Recfishwest seeks Minister's support for fisheries management package



Media Release - Recfishwest seeks Minister's support for fisheries management package. http://www.recfishwest.org.au/MediaReleaseDemersalPackage.htm



Recfishwest has presented to Fisheries Minister Norman Moore an alternative management package for west coast demersal scalefish and licence fees.



"Recfishwest has accepted the Minister's challenge to develop an alternative management strategy to reduce the recreational take of key west coast demersal scalefish by 50% without the use of a high licence fee," executive director, Frank Prokop said today.



In developing this package Recfishwest has consulted with key recreational fishing stakeholders through a number of industry summit meetings.



The 50% reduction formed the basis of the management discussions. Following negotiations, Recfishwest endorsed an individual limit of one and a boat limit of two dhufish together with an individual limit of two high risk demersal species within the west coast bioregion. A further two pelagic species such as mahi mahi and Spanish mackerel would also be permitted.



Recfishwest has strongly advocated for the carriage of a release weight to be compulsory for anyone who lands a west coast demersal species.



Research has proven that the release weight dramatically improves survival of dhufish. Mr Prokop said that it was important to continue to improve survival of released fish.



"Our proposal does not include a $150 demersal licence fee, but rather introduces a modified version of the government's proposed state-wide Boat Fishing Licence of $30 per individual fishing from a registered boat," Mr Prokop said.



In taking this position Recfishwest is mindful that not all recreational fishers will be entirely happy with the proposal. Nevertheless, Recfishwest recognises the importance of a licence as a valuable research census tool and an additional revenue source that can be applied to recreational fishing priorities such as; habitat and stock enhancement, dedicated recreational compliance patrols, research and education.



While an agreed position on licences was not able to be reached during the consultation with other industry groups there was wide scale support for the biological aspects of the proposal.



"This shows significant leadership from the recreational sector in responding to a sustainability challenge in the face of a conservation movement looking to lock up the oceans to fishing," Mr Prokop said.



Recfishwest urges the government to strongly consider this package given that it addresses the key issues and removes the element of the original proposal that attracted significant public opposition.



Mr Prokop hoped that the community would see the benefits of this compromise package.



Recfishwest Management Package



West Coast Demersal Management Proposal



•   Closed Season for High Risk West Coast Demersal Scalefish 15 Oct - 15 Dec



•   High Risk West Coast Demersal Scalefish Sub Category - mixed bag limit of 2 (Including an individual dhufish bag limit 1 and boat limit 2. Charter Boat limit of 6 dhufish).



•   West Coast Pelagic Scalefish Sub Category - mixed bag limit of 2.



•   Some pelagic species moved from High Risk to Medium Risk category



•   Compulsory release weight to be carried when landing of High Risk West Coast Demersal Scalefish.



•   Removal of Category 1 Boat Limit of 8 High risk fish



Licence Proposal



•   State-wide Boat Fishing Licence @ $30 per individual fishing from a registered boat (Note: No Licence required by any person fishing to a licensed person's bag limit).



•   Charter boat fishing licence of $15 per trip to apply state-wide where a person fishes on a charter boat without an annual Boat Fishing Licence.



•   Standardise existing licence categories to $40ea



•   10% discount for multiple licences and 50% discount for concessions and under 16



•   No west coast demersal fishing licence.



Compromise Package & Percentage Reductions



New High Risk West Coast Demersal Scalefish Category - a mixed bag limit of 2 per licence holder    34% (includes impact of boat licence)



Closed season 15 Oct - 15 Dec for High Risk West Coast Demersal Scalefish Category    15%



Compulsory release weight    2%



Total    51%



ENDS



Media Contacts:-

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

Kane Moyle, Policy Officer - Recfishwest ph. 9246 3366 or 0403 898 432



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



The Background.



The Government announced licence and management changes which were due to commence on 15 October 2009. Those were decisions by the whole of Cabinet (the Government), and not just by the Minister for Fisheries or the Department of Fisheries.



The "Fishing Tax Grab" group http://www.fishingtaxgrab.com/ is opposed to the proposed licences and urged people to write to their Members of Parliament, resulting in thousands of letters.



Supported by those, the Labor Opposition has threatened to block those changes using a Disallowance Motion in Parliament. Some Government backbenchers signaled a possibility (or stronger) to also oppose the Government. The Premier and the Fisheries Minister have stood firm that the 50% reduction in the mortality of demersal fish due to recreational fishing is not negotiable, and challenged the opponents to come up with alternatives to achieve that.



Recfishwest called a meeting of Industry, etc attended by representatives as listed below, to produce a combined alternative proposal. Ben Patrick (Fishing Tax Grab), Ian Stagles (WA Game Fishing Association), Mike Roennfeldt (Media), Matt Howard (Charter), Simon Joll (Boating Western Australia), Bruce Barnett (Boating Western Australia), Doug Bathgate (Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee), Tim Carter (Australian Fishing and Tackle Association), Paul Duggan (Australian Fishing and Tackle Association), Scott Coghlan (Media), Geoff Ellis (Boating Industry Association of WA), Pat Shinnick (Australian Anglers Association), Lindsay Joll (Dept of Fisheries), Craig Leatt-Hayter (Recfishwest), Frank Prokop (Recfishwest), Terry Fuller (Recfishwest), Norman Halse (Recfishwest), Des Wood (Recfishwest), Kane Moyle (Executive Support, Recfishwest)



That complete group (not just Recfishwest) came up with an agreed alternative to the management and licences proposed by the Government, which they believed more than met the 50% reduction target, based on calculations using data available to the group.



Recfishwest presented the outcomes of that meeting to the Minister, including presenting the alternative views of some of the Industries on licences. The Minister asked the Dept of Fisheries to advise him if the proposal met his non negotiable 50% reduction in the mortality of demersal fish. The Department advised that it did not, in its opinion, meet the 50% target, and changes were proposed to the package.



That revised package was discussed at a second meeting of the above group on Monday 7 September, called by the Boating Industry Association.



The Recfishwest Board considered the package at the 9 Sept Board meeting. Recognising the long time which has elapsed debating management for West Coast demersal fish and the strong opposition to the high cost licensing package proposed by the Government, Recfishwest has advised the Minister that Recfishwest supports this package as an alternative and compromise. Some other groups are opposed to some parts of the package.



A meeting was held on Friday 11 September between the Minister, RFW Board, representatives of the groups above, and more fishing media people at which the Minister spoke and took comments from people. The Minister and Government will now consider the alternative proposal.



As many people would be aware, there are enormous differences of fishers' and industry opinions about many aspects of all this, including some strong, diametrically opposed and "not negotiable" stances by some.



