Talk about dhufish and pink snapper biology.



http://conservationwa.asn.au/component/option,com_events/task,view_detail/agid,144/year,2008/month,06/day,25/Itemid,1/

Minister announces demersal recreational fishing rules.

Minister's Media Statement http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/pub/WestCoastDemersal/Media%20-%20Final%20rec%20fish%20changes.pdf

Fisheries Management Paper 231 - A Strategy For Managing The Recreational Catch Of Demersal Scalefish In The West Coast Bioregion - Decisions By The Minister For Fisheries (June 2008) http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/mp/mp231/fmp231.pdf

Fisheries Research Report 177 - A 12-month survey of recreational boat-based fishing between Augusta and Kalbarri on the West Coast of Western Australia during 2005-06 (June 2008) http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/frr/frr177/frr177.pdf

Recfishwest Media Statement:- http://www.recfishwest.org.au/MediaStateWestCoastRec2008.htm

Recreational fishing rules in the West Coast Bioregion:

Edit Corrected 4 to "fifth" 

OK, here's my web form enquiry to the Department of Fisheries:

In regards to the minister's recent ratification of changes to fishing legislation - specifically bagging, limits and and labelling:

If two or more anglers, on a boat, are sharing a common retained catch storage device (Esky/Kill Tank), are there any circumstances where, in observance of the new legislation, the fish need to be separately labelled if they are not separately bagged within that common storage device?

Where one angler has caught his/her bag/species/category limit?

Where more than one angler has caught his/her bag/species/category limit?

Where all anglers have caught their bag/species/category limit?

Any other circumstances?

Assume please that for the purpose of reply, that it a day trip without extension or overnight stay.

Given that labelling IS necessary, then that would mean the skipper is deemed to be in possession of the unlabelled, singularly contained (and not bagged) overall catch.Therefore, given at least one limit caught - any above that would be a breach?

The response should be interesting!

Two men to face court after “Operation Byford”
Date: Friday, 6 June 2008
http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/media/index.php?0000&mr=555
Two men are facing prosecution under Western Australia’s fishing laws this month, after allegedly being found in possession of marron out of season.
The men were apprehended in Canning Mills Road, Kalamunda, on Friday 23 May 2008, when Fisheries and Marine Officers were involved in a joint operation that also included Police, Water Corporation Officers, Serpentine/Jarrahdale Shire rangers and Department of Environment and Conservation Officers, who carried out a range of roadside checks and other targeted activities.
Department of Fisheries Compliance Manager for the Southern Metropolitan Region John Breeden said ten Fisheries and Marine Officers (FMOs) took part in the two-night “Operation Byford”, along with 28 officers from the other agencies.
“The two men facing prosecution allegedly had two-dozen marron in the vehicle they were in, when it was stopped and searched,” Mr Breeden said. “Luckily the FMOs were able to return the marron to the water, at a nearby dam, but they also seized six drop nets and a torch.”
30 year-old Clinton Peter Hawkins of Bickley and Bradley James Watson, aged 31, from High Wycombe were, this week, each charged with joint possession of 24 marron during a non-possession period on land not owned or occupied by that person. They are expected to face Midland Magistrates Court on Thursday 26 June 2008.
If found guilty, they could be fined up to $5,000 and be ordered to pay an additional mandatory penalty of $960 for the marron that was allegedly in their possession.
Mr Breeden said the joint operation, which resulted in successful outcomes for the agencies involved, was a good test of interagency organisational skills and provided a good exercise from which future operations in the district would benefit.
“Department of Fisheries and Water Corporation officers often do joint patrols at drinking water dams near Perth and in the South West of the State and this was an opportunity to take part in a broader operation in the Perth hills area,” he said.
“There are likely to be further joint operations later in the year and, in the meantime, Fisheries and Marine Officers will continue to do surveillance or patrols at WA dams. We also encourage assistance from members of the public, who notice any suspicious fishing activity anywhere. They should call FISHWATCH on 1800 815 507.
Details about fishing rules are available from Department of Fisheries offices or they can be downloaded from the Department of Fisheries website at www.fish.wa.gov.au.

