.
When writing your letters...
• Write to as many people as possible.
• Keep your letters clear, polite and to the point.
• Address to each person individually (ie not a photocopied letter
or group email)
•
The portfolios of politicians are noted below—make points
that are relevant to their
particular portfolios.
• Also write to your local NSW Member of Parliament. If that
person is not listed below, find
their contact details on the NSW Parliament website, www.parliament.nsw.gov.au.
•
Do not send attachments with emails—put your message
directly into the body of the email.
• Numerous individual letters will be more influential than petitions.
Key issues to raise are:
•
The importance of trout stocking in NSW—hatcheries have
been needed for over a century
to sustain the recreational trout fishery in streams and impoundments.
• The importance of hatcheries being managed by government and
anglers who have a desire
for equitable and ongoing availability of fish stocks for public
angling.
• The pivotal role of trout fishing in the Snowy Mountains economy,
including jobs based on
angling tourists (estimated in 2001 by Dominion Consulting
as $70 million per annum)
• The extraordinary contribution made by recreational anglers,
clubs and acclimatisation
societies over the past 100 years, volunteering time and effort
and contributing the financial
support that made Gaden Trout Hatchery possible in the first
place.
• The State government's ongoing dependence on acclimatisation
societies to distribute fish
from the Gaden Trout Hatchery.
• The unique importance of the disease-free trout, brook trout
and Atlantic salmon stock held
at Gaden.
• The lack of any other hatchery operation in the State capable
of producing significant
amounts of disease free stock.
• The waste of over 50 years of investment in this valuable asset
if it is sold to the private
sector for short term financial gain.
Who to contact
An extensive list of suggested contacts follows. At the very
least, please send letters to Premier
Nathan Rees and Hon Steve Whan (Member for Monaro). Contact
details are on the next page. Also
please send a copy of your letters to Hon Secretary, NSW CFA,
GPO Box 84, Sydney 2001, or if
sending email messages, cc to the NSW CFA Hon Secretary Vladimir
Diakiw,
diakiwv@optusnet.com.au.
Please contact as many other people on the list as possible.
And remember to send this letter on to
other anglers and ask them to do the same.
People to write to, email or call
NSW government
The Hon Nathan Rees (ALP)
Premier of NSW
GPO Box 5341
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Phone (02) 9228 5239
Email thepremier@www.nsw.gov.au
The Hon Steve Whan (ALP)
Member for Monaro
110-112 Monaro Street
QUEANBEYAN NSW 2620
Phone (02) 6299 4899
Email Monaro@parliament.nsw.gov.au
The Hon Ian Macdonald (ALP)
Minister for Primary Industries
Level 33 Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place
Sydney NSW 2000
Phone (02) 9228 3344
Email
macdonald.office@macdonald.minister.nsw.gov.au
The Hon Jodi McKay (ALP)
Minister for Tourism
Minister for Small Business
Level 37 Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place
SYDNEY 2000
Phone (02) 9228 5668
Email Newcastle@parliament.nsw.gov.au
The Hon Phillip Costa (ALP)
Minister for Rural Affairs
Minister for Regional Development
Level 34 Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place
SYDNEY 2000
Phone (02) 9228 5055
Email office@costa.minister.nsw.gov.au
The Hon Kevin Greene (ALP)
Minister for Sport and Recreation
Level 36 Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone(02) 9228 5331
Email office@greene.minister.nsw.gov.au
NSW opposition and other parties
Mr Andrew Fraser (Nationals)
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries
1/9 Park Avenue,
COFFS HARBOUR NSW 2450
Phone (02) 6652 6500
Email coffsharbour@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Mr Barry O'Farrell (Liberals)
Leader of the Opposition
Parliament House
Macquarie Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone (02) 9230 2270
Email LOP@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Mr Andrew Stoner (Nationals)
Leader of The Nationals
Parliament House
Macquarie Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone (02) 9230 2281
Email oxley@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Mr Adrian Piccoli (Nationals)
Shadow Minister for Regional Development
NSW Government Offices
104-110 Banna Avenue,
GRIFFITH NSW 2680
Phone (02) 6962 6644
Email Murrumbidgee@parliament.nsw.gov.au
The Hon. Duncan Gay (Nationals)
Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative
Council
Parliament House
Macquarie Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Phone (02) 9230 2329
Email duncan.gay@parliament.nsw.gov.au
The Hon George Souris (Nationals)
Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation
98 Bridge Street,
MUSWELLBROOK NSW 2333
Phone (02) 6543 1065
Email upperhunter@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Mr Donald Page (Nationals)
Shadow Minister for Tourism
Shop 1, 7 Moon Street,
BALLINA NSW 2478
Phone (02) 6686 7522
Email ballina@parliament.nsw.gov.au
The Hon. Robert Brown (The Shooters Party)
Member of the Legislative Council
Parliament House
Macquarie Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Phone (02) 9230 3059
Fax (02) 9230 2613
Email Robert.brown@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Local government
Mr John Cahill
Mayor, Snowy River Shire Council
2 Myack Street, Berridale
Telephone: (02) 6451 1195
Email records@snowyriver.nsw.gov.au