Recfishwest is well aware of all these opinions. Recfishwest can PRESENT these but cannot REPRESENT   (which means  "promote and expect the acceptance and use of" ) ALL of these conflicting and opposing opinions and then achieve an outcome.



It is one thing to come up with a proposed package, but then the fine and consequential details need to be worked through, before a final agreement can be reached.



In this case there are very complicated political and Government issues, as well as the fisheries management issues.



Publicity for such ongoing and rapid negotiations is always problematic until enough details are final and agreed.



Recfishwest recognises that there are many different views on such an important matter such as licensing and demersal scalefish management, and are pleased that the government is negotiating on a number of the more contentious aspects of the previously announced package.



Recfishwest has now advised its members and the public of this proposal through this media release.



TerryF

=====

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

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/5901690/moore-softens-line-on-fishing-fees/

Fisheries Minister Norman Moore has given ground in the row over fishing licence fees, signalling yesterday he would consider a compromise from key recreational fishing groups.

The plan centres on cutting the number of dhufish anglers can catch and recommending all boats carry a device to help return to the ocean floor undersize demersal fish suffering trauma from being brought to the surface.

These fish are crucial for the breeding population but if not returned to the depths quickly, they suffer "barotrauma" similar to the bends in divers and often die.

The fishing groups also want fees put on hold for two months so a public consultation process can explore ways to better research the industry, such as using voluntary logbooks.

Mr Moore has been under pressure from Liberal backbenchers and their constituents from the day he announced the fees in July in a bid to crack down on recreational fishing and save vulnerable species.

Unless changes are made, from the middle of next month, anyone using a boat to fish must pay an annual licence fee of $30, plus extra to fish for demersal scalefish in the West Coast region.

Fishing for demersal scalefish would be banned from October 15 to December 15.

Mr Moore met peak group Recfishwest yesterday to discuss the deal hammered out among industry groups late last week.

"They have acknowledged the science and agreed that a 50 per cent reduction (in the recreational catch) is necessary and they put forward a number of alternative ways we could achieve that," Mr Moore said.

"I have agreed with them that I will take on board their suggestions and have them analysed and assessed by the department to see whether they meet our objectives.

"I gave them no commitment at all other than to say I will have it assessed by the scientists to see how the numbers pan out."

Mr Moore did not say how long the analysis would take.

Recfishwest executive director Frank Prokop welcomed the move.

"The Minister set us a challenge to come up with a proposal to cut the catch by 50 per cent and we think we have done that and it will be more strongly supported by the industry," he said.

"We'll wait and see what Cabinet's view is on those proposals."

Mr Prokop said bag limits for the most threatened species - dhufish - would be cut to one per angler and two per boat, down from the current limit of four per boat. The seasonal ban would stay.

He said Recfishwest deliberately focused on dhufish because the industry believed other species were at less risk and sufficient conservation measures, with slight changes, were already in place.

91 FAO Members have agreed on an international agreement to implement “port state measures” to combat illegal fishing

"Port state measures" are steps taken by coastal countries at their fishing ports in order to identify illegal fishers.
1 September 2009, Rome - The final text of a new treaty that aims to close fishing ports to vessels involved in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing has been agreed upon by a group of 91 countries during talks brokered by FAO, the UN agency announced today.

The "Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing" will be the first ever global treaty focused specifically on the problem of IUU fishing. It is hoped that the agreement will help block IUU-caught fish from entering international markets, thereby removing an important incentive for some fishermen to engage in illicit fishing.

In the Agreement, countries agree to take a number of steps to harden their ports against IUU fishers. Key points of the treaty include:

• Foreign fishing vessels wishing to dock will be required to request permission from specially designated ports ahead of time, transmitting information on their activities and the fish they have on board -- this will give authorities an opportunity to spot red flags in advance.

•The treaty commits countries to regular inspections and outlines a set of standards that will be used during those inspections. Reviews of ship papers, surveys of fishing gear, examining catches and checking a ship's records can often reveal if it has engaged in IUU fishing.

• Signatories must ensure that ports and inspectors are adequately equipped and trained;

• When a vessel is denied access, port states must communicate that information publicly and national authorities from the country whose flag the vessel is flying must take follow-up action;

• The treaty calls for the creation of information-sharing networks to let countries share details on IUU-associated vessels, and also contains provisions intended to assist resource-strapped developing countries meet their treaty obligations.

These measures apply to foreign fishing vessels not flying the flag of port states (see definitions at right), however countries can apply them to their own fishing fleets as well should they choose.

"By frustrating responsible management, IUU fishing damages the productivity of fisheries — or leads to their collapse. That's a serious problem for the people who depend on them for food and income," said FAO Assistant-Director General for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ichiro Nomura. "This treaty represents a real, palpable advance in the ongoing effort to stamp it out."

Ratification process

The Agreement falls under Article XIV of the FAO Constitution, with FAO's Director-General acting as legal depository for countries' ratifications.

As such, it next will be reviewed by FAO's Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters at its next meeting (23-25 September 2009) and from there it will go to FAO's Council in September and the FAO Conference in November for final review and formal adoption. The substantive work on the treaty may be considered as having been finalized, however.

In order to enter into force the Agreement must then be OK'd at the national level. Once 25 States have done so, it will enter into force after 30 days.

Regular monitoring of compliance will take place, with a major review scheduled to occur four years after the Agreement takes effect.

Strategic bottleneck

So-called "Port state measures" like those prescribed in the new treaty are widely considered as one of the most effective and cost-effective weapons in the fight against illicit fishing.

"Of course, the effectiveness of port state measures depends in large part on how well countries implement them," said David Doulman, an expert on the issue at FAO. "So the focus now is to make sure that countries and other involved parties have the means and know-how to enforce it and are living up to their commitments. Importantly, the Agreement provides for assistance and support to developing countries to help them with implementation."

*FAO Members involved in the talks included: Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Canada, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Congo DR, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, European Community, Fiji, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, USA, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zambia and FAO Associate Member, Faeroe Islands.