Unwanted marine pest identified in Albany
Date: Tuesday, 10 June 2008
http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/media/index.php?0000&mr=556
The Department of Fisheries will begin survey work next week to confirm the presence and check the extent of a marine pest, which has not previously been found in WA.
This green seaweed, formally known as Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides, has recently been identified in a sample of macroalga taken at Albany’s Town Jetty.
Experts agree this particular seaweed is difficult to tell apart from some other species of Codium, which are not defined as marine pests. It has previously only been found in marine environments in South Eastern Australia and its presence at the Town Jetty makes it difficult to be sure how it was transferred to Princess Royal Harbour.
Department of Fisheries Biosecurity Management Officer Dr Stephanie Turner said the unwanted seaweed had the potential to smother shellfish (by preventing shell opening), foul nets and be a nuisance to commercial fishers, and potentially produce unpleasant odours if masses were to accumulate and rot on beaches.
“Since it was identified in the sample sent to a specialist taxonomist, the Department of Fisheries has taken steps under the National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest Incursions to notify relevant government agencies and stakeholders of the test results to help work up a plan of action to deal with it,” Dr Turner said.
“This marine pest has earned the nickname as the ‘oyster thief’ in the US for its tendency to smother oyster beds, but it can also smother mussels and scallops.
“It could have been translocated to Albany a number of ways, but from its location on the jetty, it is hard to know exactly how that happened. We will undertake field work from next Monday (16 June) to collect important information that will help us understand how widely it is distributed.”
Dr Turner said the specimen identified was fertile so the early investigation work would be vital in mapping out options for responding to this marine pest incursion.
“Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides is a large dark green macroalga with one to several, thick and upright branches which can be 15 to 20 centimetres high,” she said.
“As a result it has attracted the description “dead man’s fingers” and it is listed as a marine pest, because of its invasiveness and for the impacts it’s had on shellfish farms in the northwest Atlantic.
“In Australia it is reported to settle on native algae and shellfish and foul commercial fishing nets, but in large part it is a marine pest issue that needs to be assessed further and there is no need for any alarm as it is not a problem for the wider community.”
(For more details on this marine pest and photos of it, visit the CSIRO NIMPIS database online: http://www.marine.csiro.au/crimp/nimpis/spSummaryPDF.asp?txa=6916
NIMPIS = National Introduced Marine Pest Information System.)

Ocean Reef fish kill due to lack of oxygen in water
Date: Thursday, 5 June 2008
http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/media/index.php?0000&mr=554

Department of Fisheries’ pathologists have completed a range of tests, following a recent fish kill near the Ocean Reef Marina and found it to be caused by a lack of oxygen.
Fish Kill Incident Response Co-ordinator Paul Hillier said the results had confirmed his early assessment and had now conclusively ruled out disease or algal blooms as causes for the fish deaths on Tuesday 27 May 2008.
“We examined a range of fish species and some crabs collected from the beach on that day and they all showed signs of anoxic (or lack of oxygen) conditions in the water,” Mr Hillier said.
“The fish collected included mullet, yellowfin whiting, trumpeter, and bream.
“Their gills all showed numerous swollen blood capillaries – a change commonly associated with a response to low dissolved oxygen and this is a frequent finding in fish kills that are due to anoxic water conditions.”
Mr Hillier said that water samples collected on the same day showed no toxic algal species present and no significant bacterial isolates were recovered.
“While there are still some water sample tests that we don’t have back, there is enough information for me to be confident the cause was a lack of oxygen – perhaps a still body of water that the fish swam through that morning that was very low in dissolved oxygen and that would have been enough to kill them,” he said.
“As in this case, we appreciate the early notification of fish kills because it makes the testing simpler and more effective if we can get samples that are still in good post mortem condition.
“The Department of Fisheries has a Fish Kill Incident Response Plan for Western Australia. We work with other government agencies and, since 2005, there have been more than 160 people, from around the State, trained in the use of special fish kill sampling kits.”
Mr Hillier said this helped the agencies involved to respond as rapidly as possible and ensure the collection of proper samples for prompt analysis.
“It is important for a local community to find out as soon as possible whether a fish kill has been caused by natural events, as in this Ocean Reef case, or if it has been triggered by disease or potentially toxic algal species or chemicals in the water,” he said.

Home possession limits now apply



Dept of Fisheries Media Release http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/media/index.php?0000&mr=550

Recfishwest supports protection for western blue groper at Rottnest Island

http://www.recfishwest.org.au/MediaStateRottnestBlueGroper.htm

Recfishwest today praised the Fisheries Minister, Jon Ford's, announcement to totally protect the western blue groper, in waters around Rottnest Island.

"This is another example of where recreational fishers have proactively endorsed tighter restrictions on a fish species to ensure its sustainability in the future." Kane Moyle, Acting Executive Director said today.

"It was the recreational fishing public that were the driving force behind the total protection of cobbler in the Swan river as well as the protection of pink snapper spawning stocks in Cockburn Sound and Shark Bay." Mr Moyle said.

Recfishwest first called for the total protection of blue groper during the review of the Rottnest Island Marine Management Strategy in 2006. One of the arguments for increased sanctuary zoning at Rottnest was the vulnerability of the long-lived slow-growing blue groper to fishing pressure.

"Recfishwest first suggested the total protection of blue groper in Rottnest Island Authority waters as a solution to this management concern. We were disappointed that it wasn't picked up then." Mr Moyle said.

"We are pleased that the Minister for Fisheries has taken it upon himself to implement this measure. Mr Moyle said.

Recfishwest values the sharing of the fish resources between user groups and in this instance believe it to be important that divers can observe this iconic fish species in the waters around Rottnest Island.

