queensland Ffsaq Newsletter

[rayke1938]

FFSAQ News -   30th January 2018

 

Please circulate this newsletter through your stocking group's email list.

 

Logan & Albert Fish Management Assoc (LAFMA) - Wyaralong Dam Carp/Tilapia Eradication comp, Sat 24th March 2018

The one day family fishing comp will be confined to Wyaralong Dam (up to Coulson Crossing on the Beaudesert Boonah Rd ). The dam is electric only, however outboard motors may be left on your boat. Fishing is from the shore, electric powered craft, or any form of person powered water craft. All net proceeds from the day will be returned to the dam in the form of Mary River cod & bass fingerlings. Entry forms, indemnity forms and flyer are available for download on LAFMA's web page: www.lafma.org

For more information, contact the assoc's secretary on 0429 614892

 

Boondooma Dam Yellowbelly Fishing Competition - 10-11th Feb 2018

Boondooma Dam Yellowbelly Fishing Competition spokesman Terry Allwood says that with the lake fishing extremely well the 2018 event should set new records in both the long standing gilled and gutted section, as well as in the catch and release component. Cash and other prizes will be presented at the end of each of the three sessions as well as overall competition winners at the conclusion of the event.

Profits from the event are used to supplement fishing permit funds from the Queensland Government and to date approximately 5 million fingerlings have been stocked into Lake Boondooma .

The catch and release category targeting Australian Bass and Yellowbelly is open to all anglers who nominate. This category has been made possible by the generous sponsorship of Stanwell and Swickers bacon factory.

The annual competition will be held on 10 and 11 February 2018. Entry costs for the February event will be $20 for adults and $5 for juniors aged 16 years and under.

The ongoing support of our many generous sponsors will ensure that a wide range of prizes and lucky draws are available for all competitors including a Boat ,Motor, Trailer package. Lucky draws are held at the end of each fishing session and at the Friday night

 

Murray Cod season opens - 1st December in NSW

Recreational fishers will again be able to target Murray cod, when the season opens on Friday, 1 December 2017, following the annual three month breeding closure.
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Senior Inland Fisheries Manager, Cameron Westaway said the native species, which is found in the Murray-Darling River system, is a prized catch as it’s the country’s largest freshwater fish.
“Every year a three month ban on taking, or attempting to take, Murray Cod in all inland waters other than Copeton Dam is put in place to protect this very important species during its breeding season,” Mr Westaway said.
“Since the closure was first introduced more than a decade ago there have been numerous reports of significant increases in Murray cod numbers.
“ Murray cod numbers have been boosted through government stocking programs including the dollar for dollar native fish stocking program. Over 920,000 were released last year and similar numbers of Murray cod are planned for release this season.”
The annual Murray cod season opens on Friday, 1 December, and fisheries officers will continue to monitor inland waterways, particularly during the holiday season, to ensure fishers follow all recreational fishing rules.
DPI’s Director of Fisheries Compliance, Patrick Tully said fishers will need to adhere to Murray cod possession limits, size limits and catch and release best practice.
“A daily bag limit of two Murray Cod per person per day and a total possession limit of four will apply when fishing in any inland waters,” Mr Tully said.
“Fishers are required to release Murray Cod which are smaller than 55 cm, or bigger than 75 cm, with the least possible harm.”
Other rules relating to the Murray cod include:
•  Set lines cannot be used in any inland waters and are totally prohibited.
•  Two attended lines may be used in all inland waters except some trout and closed waters, but these lines must be within 50 metres and in your line of sight.
•  Live finfish including carp, birds and mammals cannot be used as bait.

'Tis the season for sustainable Freshwater Fishing  - The Honourable Mark Furner MP
Queensland’s stocked impoundments are one of the best places to catch an iconic fish species this summer.

Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said many of Queensland ’s 63 dams and weirs on the Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS) were full and ready to be fished.

“Community-based fish stocking groups have been replenishing fish stocks with the release of freshwater fingerlings during December,” Mr Furner said.

“This is where you’ll catch an iconic freshwater species including barramundi, gold perch, silver perch, Australian bass, Mary River cod, Murray River cod or saratoga .”

Minister Furner said fishing at a SIPS impoundment was a sustainable fishing option.

“You will be helping to sustain native fish stocks, with funds from the sale of permits going back into restocking the dams and weirs,” he said.

“Most SIPS locations offer great facilities including camping, amenities and supplies, which make them a perfect option for family and friends to get out on the water over the holidays.

“Purchasing a stocked impoundment permit as a Christmas present can be a great gift idea as it will last the whole year.

“Enjoy the freshwater fishing experience this summer and don’t forget to keep your SIPS permit with you at all times.”

A weekly permit costs $10.00, $50.00 for an annual permit and $36.00 for a yearly concession permit, covering all 63 stocked impoundments across Queensland .

Fishers can purchase a stocked impoundment permit online at www.daf.qld.gov.au, over the phone at 1300 575 359 or at Australia Post outlets and sub-agents.

Minister Furner urged all fishers to dangle a line responsibly over the holidays to ensure sustainable fish stocks for future generations.

“Whether you’re fishing in tidal or freshwaters, take the time to familiarise yourself with the different rules and regulations including size and possession limits, how to correctly measure fish, fishing gear restrictions and closed seasons,” he said.

“Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers will be on the water over summer, talking to fishers about fishing and boating safety rules, and where needed, will enforce regulations.”

To report suspected illegal fishing activity, call the Fishwatch hotline on 1800 017 116.

Report of the capture of a Peacock Bass in the Pioneer River

Fisheries Queensland were notified of the capture of an adult Peacock Bass on 15 January 2018 from the Dumbleton Weir, in Mackay’s Pioneer River .