The State Government has provided $650,000 for 13 priority local projects to improve the Swan and Canning river foreshores.
Environment Minister Donna Faragher said the Swan River Trust’s Riverbank Grants Scheme provided vital support to local and State Government land managers for priority river restoration work.
“This year, nine different Swan Canning Riverpark land managers will receive Riverbank funding for a range of foreshore restoration and protection activities addressing priority areas,” Mrs Faragher said.
“This funding will boost the capacity of land managers to improve degraded areas; mitigate erosion; enhance habitat and native vegetation; and address public amenity values and safety.
“On-the-ground works - such as weed control, revegetation and erosion control - are essential if we are to preserve our shorelines and rivers for generations to come.
“Looking after the Riverpark is a shared responsibility, and only through the collaboration of the State Government, local government and the community are these projects possible.”
2009-10 Funding Recipients

City of Armadale Revegetation and weed control at three sites on the Canning River in the City of Armadale
$41,422

Town of Bassendean Erosion control, revegetation and weed control, planting of swales and fencing at Ashfield
Parade $106,938

Restoration and revegetation of Sandy Beach riverbank, foreshore and retaining wall $51,000

City of Canning Revegetation and weed control near the Canning River Eco Education Centre $10,000

Town of East Fremantle Foreshore stabilisation and revegetation $13,564

Department of Environment and Conservation Revegetation and weed control at five sites within the Canning River Regional Park: $96,600

Repairs and maintenance to river wall at Matilda Bay Reserve $22,500

Provision of controlled access, revegetation and erosion control at Milyu Reserve in the Swan Estuary $10,000

City of Fremantle Foreshore rehabilitation works in North Fremantle, including weed control, revegetation and foreshore stabilisation $20,500

City of Gosnells Revegetation and weed control at three sites on the Canning River in the City of Gosnells $30,970

City of Nedlands (through WESROC) Bank stabilisation and revegetation at Point Resolution and maintenance at other restoration sites $128,781

City of South Perth Replacement of section of river wall at Como Beach $35,225

Foreshore stabilisation and revegetation at Como Beach $82,500

Hi all,

I've just joined up with my fellow rec anglers in WA (I'm from QLD but don't hold that against me )

 Fishing is my passion and I'll do almost anything to protect it.

I am part of a group of dedicated group of rec anglers hell bent on protecting our lifestyles and our rite to fish without predujice.

ECOfishers has established themselves as the voice for rec anglers on the east coast of OZ.  QLD & NSW have uniuted !

I hail from Brisbane and parts of Moreton Bay have been banned from rec fishing for what ? Why ?

I see the that the same mob want your pound of flesh in WA and to ban rec fishing from certain areas. Why ?

We have the most healthy fisheries in the world yet we are the most regluated.

The link below may have been posted before on here. These are cashed up orginisations and we need to make a stand today.

 http://www.saveourmarinelife.org.au/file.php?file=/ournews.html

Damo

www.ecofishersqld.org.au

Media Release
09/141

What sound does a prawn make when it eats? How much food can one prawn devour in a day?
13 August 2009
The secret feeding habits of farmed prawns will be investigated as a part of a new CSIRO research collaboration with an Australian company to develop aquaculture technologies that could revolutionise the prawn farming industry.

The goal is to increase yields, enhance sustainability and improve the health and quality of aquaculture prawns by developing and applying the best high-tech marine Research and Development available.

“More efficient feeding of prawns will reduce cost, waste and potential contamination of the environment around farms from nutrient rich effluent,” Dr Lee said.CSIRO Food Futures National Research Flagship Director Dr Bruce Lee said CSIRO was designing video and audio analysis techniques to automatically measure how much feed farmed prawns consume and how much they grow as a result.

“More efficient feeding of prawns will reduce cost, waste and potential contamination of the environment around farms from nutrient rich effluent,” Dr Lee said.

Food Futures Flagship Research Group Leader Dr Nigel Preston said the key to increasing prawn yields, and improving their health and quality is developing a better understanding of their feeding habits in farm ponds.

“To achieve this we are developing software which uses mathematical algorithms to analyse prawn consumption and growth patterns,” Dr Preston said.

CEO of Hobart-based marine aquaculture technology company AQ1 Systems Ross Dodd said that “from the perspective of the technology used to farm prawns, the industry is currently back where the salmon industry was 15 years ago”.

“The demand for farmed prawns is expected to increase rapidly, but the industry is still heavily reliant on manual labour and unsophisticated feed management systems,” Mr Dodd said.

This research involves developing software to analyse the sound prawns make when they eat.

CSIRO’s Information and Communication Technologies Centre’s Dr Stephen Giugni said this sound is a bit like hearing oil popping in a pan.

“While still at an early stage, we hope this audio information will reveal many aspects of prawn behaviour, including which feed the prawns prefer and how the biomass moves around a pond throughout the day,” Dr Giugni said.

Apart from establishing a technology platform with potential application across many types of aquaculture, this partnership should generate significant revenue for an Australian small business and add around $20 million per year to the Australian prawn industry’s profits.

”If the technology proves viable, this partnership is well positioned to revolutionise the prawn farming industry not only in Australia, but internationally,” Mr Dodd said.

AQ1 will receive investment funds of more than one million dollars through CSIRO’s Australian Growth Partnership program, which is designed to provide capital to high potential small- to medium-size enterprises that have an alignment with CSIRO’s Flagship programs.

National Research Flagships

CSIRO initiated the National Research Flagships to provide science-based solutions in response to Australia’s major research challenges and opportunities. The 10 Flagships form multidisciplinary teams with industry and the research community to deliver impact and benefits for Australia.

CSIRO’s ICT Centre has a specific focus on Flagship projects in Tasmania where operations are jointly funded by the Australian Government through the Intelligent Island Program.

Courtesy of the ABC

Scientists in New Zealand believe they have discovered what has been killing dogs on a number of beaches around Auckland.

Up to four dogs have died after a run on the beach, and many more have got sick. Scientists believe a highly toxic sea slug is to blame.

They tested the contents of the dog's stomachs and found the same compound which is carried by the slugs.

But the scientists still do not know why so much bird and marine life has been washing up on the city's beaches.

A lot of penguins and fish have been dying, but they don't eat sea slugs.

Mike Lee from Auckland's Regional Council believes pollution from dairy farming might be responsible.

"That much nutrient going into the gulf is bound to cause some effects in terms of weird and wonderful toxic algal responses," he said.

Signs have been put up warning Aucklanders to keep their children and pets off several beaches.

 Found this last night in a UK website,www.fishupdate.com  that I receive email alerts from and found this little entry, seems that the West Australian Politcians should possibly read this and have a rethink on the proposals, that are to be tabled next month in Parliament.

Jim.

Sea angling success                                                                     Published:  29 July, 2009

The importance of the Scottish sea angling sector and its potential for further growth has been revealed today in a report commissioned by the Scottish Government.

The study, the Economic Impact of Recreational Sea Angling in Scotland, has shown the sector to be a strong employer and healthy contributor to the economy.

According to the report, sea angling supports nearly 3,200 full-time jobs and is worth over £140 million to the Scottish economy.