Recfishwest urges that all recreational fishers that incidentally catch a blue groper from June 1 within the waters of the Rottnest Island Marine Reserve to ensure the fish's best chance of post release survival by using a Release Weight.

A brochure and a soon to be launched DVD on how to use the Release Weight will be available on the Recfishwest website http://www.recfishwest.org.au/ReleaseWeight.htm

ENDS

Media Contact:- Kane Moyle, Acting Executive Director - Recfishwest 9246 3366 or 0419 949 118.
==========

TerryF
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Beavering away in the background.......

Mandurah Professional Fishermen workshop 3 June



Invitation to Mandurah Licensed Professional Fishermen's Association Environmental Management System Stakeholder workshop



This workshop is the first of a series that are part of the development process for an Environmental Management System for the Fishery. The objective of this workshop is to identify social and environmental hazards and impacts associated with this particular fishery. Impacts will be assigned likelihood and consequence ratings to give an overall risk rating. Results from this workshop will be used to develop recommendations for minimising the risks and impacts identified and will be incorporated into the development of the EMS and an industry code of practice.



The workshop will be held at the Mandurah Yacht Club situated on Mary St in Old Halls Head on Tuesday June 3 2008, starting at 6:30 pm. We have booked the space for 3 hours and hope to be able to discuss the concerns of all stakeholders who attend; however, if any issues are not dealt with during the day a subsequent workshop can be arranged before closing the workshop. If you would like to attend or for more information please contact Carl Bevilacqua on 08 9492 8811.



Online Survey – Please take our short online survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=9rZM62DeYwrzmI6s2wzV4g_3d_3d



Carl Bevilacqua, WA SeaNet Officer, Ocean Watch Australia Ltd

P.O. Box 55, Mt Hawthorn, WA 6915 Tel 08 9492 8811

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TerryF

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Beavering away in the background.......

I am still wondering why, like many people i suspect we are allowing commercial netters to rape and pillage our fish stocks.

Indiscriminately taking mainly cat one fish in all sizes.

When is recfishwest going to do something about it, still waiting for an answer.

I think recfishwest is only concerned about keeping the organization financial and all keeping

their jobs.

But everyone is intitled to their opinions.

Look forward to their reply.

Just got the latest copy of the Recreational Boating Facilities update. Let me just say that the outline for the new Cockburn Boat Ramp looks a dish. Eight (8) ramps, a service jetty, a boat stacker and 350 min trailer parking. Looks oarsome (pun).

Theres gotta be a let down in this somewhere.

I'm thinking that either;
1 PARKING METERS WILL BE INSTALLED.
2 PROPOSED 4 MONTH FISHING BAN FOR PRIZED SPECIES TAKES EFFECT AND SEES A RAPID
DECLINE IN BOAT USEAGE ON THE COCKBURN AREA AND THE RAMP UPGRADE IS ABANDONED.

Call me a cynic.

Does anyone know the oppositions stance on the new fishing regs to come out , or where I can find out what the libs are saying on the subject ???

Logue Brook Dam closure - Stateline 7:30 Friday ABC1



Info in an email from the Save Logue Brook Dam Action Group



Some good news. Last weekend (12 & 13 April), Logue Brook Dam turned on perfect weather for the team at ABC1's "Stateline", during which they interviewed the caravan park owners, the Logue Brook Ski Club and West Australian families enjoying their recreational lifestyle.



The team got some great footage throughout the day to raise awareness to our fight to save Logue Brook Dam and everything it has to offer.



Furthermore, Stateline will be interviewing the HON John Kobelke where hopefully tough questions will be asked.



So tune in Stateline ABC1 Friday 18 April at 7.30pm for some interesting viewing and see what Logue Brook Dam is really about.



Please forward to all of your contacts.

=====



PM or email me for email contact details for this group.



Stateline is repeated on ABC1 Saturday 19 April 12 noon.



Recfishwest is closely involved with this group and working through a variety of avenues to address issues with the Logue Brook closure. See http://www.recfishwest.org.au/LogueBrookPresentation2006.html for the slides used and the text of RFW's 2006 presentation.



Much more about this closure http://www.westernangler.com.au/forum/fb.asp?m=163376/tm.htm



TerryF

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Beavering away in the background......

to all concerned fishing people i have been given a contact to put your submission forward on changes to recreation fishing {fish for life alliance}web site for print out i have a printed copy it worth the time to read hope info on the site is the same

Recfishwest response to recreational fishing proposals



Here is the timetable for the Recfishwest response/submission on the proposals for changes to recreational fishing rules for West Coast.



Closing date for submissions to the Minister is 5pm Wednesday 30 April.



Draft

======



RFW draft available by pm Friday 11 April.



Will be posted on the RFW website, emailed to RFW members and lots of other public contacts and the link will be provided on fishing forums.



Comments on the draft can be made by RFW members and others and will be considered.



Deadline for comments on the RFW draft - probably pm Friday 18 April - To be confirmed.



That will give people 7 days to comment on the RFW draft if they wish, or 18 days to use to use anything from the RFW draft submission in their own submission if they wish.