Peacock Bass are not known to exist in Queensland waters. This report appears to be the first confirmed capture of this species in Queensland waters.

Peacock Bass are considered non-indigenous fish under the Fisheries Act 1994. It is an offence under the Act to release non-indigenous fish into Queensland waters as it can have detrimental impacts to fish populations. 

Once pest fish like Peacock Bass, are established in a large, open waterway it can be very difficult to eradicate them.

Fisheries officers are assessing the report to understand the extent of the incursion. Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers have attended Dumbleton Weir today (17 January 2018) and observed no Peacock Bass.

Anglers that catch or spot Peacock Bass in the Pioneer River can help us by reporting the presence of this species to Fisheries Queensland by emailing photos to pestfish@daf.qld.gov.au or calling 13 25 23. Ensure the details of where the fish was sighted or captured are included when reporting the pest fish.

If caught, anglers should not return it to the water. Rather, kill it humanely and dispose of properly

The public plays an important role in helping stop the spread of these fish. Fisheries Queensland encourages the public to help by learning how to identify pest fish, not facilitating their spread between waterways and to report pest fish sightings. More information is available online at https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/fisheries/pest-fish.

Caring for your Local Block

Owning a rural block allows you to have the freedom to do whatever you want, but you also need to be prepared for the risks and how to manage them. Over 9 consecutive Tuesdays, starting on the 30th of January 2018, Gympie & District Landcare will provide an overview of common property management issues in the Gympie Region, and introduce you to local organisations that can help you achieve your goals. For more information and how to register please see the attached flyer. 

Find a Frog in February

The Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee (MRCCC) is conducting a Citizen Science program - "Find a Frog in February". The community will learn about what is happening to frogs in the Mary River catchment area and how frogs are responding to changes in the environment. There will be a number of workshops held in the Noosa & Gympie Council regions late January, early February for all those interested. For further information and resources you will need to begin you frog finding please click here.

Borumba Dam

Getting out on the water at Borumba Dam will be easier and safer this summer with the upgrade of the boat ramp complete.

Stage one of the upgrade was completed in August 2016 and involved replacing the old single lane ramp with a new double lane ramp and queuing area. Stage two was opened to the public in October 2017 and involved extending the concrete ramp to allow vessels to be launched at lower water levels.

The project was partly funded by the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing and a direct result of community feedback received during Seqwater’s Recreation Review in 2013-14. The new ramp, designed to Australian Standards and Department of Transport and Main Roads’ specifications, aims to reduce congestion issues and improve the launch area for boaties at this popular dam.

The future is looking bright for the Borumba Dam camp ground with new managers announced in November.

Tourist operators Ezy Adventures have been appointed as manager of the camp ground, following the temporary closure of the site after the initial successful tenderer withdrew from the process.

Brothers Terry and Peter Holliday of Ezy Adventures said they had big plans to turn the site into “something special”.

Seqwater is also making a significant investment towards refurbishing the camping facilities, installing more efficient water saving devices, and improving traffic management at the site.

It’s shaping up to be a cracking summer for visitors to Borumba Dam! Remember to check our recreation and safety notices before you leave home and always play it safe.

When is a Bream not a Bream ?

The industry's peak body is locked in a stoush with the Federal Government over the granting of a trademark which it says is "beyond belief".

The trademark in question is Kariba Bream. The problem? The fish is not bream at all, but tilapia — a species considered a pest in some parts of Australia .

"It is like calling a Holden a Ford, you just don't do it," said Jane Lovell, the chief executive of Seafood Industry Australia (SIA), which represents local producers.

"It's actually incredible to believe that one government agency could give away an iconic Australian fish name to a species that isn't Australian."

The company that sells Kariba Bream, Ivory Skies Pty Ltd, said it chose the name because in Africa , the species is "commonly known as bream".

Its website and packaging clearly state that the fish is tilapia from Indonesia , but the industry said the trademark should never have been approved.

"That's really bad for our fishers, and also really, really bad for our consumers [who] go in and buy what they think is a bream," Ms Lovell said.

"It's not a bream — it's a completely different species."

IP Australia approved the Kariba Bream trademark last year and said no objections were raised during the two-month period in which the application was pending.

The agency publishes a database of all trademarks, both current and pending, on its website. But the list is only accessible via a search function.

This means the only way the industry could have known about the Kariba Bream trademark prior to its approval would have been to search for it specifically.

"I think that's ridiculous," Ms Lovell said.

"I mean, to expect somebody to monitor a website … to look to see if there was an application for a trademark on a fish name.

The issue ties in with a broader campaign the industry is running to boost transparency and promote local products.

It wants country-of-origin labelling extended to seafood sold in restaurants, pubs and cafes.

"People want to know and they like to be educated, and it's not that hard to do with some sort of labelling," the chief executive of the Melbourne Seafood Centre, Barbara Konstas, said.

"I'm not against imported product, I just want people to understand they have a choice — and for that choice to be clear."

Ms Lovell said the move could help the local industry earn up to half a billion dollars extra each year.

"It's critical that we have that transparency so Australian consumers can support the Australian seafood industry — they can choose our products and enjoy them."

In a statement, IP Australia's Paula Adamson said, legally, a trademark application must be accepted unless there are grounds for rejection under the Trade Marks Act, and there were none in this case.

She said it was up to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to take action against companies if they engaged in misleading use of trademarks after their approval.

FFSAQ 2018 Event Calendar

Please find attached the FFSAQ 2018 Event Calendar confirmed year to date.

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Stocking Groups: please forward any local items of interest (fishing or stocking related) to me for inclusion in the next newsletter.

 

 

Lloyd Willmann

Media Officer

FFSAQ

 

Ph. 0429 614892

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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