On a visit to Luce Bay in the Solway Firth, highlighted as one of the most important local centres for sea angling, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, said:

"This is yet another example of the vital importance of our marine environment to the sustainable economic growth of Scotland. This groundbreaking report shows that the popular sport of sea angling lands thousands of jobs and tens millions of pounds for Scotland.

"The report has found that sea anglers spend some £140 million annually and that the sector supports household incomes totalling £70 million.

"Our beautiful and diverse coast and seas, as well as our many high quality coastal tourist businesses, offer a tremendous amount to sea anglers. The Scottish Government is very keen to safeguard the sport's success and to investigate how best it may develop in future".

The study contains detailed information on regional expenditure and participation, both by resident and visiting sea anglers.

Luce Bay and Portpatrick, both in the Solway Firth area, have been identified as the most popular sites.

The report was commissioned by the Scottish Government and carried out by Glasgow Caledonian University.

Licence funds business rules proposed by Recfishwest



Recfishwest has been working hard to ensure that money raised by recreational fishing licences is spent to benefit recreational fisheries.



Proposed business rules for the expenditure of licence revenue through the Recreational Fishing Fund (RFF) provide a framework for a transparent and robust administration and allocation process for the revenue.



It is vitally important that recreational fishers have the greatest say on what should and shouldn't be funded out of the RFF. The government should continue to fund core activities.



ABC Stateline will interview Recfishwest's Kane Moyle about this. 7:30pm Friday, repeated 12 noon Saturday on ABC1.



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

at all in the South Western Times today with front page showing Hrimnir Benediktson and Suzanne Bairstow promoting the  ban all fishing except dipping for Alfalfa shoots " Save Our Marine Life" roadshow along with some of the usual spiel from JSJ. I wonder if Hrimnir remembers where all those pickled herrings he ate as a kid came from? Soy beans perhaps. I will go along and have a look when it gets to Busselton and partake of the Free Sustainable Fish BBQ. Best to know your enemy i suppose.

Environment Minister Donna Faragher said the State Government has invested more than $700,000 in providing three new boats to step-up the management of three Western Australian marine parks.

Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) has taken delivery of the three vessels which will boost the agency’s marine wildlife protection operations.

The first is a 5.8 metre rigid inflatable Naiad, which will be the main operational vessel in the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park off Rockingham.

Costing $145,000 and built by Kirby marine in Henderson, the boat has been named ‘Kgaiup Spirit’ (pronounced ‘Ky-up’), which means ‘water spirit’, a name gifted by Noongar cultural advisors Violet Newman and Dino Dempster.

“‘Kgaiup Spirit’ will be used for general marine park patrols, educating park users and for responding to injured animals such as seals,” the Minister said.

“It will also be used during diving operations to monitor the condition of the park’s marine plants and animals and for other operations such as maintenance of zone markers.”

The two other vessels are 9.3 metre catamarans, each built at a cost of $280,000 by Elite Marine, also of Henderson.

One has been stationed in the Marmion Marine Park that surrounds Hillarys Boat Harbour, while the other replaces the department’s existing Nature Protection Branch boat.

Marmion Marine Park was the State's first declared marine park and due to its proximity to the Perth metropolitan area, has the highest visitation of all of the State's marine parks. The vessel named ‘LaKela’ (Noongar for ‘dolphin over water’) will also patrol around Carnac Island and the Swan Estuary Marine Park.

The third vessel, named ‘Pseudorca III’ after the false killer whale, will be used for a range of wildlife management operations State-wide including monitoring marine wildlife tour operators, responding to marine animal rescues including whale and dolphin entanglements and strandings, shark hazard management, and sea search and rescue as required.

Mrs Faragher said that the new boats were tangible evidence of the State Government’s commitment to providing resources for existing marine parks.

“This commitment will substantially improve DEC’s capacity to deliver the objectives contained in the management plan for, and new zoning system in, the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park for nature conservation, public enjoyment, education and sustainable use,” she said.

The Minister also recently announced the creation of the Walpole-Nornalup Inlets Marine Park, the first marine park off the State’s south coast.

Recfishwest advertises for Regional Policy Officer



Recfishwest has placed a job advertisement for an extra staff member, a Regional Policy Officer, on page 95 of Saturday's West Australian.



More details are on the RFW website at http://www.recfishwest.org.au/RegionalPolicyOfficerAdvertisement2009.htm



Watch this forum for more announcements about coming Recfishwest changes.



TerryF

=====

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

Went into the Tackle Shack last week and was talking to Doug and Matt about wanting a heavier release weight for trying to get some of these bigger fish down better/quicker.

Didnt think much else about it until I recieved a call yesterday to say come pick one up. They had rang their supplier who had gotten onto it straight away. The supplier had a few thoughts but ended up using one of his existing 120oz moulds and was able to do it without destroying what he had making it a cheaper option. He was able to use the existing lip hook as per the other sizes so its locked firm into the lead.

Have added a couple of pics to show the size of it compared to the 20,40 and 80oz as well as one on its own.

Best part is the guys have said if anyone else wants one they can get them in and as with their other sizes the release weights are at cost price.

Would be perfect for releasing the big cod up North or for Big Dhuies etc off Perth.

Sorry this is not fishing related, but I thought it may be of interest to some members.

AUSTRALIA TO REACH 22 MILLION IN LATE 2009
The economy may be at a standstill but Australia’s national population continues to grow at record-setting rates. Social Demographer Mark McCrindle explains how we’re expanding and identifies our growth hot spots.
22 MILLION BEFORE CHRISTMAS!
After the country’s national population clock ticked over to 21 million on June 29, 2007 – just over two years ago – Australia now looks set to hit 22 million around December 5, 2009. That’s an extra 1 million people in under two-and-a-half years!
Australia’s population reached 11 million in 1963 so it will have taken 46 years to double it to 22 million. However it looks likely to double again in just over 40 years.
“These population records have surprised even experienced demographers. In 1998 the Australian Bureau of Statistics forecast a national population in 2051 of 23.5 million, up to a maximum of 26.4 million. However, if these new growth rates remain constant then Australia will have more than doubled its population by mid-century with a population exceeding 44 million” states Mark
McCrindle.
MORE NOTCHES IN OUR BELT
In conjunction with several other record figures, Australia’s population reached 21.6 million at the year ending December 31, 2008.