Final

======



The final RFW version will be available by pm Thursday 24 April.



This will use comments from RFW members and others where changes are needed.



Will also be posted and distributed as above for the draft.



That will give people 5 days to use anything from the RFW final submission in their own submission if they wish .



=======



YES Recfishwest HAS read and will continue to read the many posts on the various fishing forums, emails etc, and so is ALREADY aware of the many (sometimes conflicting) opinions.



These proposals are NOT simple, and there is a lot of details and options to be considered, including things which are NOT in the proposals.



It is just not possible to say everything which needs to be said in 1 or 2 pages, so the RFW submission will probably have a summary and be followed by several pages of detail, like the RFW response to FMP225.



These proposals are THE most important changes affecting recreational fishing for a very long time, this MUST be done properly, and that all takes time.



===========



Contact Recfishwest

PO Box 34, North Beach,

Western Australia, 6920

Tel: 9246 3366 Fax: 9246 5955

Email

Website http://www.recfishwest.org.au/



TerryF

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Beavering away in the background.......





==============



Please keep this thread for discussions/questions on the RFW submission or timetable.



Please use an existing thread or start another one if you want to comment on the details of the actual proposals



==============

What do YOU want for recreational fishing in the next term of Government?.



The WA State election is due in early 2009. Some people are betting the State election will be in late(ish) 2008.



The political parties are probably working on their election promises.



Those would cover the four calendar years from 2009 to the end of 2012.



Now's a chance to say what you want for recreational fishing in that 4 year period.



Some details and reasons and priorities and supporting info would help with putting the final list into some order.



Go to it.



Here are some references to the promises which were made for the 2005 WA State election.



Australian Labor Party 2005 Policy Document "Labor's Plan for Fisheries" http://www.recfishwest.org.au/Labor2005PlanForFisheries.htm



WA Liberal/National Coalition 2005 position statement on Fisheries http://www.recfishwest.org.au/ElectionWALibNatPositionStmt.htm



Recfishwest Questions for WA State Election 2005 http://www.recfishwest.org.au/ElectionPolicy2004.htm



Premier of Western Australia response to Recfishwest's 2005 Election Policy questions http://www.recfishwest.org.au/ElectionStmtPremier.htm



Minister for the Environment part response to Recfishwest's 2005 Election Policy questions http://www.recfishwest.org.au/ElectionMinEdwards.htm



TerryF

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Beavering away in the background.......

The last thread related to this sensitive area went HOT yesterday, so keeping the ammo belts full and the breach clean (I feel much better today thanks) was wondering what people thought about Cockburn Sound being a Marine Park idea.  

What would people think if CS was maybe declared a MARINE PARK or Sanctuary?

Before you pull out the Mimi guns and start spraying bullets think about these considerations/comments

1. Cockburn Sound is a recognised snapper nursery which possibly supplies pinky stocks to as far away as Dongara
2. Marine parks seem to benefit from more stringent environmental management….
3. Determination as a Marine park might help the general public (non-anglers) automatically recognised this area as being important.
4. Losing CS might satisfy the minister’s ambitions of protecting fish stocks rather than season closures (which would work best for the fish in Spring and summer)note:  this wont help the dhuie
5. The proposed construction of a Island Shipping terminal  and associated anchorage in CS which will have huge environmental impacts not just on breeding fish but seagrasses etc…..would have to be considered in a different light
6. It might reduce the dredge mining of lime-sand

I got my body armour on so fire away

no dumb dumbs bullets please......I'm already obtuse

Logue Brook Dam Awareness Day Sunday 20 January http://www.saveloguebrookdam.com/

Murray Cowper and the Logue Brook Dam Water Ski Club invite you to enjoy a sausage sizzle and a great day out at Logue Brook Dam.

We need you to help us make a stand and preserve Logue Brook Dam as a recreational destination for WA, to be enjoyed by many more generations.

We aim to present news, facts and information to combine the efforts of Logue Brook Dam's many recreational communities to help save Logue Brook Dam.

Help us save Logue Brook Dam! (info from http://www.murraycowper.com/loguebrook.html)

Come and enjoy Logue Brook Dam, a sausage sizzle and a great day out on Sunday 20 January, at the Logue Brook Water Ski Club facility, and help us stop the Government from closing one of WA’s favourite freshwater recreation spots.



Why: Logue Brook Dam and its surrounds are enjoyed by over 30 000 people each year for water skiing, fishing, swimming, bushwalking, canoeing and general recreation

Closing Logue Brook Dam is just the thin edge of the wedge and will result in WA losing many more highly valuable recreational water spots

The means far outweighs the ends :  Logue Brook dam can only supply 5GL of water per year, about 2% of the South West drinking supply needed.  Compare this with 100 GL provided by the proposed Binningup Desal plant. Yet this decision is going to adversely impact thousands of people

Closing our recreation venues does not encourage healthy living – the Bibbulman track attracts over 137 000 people each year – all who will be affected by the closure

Closing the dam in the face of so much public opposition is a slap in the face of democracy – don’t our views count??