Other Snowy River Shire councillors to write to
at same address:
Deputy Mayor Councillor Neen Pendergast
Councillor Peter Beer
Councillor Bob Frost
Councillor Tony Hayes
Councillor Jan Leckström
Councillor Kris Laird
Councillor John Shumack
Councillor Bill Smits
Mr Vin Good
Mayor, Cooma-Monaro Shire Council
81 Commissioner Street
Cooma 2630
Telephone: (02) 6450 1777
Email: council@cooma.nsw.gov.au
Other Cooma-Monaro Shire councillors to
write to at same address:
Martin Hughes -Councillor
Tony Kaltoum -Councillor
Jenny Lawlis -Councillor
Dean Lynch -Councillor
Stephanie McDonald -Councillor
Roger Norton -Councillor
Jack Nott -Councillor
Winston Phillips -Councillor
Federal government Letters to the editor
Although the Federal government has no direct say in Mr Martyn
Pearce
the way recreational fishing is run in NSW, you can still Editor,
Cooma-Monaro Express
express your dissatisfaction about the NSW Labor 51-55 Massie
Street
government's closure of Gaden Trout Hatchery to: Cooma NSW
2630
Email editor.cmexpress@ruralpress.com
The Hon Dr Mike Kelly AM, MP (ALP)
Federal Member for Eden Monaro Ms Gail Eastaway
PO Box 6022 Editor, Monaro Post
House of Representatives 220-226 Sharp Street
Parliament House Cooma, NSW, 2630
Canberra ACT 2600 Email info@monaropost.com.au
Email mike.kelly.mp@aph.gov.au
Letters to the Editor
The Hon Tony Burke MP (ALP) Daily Telegraph
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry PO Box 2808
PO Box 6022 Sydney, NSW 2001
House of Representatives Email yoursay@dailytelegraph.com.au
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600 Letters to the Editor
Email tony.burke.mp@aph.gov.au Sydney Morning Herald
GPO Box 3771
Sydney 2001
Email letters@smh.com.au
Letters to the Editor
Canberra Times
9 Pirie Street
Fyshwick ACT 2609
Email letters.editor@canberratimes.com.au
A short history of Gaden Trout Hatchery
Early hatcheries in the Snowy Mountains
The New South Wales Rod Fishers' Society was involved in the
construction of the first hatchery in the Snowy
Mountains at the old Kosciusko Hotel on Diggers Creek in 1907.
In 1924 that hatchery was dismantled and re-
erected near the site of The Creel guest house. This hatchery
became a joint operation of the Society, the
Fisheries Department and the NSW Tourist Bureau. It was closed
in 1941 because of the war and later the
equipment, along with that from the Caldwell Hatchery on the
Maclaughlin River, was used to construct the
Gaden Trout Hatchery on the Thredbo River at Jindabyne.
There was also a very early hatchery at Cooma, built around
1929 by local enthusiasts of the Cooma
Fishermen's Club. The hatchery equipment and building was moved
to the Caldwell Hatchery on the
Maclaughlin River in 1939 by members of the recently formed
Monaro Acclimatisation Society and much of
the same equipment was later used to build the Gaden Trout
Hatchery on the Thredbo.
The Gaden Trout Hatchery
After the end of the War, the Monaro Acclimatisation Society
reviewed the operation of the Caldwell Hatchery
and realised that the water supply at the hatchery site was
inadequate.
In May 1948 an inspection of a site on the Thredbo River at
Paddys Corner owned by Mr Bill Napthali was
carried out by representatives from Fisheries Branch, the Department
of Public Works, the Monaro
Acclimatisation Society and the Shire Council. Work commenced
shortly afterwards—the old Creel Hatchery
building was erected on site to provide temporary accommodation
for the hatchery supervisor, Mr Reuben
Payten, who started work with the assistance of volunteers
from the Monaro Acclimatisation Society.
The Caldwell and Tumut Hatcheries ceased operations after the
1950 season and their buildings were
dismantled and transported to the new Thredbo Hatchery and
re-erected. Much of the equipment from the
three older hatcheries was recycled.
The official opening occurred on 31 October 1953, although
work was not complete. The new complex was
named the Gaden Trout Hatchery after Mr Jim Gaden, one of the
pioneers in trout acclimatisation in the area.
By 1956-57 Gaden Trout Hatchery as well as Burraga Hatchery
and LP Dutton Hatchery at Ebor were
completed but production of ova from brood fish was inadequate—some
500,000 being obtained which was
supplemented by about 800,000 ova imported by the acclimatisation
societies which were encountering some
financial difficulties in meeting costs.
Therefore during 1957–58, discussions started between
the acclimatisation societies and the NSW
Government about management of the three main hatcheries being
passed to the Fisheries Department. On 1
January 1959, on the recommendation of the Trout Advisory Council
following a request from the three major
acclimatisation societies, Gaden Trout Hatchery, LP Dutton
Hatchery and Burraga Hatchery came under the
control of the Fisheries Branch, Chief Secretary's Department
with supervisors being appointed to each
hatchery. In 1960–61 Burraga Hatchery was closed and
its equipment relocated to Gaden.
Over the past 50 years the Gaden Trout Hatchery has been run
by a dedicated succession of managers and
staff, supported by members of the acclimatisation societies
and other fishing clubs. The facilities have been
continually improved, indeed in the last couple of years approximately
$240,000 of anglers' fishing licence
trust fund money has been poured into the facility to build
a new hatching shed.
The Alpine Angler
Snowy Mountains Highway
Cooma West
NSW
2630
Australia
Ph: 02-6452-5538
Fx: 02-6452-5539
email: info@alpineangler.com.au
http://www.alpineangler.com.au