Total national population: 21,643,987

Largest ever increase: 406,083

Largest ever births: 296,610

Highest immigration (NOM): 253,415

Fastest ever growth rate: 1.91%
 Lowest ever death rate: 6.03 per 1000
“These record breaking numbers combine to give the perfect storm of population growth. The highest number of births ever, combined with the
lowest death rate ever, set a new natural increase record. Additionally record immigration levels boost our population growth rate by almost two-thirds” writes Mark McCrindle. “While an annual population growth rate of 1.91% doesn’t sound huge, it equates to one new Canberra, two new Hobart’s or three new Darwin’s per year.”
Population Growth Rate by State/Territory
WA QLD NT VIC ACT NSW SA TAS
3.09 2.52 1.95 1.95 1.69 1.40 1.16 0.99
Source: McCrindle Research/ABS
NUMBERS UP NORTH
· The top 3 population growth rates are from the northern-most states
· Three of the top 4 TFRs were generated by the northern-most states
· More men (114,943) than women (106,739) reside in NT
MOVEMENT TO THE WEST
· WA has the highest growth rate of all the states and territories (3.09)
· 1 in 10 Australians reside in WA (2,204,040)
· There are more men (1,117,090) than women (1,086,950) in WA
RISING IN THE EAST, BUT STEADY DOWN SOUTH
· 1 in 3 Australians reside in NSW (7,041,393)
· 1 in 4 reside in VIC (5,364,796)
· 1 in 5 reside in QLD (4,349,529)
· More people live in Sydney (4,399,722) than in all of QLD
· If Sydney was in the USA, it would be their 10th largest city
· The lowest growth rates were in TAS (0.99) and SA (1.16)
“Western Australia has now joined the Northern Territory in breaking the mandrought. In every other state and territory, women outnumber men.
Additionally it seems that Tasmanians are working on a solution for their very low population growth rate of 0.99%. While they have the lowest growth rate of any state, they have the highest fertility rate of any state!” observes Mark McCrindle.
Migration nation
Even with the largest ever number of births on record, natural increase only accounted for around one-third of our growth (152,668), with migration accounting for two-thirds of growth (253,415).
“Traditionally the strongest contributor of Australia’s population growth has been natural increase rather than net migration. However for the last five years the national population has been boosted more by migration than natural increase” states Mark McCrindle. “Yet both growth factors are important because while migration gives a better immediate boost to the labour force and consumption than natural increase, it does less to counteract the ageing population and associated long-term consumer demand declines than births, as the median age of a migrant almost mirrors the rising national median age of 37”.
Sources: McCrindle Research, ABS.
www

See article below, more details in mondays west page 3. In summary, the important part lies in the fact that several MPs are mentioned as having only received one or 'a few' complaints either by phone or email (some have received NO complaints?!? come on guys, there's no point us all grumbling into our beards about it. if we dont have our say we have to just shut up and deal with whats decided for us. perhaps people who know/care can post the details of their local MP? surely its worth a call or email to have your opinion counted..?) cheers

Anger grows over WA fishing fees
20th July 2009, 6:45 WST

Fisheries Minister Norman Moore faces pressure from Liberal backbenchers fielding complaints over plans to charge anyone who fishes from a boat a fee of up to $180 a year.

Murray-Wellington MP Murray Cowper said he outlined his concerns about the policy to Mr Moore after being inundated with complaints from constituents. He had offered his contacts within the industry but was not consulted before the announcement.

“They’re not happy about it,” he said. “Emails, probably about a dozen, phone calls — about the same, but in person just about everyone I know.

“I’m getting all these inquiries from people and apart from the media release that was put out, that’s all I know.

“What’s the $150 a year going to be spent on? Are they going to put on more fisheries inspectors? Are they going to have some sort of a breeding program? I think it’s pretty poor timing.”

Wanneroo MP Paul Miles said he had had only one complaint from a constituent but was aware of the backlash some colleagues faced. He agreed with the policy but said backbenchers should have had more information.

“When I first saw the changes in the newspaper, I did think it was a fairly major policy not to have been given some upfront briefing,” he said.

“Whether that has slipped by because of needing to get legislation through Parliament before the winter recess, I don’t know, and I’ll give everybody the benefit of the doubt, because most of the other ministers, when they have policy changes that are anything major, they always give us a call and brief us.”

His concerns were backed by another backbencher, who did not want to be named. “I have heard there are some things that people want to have a look at and I think that’s fair and reasonable,” the MP said.

Another two Liberal MPs who would not go on the record shared concerns about the fees.

Carine MP Tony Krsticevic, who has had only one complaint despite having Marmion Angling Club in his electorate, believes he has enough information. His challenge was “how we inform the public and get the message through”.

He said it was important to convince people that money raised by the fees would go back to research declining fish stocks.

Geraldton MP Ian Blayney said he had a “reasonable number of grumbles” but as a farmer he was frustrated that people were not convinced of the need to reduce pressure on the fishery.

“If people don’t accept the science, they’re never going to accept the measures that the Government has to introduce to protect the stocks,” he said. “I don’t have much doubt that there’s more pressure on the fisheries all the time.”

Ocean Reef MP Albert Jacob said he expected uproar within his electorate but had not received a single phone call about the fee.

Mr Moore could not be contacted yesterday.

PERTH
YASMINE PHILLIPS, PETER KERR

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuId=77&ContentID=152876

One of WA’s most prominent scientists and a former Department of Fisheries researcher say the new fishing restrictions will not protect WA’s vulnerable fish species properly.

Professor Jessica Meeuwig, director of the University of WA Centre for Marine Futures, said new fees for recreational fishermen on boats to pay up to $180 a year were a “big positive” given a past general resistance to the management of recreational fishing.

But she said Fisheries Minister Norman Moore should have created marine sanctuaries, arguing big “no-take” areas were the only way to protect dwindling fish stocks.

At the very least, the Government should have proceeded with former minister Jon Ford’s planned summer ban on taking demersal scalefish.

Instead, the Government has banned fishing for these species from October 15 to December 15 from Kalbarri to Augusta.

It is aimed to halve the catch of popular species such as dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper.

“The seasonal closures are unlikely to protect the big, old, fat females,” Professor Meeuwig said. “It has probably not gone far enough. We really need to face the fact that those bans are going to be required.”

Her concerns were shared by Jill St John, co-author of the Department of Fisheries research paper the previous government used to introduce summer bans on high-risk fish.

Dr St John said protected sanctuaries were essential and Mr Moore’s October-December closure missed the critical dhufish spawning season.

Mr Moore delaying the bans for two independent studies was likely to have led to dhufish stocks being plundered over the past year, she said.

Mr Ford said a $30 annual licence fee for anyone using a boat to fish recreationally was a grab for revenue.

He said he was told 18 months ago the fishery could collapse and Mr Moore was now being forced to “play catch-up” because of delays in halving the recreational catch.

Mr Moore said all money raised from licences would go into a recreational fishing trust fund and be spent on managing recreational fishing.