Recreation CAN be carried out in catchment areas without affecting quality and quanitities of water if managed correctly

There are very few bodies of fresh water available that can be used for recreation

The Munda Biddi Bike Trail will not be able to be extended

The replacement ‘gift’ of Lake Kepwari is too small, too far away, and the water is acidic!

Moving recreation to Waroona’s dams will not work because they are too small and this will result in dangerous situations for users

What you can do :

Spread the word about the decision to close the dam and why it is a ridiculous decision

Write to the Minister for Water Resources, John Kobelke

Distribute flyers for the 20 January : Download it here

Write to your local member of state parliament

Write or phone your local newspapers and any other media outlets

Download, print and get signatures for the petition.

Become an associate member of the Logue Brook Ski Club

Keep in touch with Murray Cowper, (9583 3830, ) and check his website for updates and info (www.murraycowper.com).

Watch a discussion between Logue Brook Water Ski Club secretary Charlie Odorisio and Murray regarding Logue Brook dam http://www.murraycowper.com/loguebrook.html

===========

TerryF
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Beavering away in the background......

Recfishwest today declared its membership drive for 2007 a significant success, starting the New Year with 1087 members.  

"This has surpassed the organisation's initial target of 1000 members by the end of January 2008." Executive Director Frank Prokop said today.

The government recently set Recfishwest the challenge to dramatically increase its membership in order to secure future funding for the organisation.  Through the support of recreational fishers Recfishwest has been able to meet this challenge and secure its financial future as the peak recreational fishing body in Western Australia  

"I must thank the many recreational fishers that have made a meaningful investment in their fishing future." Mr Prokop said today.

"I urge all recreational fishers that have not already joined Recfishwest to get on board.  The work is certainly not yet done.  The recreational fishing sector faces a number of significant challenges in the near future." Mr Prokop said today.

"With the implementation of the metropolitan recreational only fishing zone and the subsequent management reforms facing the recreational sector, the need for a strong and representative peak fishing body has never been more important." Mr Prokop said.

As part of the membership drive a prize draw for Recfishwest members was held on the 17th December.  The winners and prizes are listed on the RFW website http://www.recfishwest.org.au/index.html#Xmas

Recfishwest would like to acknowledge the invaluable support received from the following organisations in increasing our membership numbers; Anglers Paradise, Got-One Tackle Woodvale, Engel Fridges, Skywest, Halco, Hills Mako Tackle, Sunset Sinkers, Australian Fishing Network, Hotbite, Western Angler, The WA Fishing Magazine, Fishing & Outdoors Western Australia Magazine and Freetime Group Australia.

Membership costs only $20 or a family of four can join for $40.  Membership forms are available at the Recfishwest website http://www.recfishwest.org.au/MembershipDet.htm or can be processed over the phone on (08) 9246 3366.  The stocks of the Limited Edition Halco Lure and Fantastic Fish Calendar have all been used.

Media Contact Frank Prokop, Executive Director - Recfishwest  9246 3366 or 0419 949 118.

=============

TerryF
=====
Beavering and volunteering away in the background......

 It was reported tonight on television that fishers are to be discouraged in taking mussels from the Swan river due to excessively high levels of Tributyltin (TBT). This chemical was commonly used in anti-foul for boat hulls at Yacht clubs along the Swan river. It was also reported that TBT can remain in the system for about 20 years so we are being advised NOT to take mussels as it stunts the growth of mussels especially around the areas where this chemical was used. If I heard correctly this TBT has been banned from use since 1991.

"Activities that could damage the SEA-ME-WE3 cable are restricted or prohibited within the protection zone, and significant criminal penalties apply for breaches of the legislation."

"Fibre optic submarine cables are susceptible to damage and breakage from external impact. Repairing a broken or damaged cable is an expensive and time-consuming exercise. While the locations of existing cables are well-known, and are marked on most maritime maps, accidental damage of cables has occurred several times in recent years in Australian waters. Activities that pose the greatest threat to undersea cables are sea-bottom trawl fishing, anchoring sand-dredging, and dumping."

So why not ban anchoring in the zone rather than a full ban on recreational fishing in the zone?  Seems stupid to me

Just a comment re the post by fishermanpat and the following negative comments about him fishing responsibly and about "farming the spots" etc, first off I am not one who posted any negatvie coment infact good on him for taking his bag limit and no more. what is bothering me though is this, me and a mate have another mate who runs an unnamed  tackle shop in mandurah he tells us of a particular customer who comes in the shop, he tells him he has caught 35 dhui's in 7 weeks that is an average of 5 dhui's per week all between 8 and 20 kilo's that in my estimations is pushing the boundries in fishing responsibly I mean who the hell needs 5 Dhui's a week of that size? apparently he went out with a couple of other boats tied them all together to drift the same spot, this is bullshit IMO so whilst we have knobheads like this in our midst's people like  fishermanpat need to be applauded he's not a problem or a threat to the fish populations it's the aforementiond knobheads who are the threat. If everyonne fished responsibly like fishermanpat then we wouldn't have the problem we have now granted they are only taking there bag limits but c'mon enough is enough. I'll probably get attacked for this post but that's how I feel

Thats my rant

Some links about political parties' Fisheries policies to add to the info you might use in deciding who to vote for. Then again, maybe to add to the confusing mix...