Australian Anglers Association WA president Pat Shinnick said yesterday recreational fishers were stunned by the new demersal scalefish licences, which cost $20 for a day, $60 for a fortnight or $150 a year.

An annual demersal scalefish licence of $45 should have been introduced. “It is victimising those who are able to afford to go fishing,” he said.

Mr Shinnick said the timing of the two-month ban was political given it would miss the spawning period.

BEN SPENCER

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuId=77&ContentID=153053

Concern over an unexplained slump in WA’s rock lobster stocks will take Department of Fisheries scientist Simon de Lestang on a three-month journey around the world looking for answers.

   

Dr de Lestang is one of 13 West Australians to be awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship this week. The award, presented by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, allows recipients to travel overseas and make contacts with the best in their field and build Australia’s knowledge pool.

   

The 36-year-old scientist said he was inspired to apply for a share of the $2.6 million fellowship after Fisheries’ annual sampling program found that the rock lobster juvenile settlement for 2007-08 was unusually
low, despite predictions that all the environmental factors affecting breeding stock were on target for a good year.

   

Factors such as the strength of the Leeuwin current and water temperatures played an important role in determining the survival and settlement of larval lobsters.

   

Dr de Lestang said it was too early to tell if the poor settlement was an anomaly but it was important to make sure the fishery was being managed appropriately.

   

He will visit universities and research institutes in the US, Mexico and Cuba.

   

“If we cannot do anything about it and it does continue along the same lines of recruitment, then we may have to rejig the whole industry,” Dr de Lestang said

TIFFANY FOX

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuId=77&ContentID=153770

Charter boat and tourist fishing operators say the new compulsory fee for anyone who fishes from a boat could cripple businesses.

Recreational fishers must pay an annual $30 licence fee if they fish from a boat under State Government charges announced last week.

Operators from Kalbarri to Augusta also would be included in bans on taking demersal scalefish such as dhufish and pink snapper from mid-October to mid-December. Catching those fish in the region in the rest of the year requires an additional west coast demersal scalefish licence.

Charter Boat Owners and Operators Association president Rick Reid said yesterday operators already paid an annual fishing tour licence.

“We are questioning why recreational fishers should pay a boat fishing licence fee when they go on a charter when the vessel is already licensed for a fishing tour,” he said.

Members were concerned that the added fees would deter people from taking tours and there would be flowon effects for businesses that supplied charter operators. The association was seeking a meeting with Fisheries Minister Norman Moore.

Kimberley Kayak Fishing owner Gregg Davey said the $30 boat fishing fee would increase the cost of a twohour fishing session in a kayak, which is considered a boat, by 30 per cent.

The Broome operator said the price rise would cripple demand. “It will have a major impact on my profit,” he said. “It is not that it would be difficult, I simply can’t afford it.”

Most customers were tourists and once-only fishers. Most fish caught were popular game fish such as tuna, mackerel, cobia and barramundi, so most were released. He currently paid $715 a year for a fishing tour licence.

Mr Moore said yesterday the new fees were part of a package designed to achieve a 50 per cent cut in the recreational catch of at risk demersal scalefish, so he would not consider exemptions for tour operations.

JODIE THOMSON

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuId=77&ContentID=154729

Researchers will undertake a major study of popular fishing species such as herring, tailor and whiting after concerns about growing pressure on those stocks.

The research follows tough new rules for catching demersal species such as pink snapper and dhufish from Augusta to Kalbarri, which could lead to more fishing for nearshore species.

Department of Fisheries scientist Brett Molony said researchers were trying to get a better understanding of the status of the stocks, breeding variations andmigratory patterns to better manage any changes in recreational fishing.

“With changes to recreational fishing for demersal species in the West Coast, we expect that some people will just stop fishing and others will fish elsewhere,” Dr Molony said.

“We suspect that some of that shift will be in that same West Coast bioregion and the obvious choice will be near shore.”

A $660,000 research boost from the State Government into coastal finfish species would form the basis of a long-term monitoring program for key species along the west and south coasts.

Dr Molony said researchers expected to have an update on the status of those stocks in 12 months.

They would also have a clearer indication of key factors influencing stocks, such as currents and fishing.

Researchers will work with key fishing bodies and universities to collect data and set up sampling programs for near-shore species.

Recfishwest executive director Frank Prokop said the group welcomed the research as long as it involved recreational fishers and led to workable management outcomes.

The group was most concerned that the greatest extra pressure was likely to go on to trevally and King George whiting, so research should target those species.

He said more urgent research was needed on dhufish stocks.

JODIE THOMSON

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=155193

14th July 2009, 11:30 WST A Carlisle man was fined more than $65,000 in the Perth Magistrate’s Court yesterday after admitting he illegally purchased greenlip abalone.

Leung Wang Kong pleaded guilty to buying more than 60kg of abalone in three separate transactions.

The abalone was not taken by a commercial fishing licence holder.

Mr Leung’s restaurant, the Collie Golden Eagle Chinese Restaurant, was also charged with purchasing 35 black bream and 31 herring and failing to make a record of the purchase, a requirement under Fisheries Department regulations.

Under the Fish Resources Management Act, the mandatory penalty for purchasing greenlip abalone is based on 10 times the prescribed value of the fish, by weight or per fish.

Strategic compliance manager Tina Thorne said WA’s commercial abalone fishery benefited from a high demand and price on international markets, but required careful management and enforcement of laws to ensure breeding stocks were not endangered.

PERTH
LISA CALAUTTI

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=155307

15th July 2009, 6:30 WST

Feral goldfish up to 45cm long and weighing 2kg are on the increase in South-West rivers and waterways, wreaking environmental havoc after being freed from home ponds.

Last month, scientists eradicated 500 giant goldfish in billabongs off the Warren River, between Northcliffe and Pemberton.

Goldfish are a threat to native fish because they prey on spawn, introduce parasites and help algal blooms flourish through their bottom-feeding habits.

The feral goldfish have been discovered in 10 river systems and wetlands in WA, including a big population in Busselton’s Vasse River.

More than 200 have been removed from the holiday town’s main river for the past three years because they thrive in the poor quality, high nutrient water.

The fish are stunned with an electronic device and scooped up, or the water is drained in small waterways.

Murdoch University’s centre for fish and fisheries research scientists David Morgan and Stephen Beatty have done extensive work to eradicate feral fish.

Dr Morgan urged people not to release the common goldfish from home ponds or aquariums.

“You should not be introducing any fish that isn’t native,” he said. Dr Morgan said goldfish and carp could now be found from Moore River to parts of the Warren River.

Dr Beatty said a co-ordinated program was needed to tackle feral fish in WA.

At least 13 species of introduced “feral” fish, including carp, mosquito fish, one-spot livebearers and guppies, had now been found in WA, mainly in the South-West, he said.

GEORGIA LONEY

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=157&ContentID=151521
The Department of Fisheries recently held its second prize draw for those fishos who have contributed skeletons (frames) of West Australian dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper in order that vital research work on the species can be carried out.



There were three lucky winners — Geoff Watson scored a Leatherman, Peter Salamone won a $100 Bluewater Tackle voucher and, best of all, schoolboy Perry Francis won a $100 tackle voucher for donating a dhufish frame.



A frame is the skeleton of the fish, from head to tail, as well as its guts and gonads, which are left behind after filleting. Some fishers use frames as compost in their garden or to make a tasty fish stock, but plenty of us simply chuck them away.



This is a pity because frames hold detailed data about a fish — information that can be compiled and used to decide the status of stocks of these bottom-dwelling (what scientists call demersal) finfish and the future management of the fishery based upon them.



Fisheries scientists need more help from fishos on the west coast to be able to monitor the sustainability of demersal fish species.



As many fishos now realise, West Australian dhufish and baldchin groper are only found in WA. So, not only are these fish important to fishers, they are also a very important part of the marine eco-system.



Researcher David Fairclough says that it is really important for recreational fishers to provide more fish frames, so that we can produce robust assessments of the status of stocks of these indicator species and therefore the west coast demersal scalefish fishery as a whole. Dr Fairclough and the department’s finfish research team thank all the people and fishing clubs who donate frames regularly. “After a few years, the ongoing monitoring program will allow us to determine whether the changes to management are having a positive effect on stocks,” he said.



The final prize draw for frames handed in during 2008-09 takes place next month (for fish caught before June 30). First prize is a Calcutta reel and a Monster Mesh rod, with runners up winning $250 and $100 vouchers. Each frame handed in gains an entry to the draw. , From July 1, the process starts again, with 500 dhufish and pink snapper frames needed from the metropolitan, Mid-West and southern
regions, along with 500 baldchin groper frames from the Mid-West during 2009-10. Prize draws will be held every three months.



For more information on how and where to donate dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper frames and to see if the targets have been reached, go to the Department of Fisheries website at www.fish.wa.gov.au and click on the “Send us your skeletons” icon on the front page.



Let’s all help the fish scientists help out some of our favourite fish species, so there are fish for the future.



For those young fishos who would like to learn more about sustainable fishing, the department’s Fisheries Volunteers are running fishing workshops in Mandurah (under the old Mandurah Bridge) on Wednesday, July 8, and Wednesday, July 15. Numbers are limited, so booking is essential. Contact the department’s metropolitan community education officer on 9432 8023. Children must be accompanied by a guardian.



For the coming school holidays also check out the special fish-related activities at the Naturaliste Marine Discovery Centre. Go to www.nmdc.com.au for details.
GLEN JAKOVICH

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=157&ContentID=153144

Every week, young people from schools in WA visit the Department of Fisheries’ Naturaliste Marine Discovery Centre and take part in a practical lesson on how to dissect a fish.
What they aredoing is one of the most basic and important tasks carried out in fisheries research. In order to set up computer modelling of the make up of fish populations, scientists first have to get their hands dirty, or at least a bit bloody.

One of the ways in which fisheries scientists can tell if the stock of a particular fish species is healthy is to look at the numbers of fish of different ages in that group.

The technical term for the numbers of fish of different ages within a stock is called the “age structure”. With species that have varying degrees of success in spawning or of young fish surviving to join the breeding stock, there can be big gaps in the age structure. In other words, there may be few fish of a certain age and more that are either younger or older.

Knowledge of the age structure is important, because if the fish is a popular recreational or commercial target, this means that heavy fishing, combined with a period of low numbers of fish joining the breeding stock, could lead to the population being “fished down”, possibly to the extent that it is hard for it to recover.

Being able to tell the ages of the fish in a population is therefore vital to scientists, but how do they do it?

The simple answer is fish dissection, which not only provides the fish’s age (usually to a specific age in years) but also lots of other handy information, such as gender, spawning condition, what it has been feeding on and even, through further analysis, what water conditions the fish experienced during its life.

Fish inner-ear bones, called otoliths, show bands or rings that, like the rings in a tree stump, represent one year of growth. By extracting the otoliths, slicing them with a high-precision saw and examining the cross-section under a microscope, scientists can count the bands and work out the exact age of the fish.

They can also conduct chemical analysis of the sections to work out other stuff, such as whether the fish lived in an estuary earlier in its life.

At this point, you may be thinking: “Fish ears? Fish don’t have ears.”

Well, not on the outside like us, but inside their head they do. The ear bones function much as those of the human inner ear, playing a role in hearing and balance.

Extracting the ear bones requires skill for some species but for many fish, such as Australian herring, it is something that kids (and their mums and dads) can learn to do. I have learnt how to do it and regularly help in centre demonstrations.

It is an interesting exercise, though admittedly rather messy.

With the school holidays just started, there is an opportunity to give fish dissecting a go, among a number of other interactive, educational and fun sessions being run at the centre, on the north side of Hillarys Boat Harbour. Come down and peer through the windows at the scientists working with otoliths.

Bookings are essential for school holiday activities, most of which cost $12 per child (which includes entry) and a minimum age can apply.

Phone 9203 0339 for more details or visit www.nmdc.com.au.

GLEN JAKOVICH

Department of Fisheries researchers have helped bring the critically endangered hairy Margaret River marron back from the verge of extinction.

Fisheries Minister Norman Moore said it was gratifying that expert efforts had helped preserve the diversity of the marron species, a freshwater crustacean unique to Western Australia.

“Concerns about the displacement of hairy marron in Margaret River by the more common smooth marron that had escaped into the river and hybridised the two types have risen over the past few years,” Mr Moore said.

In 2005, the Department of Fisheries obtained a South West Catchments Council grant to collect hairy marron and established a breeding program with more than 1,500 wild marron collected from the river.

University of WA researchers helped develop a DNA test that distinguished between pure hairy marron and hybrids. DNA fingerprinting showed that only 15 per cent of the collected specimens were pure hairy marron, the rest were smooth marron hybrids.

As a result, 230 hairy marron were used to establish a genetic repository of the critically endangered species at the Department of Fisheries Pemberton Freshwater Research Centre (PFRC).

“The research centre is the biggest freshwater hatchery in WA and its successful breeding program has reached the stage where we have enough hairy marron to allow restocking of the Margaret River,” the Minister said.