Coalition:- Strengthening & Protecting Australia's Fishing Industry http://www.liberal.org.au/about/documents/Fisheries.pdf

Labor:- Plan for Sustainable Fisheries http://www.alp.org.au/download/now/071120_fisheries_policy.pdf

Greens:- Fisheries http://greens.org.au/about/policy/policy.php?policy_id=11

Democrats:- http://www.democrats.org.au/docs/ActionPlans/Environment_Coasts_2007.pdf

The rest:- try Google, good luck.

======

Recfish Australia Media release For immediate publication 22nd November 2007

Recfishwest announced the launch of a Young Future Leaders in Recreational Fishing Program to be run at the Abrolhos Islands in March 2008.

"One of the key challenges for recreational groups such as Recfishwest is to ensure that younger people are able to make a contribution to ensuring that fishing quality in Western Australia is maintained." declared Executive Director of Recfishwest, Frank Prokop.

The 'Western Australian Young Future Leaders in Recreational Fishing' project will bring together at the Abrolhos Islands, recreational fishers who are aged under 35 who want to make a real difference. The selected participants will be educated and mentored by a group of recognised leaders in recreational fishing advocacy and management. This project will help to ensure that there is a trained group of people able to assist in the future management and leadership of recreational fishing. It complements a national program which was recently run in Darwin.

Recfishwest praised the support and cooperation which it has received from the Commonwealth government who provided the funds, the State government who provided the facility, the Department of Fisheries who had made available a research vessel and staff time and the general recreational fishing community for their support for the project.

"Recfishwest is committed to ensuring that there are more young people involved in responsible recreational fisheries management. One important way to ensure this is to take the participants to a beautiful location such as the Abrolhos Islands where they can see some of the issues first hand and create new solutions to management problems." Mr Prokop said.

Deputy Chairman of Recfishwest Craig Leatt-Hayter said, "This course will provide the opportunity to spend time on a fisheries research vessel, to see how compliance operates and to spend time on a charter boat. While there will be time to wet a line, this course is about selecting the best 15 young future leaders from throughout the state. The course will provide a platform for young future leaders to have input into the future management of recreational fishing in Western Australia as individuals or through membership of community groups, advisory committees, recreational fishing lobby groups or Government departments."

Recfishwest will ensure that regional participants and young women are included as Western Australia moves towards greater responsibility for management decisions. There will be female mentors and support.

An application form is available on the Recfishwest web site. Applications close on December 31 and will be assessed by a panel.

Participants must be able to travel to Perth for the start of the course on Saturday 1 March 2008 to return to Perth late on Friday 7 March. The costs for the course, other than some travel costs to Perth and incidentals will be covered by the Commonwealth recreational fishing community grant.

"This is an extremely exciting opportunity which I urge all interested young people to get behind. You will meet other dedicated young people, have a mentor to help your future development and get a unique opportunity to visit the Abrolhos Islands as it prepares for the commercial rock lobster season." Frank Prokop concluded.

Contact Frank Prokop, Executive Director - Recfishwest ph. 9246 3366 or 0419 949 118
=====

Application form from http://www.recfishwest.org.au/MediaStateYoungFutureLeaders.htm

TerryF
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Beavering away in the background......

RFAC and RRFAC changes

RFAC Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee Expression of Interest for Committee Members

People with an interest in the management and conservation of recreational fisheries are invited to apply for committee positions on the Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee (RFAC).

The RFAC has 15 members and its role is to provide advice to the Minister for Fisheries on issues affecting recreational fishing throughout Western Australia. The term of appointment will be for a period of two years.

Applications are invited for the following five positions:

    * Three people to represent regional recreational fishing interests;
    * One person of Aboriginal descent and able to represent the interests of Aboriginal people; and
    * One person to represent the interests of the tackle industry.

The committee meets in Perth approximately four times per year for two days. Applicants must be prepared to attend all meetings.

Travel and accommodation expenses of committee members are paid as per established Public Service Guidelines.
Applications

Applications Close: Friday 30 November 2007.
===========

RRFAC Regional Recreational Fishing Advisory Committees Expression of Interest for Committee Members

People with an interest in the management and conservation of recreational fisheries are invited to apply for committee positions on the Regional Recreational Fishing Advisory Committees (RRFACs) listed below.

There are 12 RRFACs and they have approximately 12 members. Their role is to provide advice to the Minister for Fisheries on issues which affect recreational fishing throughout regional Western Australia.

Applications are invited for the following RRFACs:

    * Carnarvon
    * Denham
    * East Kimberley
    * Esperance/Goldfields
    * Exmouth
    * Great Southern
    * Metropolitan
    * Midwest
    * Peel
    * Pilbara
    * South West
    * West Kimberley

The committees meet in their relevant regions approximately four times per year.
Applications

Applications Close: Friday 14 December 2007.

Application forms are available from the Department of Fisheries. Please contact:

Ms Eileen Ferguson
Level 3, SGIO Atrium
168-170 St George's Terrace
PERTH WA 6000
Telephone: 9482 7332
Email:

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/macs/rfac/eoi.php?0001 and http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/macs/rfac/eoi-rrfac.php?0001

TerryF
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Beavering away in the background......

Can you please pass this on to any of your contacts who may be interested.

Pink Flyfishing Clinic

A Pink Flyfishing clinic for women recovering from breast cancer will be held on Wednesday 28 November at Point Walter commencing at 9.30am

Research in the United States has shown that fly fishing for women recovering from breast cancer provides an opportunity for women who have been affected by the disease to gather in a beautiful, natural and relaxing environment and learn a fun new skill.

These special fly-fishing clinics will offer women an opportunity to meet new friends and create a support network, but most importantly to have fun. Fly fishing is a sport where women can talk whilst fishing, and offer much needed support for each other.

Fly-fishing is an excellent form of recovery exercise for breast cancer surgery. We wish to assist those women who have experienced surgery or treatment to a speedy recovery and to introduce new participants to fly fishing. It is less physically demanding than dragon boat racing where breast cancer survivors have also made a significant impact.

Fly fishing techniques provide gentle exercise for joint and soft tissue mobility. Studies have shown that the casting motion is similar to the exercises prescribed by surgeons for women who've had surgery or radiation. It is a very gentle motion which promotes soft tissue stretching.

Learning a new life skill at such a traumatic time could also be beneficial in providing a fun positive activity at a very stressful time in your life. The outdoors soothes the soul and can provide women with an improved outlook on life. Being inspired by the recovery process in other women and seeing that other women are surviving breast cancer .can be a powerful healing tool. It might even be something your partner or family could take up as well!

A series of coordinated clinics is seen as an ideal way to provide an opportunity for women to try fly fishing and to establish a network of friends who have been through similar experiences. The participants can voluntarily be included in a contact list of fellow participants if they so desire for future fishing buddies.

Each breast cancer survivor will be given a quality Shimano shirt and there'll be lots of give-aways and prizes on the day.

The Pink Flyfishing Clinics will be conducted free of charge with all equipment including flyrods and reels provided.

Internationally renowned fishing personality 'ReelGirl' Jeni Lerch will conduct the clinic.

Register your interest by contacting Recfishwest on Phone: 9246 3366 Email:

http://www.recfishwest.org.au/PinkFlyFishing2007.htm

TerryF
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Beavering away in the background......

9/11/07

Geographe Bay fishing future settled

Fisheries Minister Jon Ford has delivered a comprehensive solution to the sharing of fish resources near Busselton and the removal of commercial shoreline fishing from Geographe Bay over a fair and equitable timetable.

“Rapid regional population growth and Geographe Bay’s important tourism role in Western Australia’s South-West have been increasing resource-sharing pressures, however we must apply a fair and balanced approach to resolving the issues,” Mr Ford said.

“I have established a plan to remove the conflict and close a large section of the bay to commercial shoreline fishing activities that have the highest interaction with recreational fishers and other beach users, but the change will be implemented over a reasonable timetable.

“From July 1, 2009, there will be a permanent closure of Geographe Bay between
Cape Naturaliste and Port Geographe to salmon fishing and beach seine fishing, which targets bait fish, however in the meantime there will also be time closures during holiday periods.

“Commercial salmon fishing will be prohibited in this area of Geographe Bay on public holidays and long weekends, from Friday to Monday during Easter and between noon Friday and noon on Sunday for weekends during the April school holidays.

“This solution will allow the community to plan ahead, take advantage of the tourism benefits it provides and for commercial operators to be compensated accordingly.”

The Minister said the Government would fund the buyout of the commercial licences through a Fisheries Adjustment Scheme, to address the resource-sharing issues in an equitable way and allow for those fishers to plan ahead.

“The area that will be closed to commercial shoreline fishing covers a significant area of Geographe Bay, however the reason we didn’t close the whole bay off was in reaction to feedback from local people about the availability of fresh local fish supplies,” he said.

“This new initiative, combined with my recent decision to implement a new management plan for the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Fishery and the significant adjustments I have made to Zone 1 of the Joint Authority Southern Demersal Gillnet and Longline (shark) Managed Fishery, will address resource-sharing conflicts in the Geographe Bay area.”

Adjustments in the shark fishery include an overall effort reduction of 30 per cent, with some gillnet and longline licensees experiencing individual reductions of greater than 60 per cent and a two-month pupping closure to prohibit fishing in the area from mid-August to mid-October.