“This week more than 2,000 hairy marron juveniles will be tagged and released in what scientists say will start a recovery program that will see up to 10,000 hairy marron restocked to the Margaret River each year.

“This effort will help re-establish this species in its natural environment and prevent extinction.”

Mr Moore congratulated project leader Craig Lawrence, technical officer Chris Bird, PFRC hatchery manager Tony Church and UWA researchers Phil Vercoe and Emily Trainer for their hard work in saving the hairy marron.

Marine Parks and restricted fishing areas in WA - a reference list.

A question which comes up regularly, is "where can I get an overview, or a complete list, or an area list, of the Marine Parks, no fishing areas, etc in WA.??

The answer is:- this "big picture/big list" doesn't exist in any usable form that I have been able to find on a website anywhere.

So I have made up a page on the Recfishwest website "Marine Parks and restricted fishing areas in Western Australia - a reference list" http://www.recfishwest.org.au/MarineParks.htm

I originally intended to have diagrams and maps, starting with overviews and getting progressively more detailed, but most maps, zones, etc are only available in PDF files, not web images I could link to.

I have contacted DEC and hope to get a WA State overview map to use.

Many maps and zoning images are quite large and detailed. I could extract these into images for the RFW webpage, but that would complicate the maintenance and update of the page and introduce copyright issues.

It's better if people go to the "official" information sources as listed.

The page is still a "work in progress"

Any suggestions, comments, corrections or additions, please?

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

You need Recfishwest to look after your recreational fishing future.

Who else has time, knowledge, professional approach, realistic alternatives, willingness and contacts?

Become a member www.recfishwest.org.au/MembershipDet.htm

The Northern Territory Seafood Council says it is confident the Territory Government is not going to permanently close Fogg Bay to commercial barramundi fishing.

Photos of a mass saw fish kill prompted the Fisheries Minister, Kon Vatskalis, to close Finniss River, Bynoe Harbour and Fogg Bay to commercial fishing for 90 days in April.

The council's president, Rob Fish, says Mr Vatskalis has told him he is not considering shutting down Fogg Bay at this time.

Mr Fish says a "sweeping closure" does not provide protection to saw fish.

He says measures such as a legislated code of conduct are needed.

"What he did make a commitment to do, though, was to establish an advisory committee for the barramundi fishery.

"And as a priority, develop a strategic plan so that we would have some direction, so people would know where we're moving in the future."

Mr Vatskalis was not available for comment this morning.

A statement from his office says the Government is committed to buying back three commercial barramundi licences and the area of closure will be finalised once that is completed.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/03/2616044.htm

Remove the [temp] and add your own words. Remove CC: Hon. Jonathan (Jon) Robert Ford MLC JP if you are not sending a copy to Jon Ford.
*Dont forget your name and return postal address at the top right hand corner for his reply.
You can paste someone elses in if you wish. People can paste their letters below to assist others in their content.
----------- This goes on the envelope ------------
Honourable Norman Moore
Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Fisheries; Electoral Affairs
Address: 4th Floor, London House
216 St Georges Terrace
PERTH WA 6000
---------------------------> copy and paste into word<---------------------------
Honourable Norman Moore
Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Fisheries; Electoral Affairs
Address: 4th Floor, London House
216 St Georges Terrace
PERTH WA 6000
Telephone: 9422 3000
Fax: 9422 3001
e-Mail:
Dear Mr Moore
[Insert your queries and requests here. Copy and paste someone else’s and adapt]
Kind regards,
[Your name]
[Sign here]
Cc: Hon. Jonathan (Jon) Robert Ford MLC JP

Minister's and Researcher's demersal scalefish and licences media presentation.



I'm posting this in a separate thread so that it doesn't get buried in all the other posts in the other thread http://fishwrecked.com/node/23530



Minister Moore's demersal scalefish media presentation http://www.premier.wa.gov.au/Ministers/Norman-Moore/Pages/Video.aspx



Has Flash videos plus downloadable video and audio files. Some very enlightening comments in that presentation and Q&A session. Well worth a look and listen.



DEMERSAL SCALEFISH SCIENCE REVIEW PRESENTATION



Dr Brett Molony 2-July-2009



Department of Fisheries supervising scientist Brett Molony provides details of the research into Western Australia's recreational fisheries. Dr Molony repeats experts' warnings that the State's demersal fishery is in danger of collapse unless tough measures are taken to ensure its sustainability.



Download files



http://www.premier.wa.gov.au/Ministers/Norman-Moore/PublishingImages/video/molony_20090702_demersalScaleFishPresentation_256K.mp4 Video 9 minutes 16.5 Megabytes



http://www.premier.wa.gov.au/Ministers/Norman-Moore/PublishingImages/video/molony_20090702_demersalScaleFishPresentation_32K.mp3 Audio 2.1 Megabytes



NEW FISH LICENCES MANAGEMENT MEDIA CONFERENCE



Hon Norman Moore MLC 2-July-2009



Fisheries Minister Norman Moore outlines the new licence system to apply to Western Australia's recreational fishing sector and explains the State's Government's reasons for introducing a new management regime to protect the long-term sustainability of fish stocks under increased pressure.



Download files



http://www.premier.wa.gov.au/Ministers/Norman-Moore/PublishingImages/video/moore_20090702_%20demersalScalefishMediaConference_256K.mp4 Video 32 minutes 70 Megabytes



http://www.premier.wa.gov.au/Ministers/Norman-Moore/PublishingImages/video/moore_20090702_%20demersalScalefishMediaConference_32K.mp3 Audio 7.5 Megabytes



======



If you listen carefully to the first presentation at 2 mimutes 40 seconds you'll hear the statement "if the fish are pulled up from more than 20 or 30 metres and released, most of them are going to die anyway"



This continuing misrepresentation of survival data held by Fisheries Research has been represented in very strong terms to the Department of Fisheries.



For those interested, see Recfishwest's Media Release "Fascinating footage highlights benefits/how to use Release Weight" http://www.recfishwest.org.au/MediaStateReleaseWeightDVD.htm and



Release Weight DVD http://www.recfishwest.org.au/ReleaseWeightDVD.htm  and



Fisheries Research Report 191 - Maximising survival of released undersize west coast reef fish. Final report to Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on Project No. 2000/194 http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/frr/frr191/index.php?0401



TerryF

=====

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

Just wondering what its going to cost you and your family personally?

Seems it will cost me $180 to put the kayak in and fish , did someone mention something about crabbing fees ,not sure,,but add that if so.

Being single i have got off lightly,,if i paid it i will be spending less in the retail sector (tackle,camping stores etc)

How about your family ? I heard one figure of over $700 to put a line in so far.