Media contact: Regina Titelius - 9213 7200 or 0412 009 173
Statements available on the Government’s regional website: http://www.regional.mediastatements.wa.gov.au

RFW DRAFT response Managing the Recreational Catch of Demersal Scalefish

The DRAFT response by Recfishwest to Fisheries Management Paper 225 is now on the RFW website at http://www.recfishwest.org.au/DraftSubmFMP225.htm

I am strongly emphasising this is NOT a final version, just a DRAFT of both contents and layout.

It is looking for constructive comments from Recfishwest members and the recreational fishing community before finalising the RFW position at the RFW Board meeting on 14 November.

RFW are getting this out early so others have nearly three weeks to read and consider and comment on it, not be rushed in the last few days before submissions close on 16 November.

The version on the RFW website http://www.recfishwest.org.au/DraftSubmFMP225.htm has internal links so the details can be accessed directly from the summaries, and so that people can be directed to specific proposals in answer to questions.

The extra explanatory details are essential reading to expand on the simple one liners (or few liners) in the summary at the beginning.

People can use anything they agree with or wish to use in their own submissions.

People can comment on, including disagreeing with, RFW's DRAFT, or say things they believe should be included, but they will need to come up with reasons / alternatives / etc, not just reactions.

Tell us what you think and ask us to explain anything you don't agree with - you may give new details which will change Recfishwest's DRAFT.

The presentation of the document could be improved with a few rearrangements of the section numbering and moving some paragraphs so they will flow and relate better. This will be done later - the priority now is to make this available to others.

No one ever said this would be easy. We know that some recreational fishermen will not like what HAS to be done, but sustainability of some species and the future of recreational fishing for some of them is at stake.

Please keep comments on the contents of RFW's draft. There are plenty of other threads for side issues, or start your own.

TerryF
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Beavering away in the background......

Recfishwest - looking after YOUR recreational fishing future. http://www.recfishwest.org.au/

You need Recfishwest to look after your recreational fishing interests. Who else has the time, the knowledge, the professional approach, the realistic alternatives, the willingness and the contacts?

Recfishwest needs YOUR support. We would really like you to become a member, get involved and help us.

You can join for just $20 or $10 for over 65/under 18, $40 for a family of 4 - by post, by phone 9246 3366, fax 9246 5955, by email , in person, or fill in a website form see http://www.recfishwest.org.au/MembershipDet.htm

You are the ones who benefit when Recfishwest succeeds, or you will lose out when Recfishwest is ignored.

Day light saving starts this weekend for Western Australians. What does everyone think, for/against?? Any benefits or negatives from your perspective?

Cheers,
Adam

158 undersize crabs in illegal haul at Mandurah
Date: Friday, 5 October 2007 (A while back, but worth noting now I've seen it!)

A magistrate has ordered that four men pay a total of $15,070 for being in joint possession of 158 undersize blue manna crabs in the Peel Inlet at Erskine in March this year.

A Mandurah court was yesterday told that the offenders were caught after a Fisheries and Marine Officer was given information by a police officer, who reported a suspected illegal fishing case.

It’s understood a member of the public had tipped off the police officer.

A joint investigation by the Fisheries and Police officers, in the early evening of 18 March this year, uncovered the men wading in the shallows and in possession of 161 blue manna crabs, only three of which were bigger than the legal size limit.

21-year-old Botra SON of Wanneroo, 28-year-old Sitha Doeurn NOV and 26-year-old Vothroth KEO all of Wanneroo and 26-year-old Tola Vi CHOR of Alexander Heights pleaded guilty to the joint possession of the undersize crabs that are totally protected under the Fish Resources Management Act.

Each man was fined $500 for the offence and the four were also ordered to each pay a mandatory penalty of $3160, plus court costs of $107.70 each.

Department of Fisheries’ Metropolitan Region Manager Tony Cappelluti said each of the men had also exceeded the former daily bag limit of 20 blue manna crabs per fisher and they had failed to release the undersize crabs within five minutes of taking them.

“The Peel Harvey is currently closed to crab fishing and when the fishery reopens, on 1 November, fishers need to be aware the daily bag limit will be 10 crabs, with a boat limit of 20 crabs. These new limits will apply across the West Coast Bioregion,” he said.

“Court cases like this, where the offenders have been guilty of breaching the rules that are imposed to help keep our fisheries sustainable, are a real concern.

"Mandurah’s crab fishery is one of WA's most important fisheries and attracts thousands of participants a year. It is already under significant stress, with signs that crab stocks may require further management. Illegal fishing can further threaten the future of this fishery.

“Taking undersize crabs or fish gives no regard for the future of a fishery, so it is important that the fines imposed reflect the seriousness of the offence.”

More details, on the rules that apply to crab fishing in the West Coast Bioregion and the area that bioregion covers, are available online at www.fish.wa.gov.au.