Shades Fishing News

Peter Teakle from the Riverland Recreational Fisheries says it would be disappointing if the current ban on Murray cod continued next year.

The Conservation Council of South Australia held a meeting on Wednesday for the community to discuss the fish’s future with industry researchers and experts.

Mr Teakle says the fishing industry was not given enough warning about this year’s ban, which he says hurt some businesses financially.

“You’ve got a lot of the retailers getting a lot of lures and fishing equipment in ready for the cod season, only to be advised there’d be a full closure for 12 months,” he said.

“They were left with a lot of expensive stock on hand.

“I think it’s fair to everyone that if there’s going to be an extension of this ban, we’d want a couple of months’ notice.”

Source : ABC News

Future fish forecast: No ’scaling’ back on research

Teaching fish to fear predators, controlling invasive fish species and restoring the threatened jungle perch in the wild are among the first tasks to be undertaken at Bribie Island’s latest addition to the aquatic research fraternity.

Opened today, the Sustainable Fisheries Research Facility at Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries’ (QPIF) Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) will focus on freshwater fisheries research that will compliment innovative aquaculture projects already underway at the centre.

Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland, Tim Mulherin said the location of the new multi-million dollar facility would allow collaboration between aquaculture and wild fisheries research in south-east Queensland.

“BIRC’s status as one of the state’s elite aquatic research centres is boosted by the capa bilities of this new facility,” Mr Mulherin said.

“It will encourage scientists to share expertise between the two areas.

“The capabilities of this new facility will help us achieve our goals of sustainably managed fisheries and productive aquaculture industries.

“The gross value of production for aquaculture in Queensland is forecast at $85 million this year, which shows there is already huge demand for the growth of the industry,” he said.

Mr Mulherin said scientists at the Sustainable Fisheries Research Facility were also investigating habitat management, maintaining native species in the wild and ways of eradicating pest fish species.

“The freshwater fisheries research group, relocating from QPIF’s Southern Fisheries Centre to BIRC, will continue to focus on the control of pest fish, including carp and tilapia.

“These pest fish pose a significant threat to our native fish and their fisheries and the challenge of eradicating pest fish requires smart, technical approaches.

“Using judas fish to attract spawning aggregations of carp into large traps and automated feeding hoppers to attract carp into giant traps in warmer months is showing good promise.

“Scientists will also trial the techniques that have been successful with carp on tilapia, one of the world’s worst invasive fish,” Mr Mulherin said.

Animal science general manager Dr Greg Robbins said the work by QPIF scientists regarding fresh water fisheries will help to restore and maintain natural biodiversity in Queensland’s inland waterways.

“This work needs the combined efforts of aquaculture scientists and fisheries specialists.

“The co-location of QPIF aquaculture and fisheries scientists together at the Bribie facility will greatly assist this collaboration.

Dr Robbins said hatchery reared native fish often suffer the highest mortality rates shortly after being released into their natura l habitat.

“To help overcome this, collaborative studies within the facility will look at ’stranger danger’ lessons for young fish, where scientists teach juvenile native fish to fear and avoid predators,” he said.

“Scientists are teaching Murray cod, eel tail catfish and silver perch fingerlings to be wary of spangled perch, golden perch and larger Murray cod.

“If successful, the ’stranger danger’ program could help rebuild native populations of fish in the wild.

“Another BIRC project aims to reintroduce jungle perch in their traditional habitats in south-east Queensland and restore this popular angling fish to its former glory,” he said.

Dr Robbins said jungle perch breed in saltwater, but migrate as juveniles into freshwater to mature, and adults also return to freshwater after spawning.

“But high culverts, dams and weirs have blocked some migration routes back into freshwater, which has led to the fish disappearing from so many areas,” he said.

For more information on aquaculture and fisheries research in Queensland, go to the QPIF website at www.dpi.qld.gov.au or call the Business Information Centre on 13 25 23

THE Environmental Protection Authority is poised to make a decision on a penalty for Goulburn Murray Water for its involvement in hundreds of fish deaths in the Loddon River.

The water authority released an environmental flow into the river on March 10 for stock and domestic purposes, overflowing the Serpentine Weir.

The Salisbury West Landcare Group said they discovered “hundreds of dead native fish and carp” days later.

The EPA can fine organisations up to $240,000 for offences under pollution provisions of the Environment Protection Act.

An EPA investigation found between 100 and 120 dead fish including Murray cod, golden perch and European carp on March 16 about three kilometres from the Serpentine Weir.

The fish were found scattered over two kilometres.

EPA Bendigo manager Jeff Cummins said yesterday that the water authority had met with the EPA last week.

“We’ve now got a much better understanding on what went on, but a decision on any sort of penalty has to be made at the Melbourne office,” he said.

The Advertiser reported on April 8 that landowners were up in arms about the fish deaths.

“They should have never done it,” Salisbury West Landcare Group secretary John Vanston said at the time.

“Nobody was told about it.

“The river has been getting replenished with fish and then they go and do something like this.”

Source: Bendigo Advertiser

Landholders around the Wakool River System gave State Member for Murray-Darling John Williams a first-hand look at the desperate condition of the waterways recently.

Mr Williams met with members of Merran Creek Trust at landholder Geoff McDonald’s Woodleigh property to talk about the immediate concerns of the trust - ranging from the impacts of acid sulphate soil, salt intrusions being caused to Merran Creek and its surrounding environment landscape and wildlife, and why Section 323 of the Water Act is hampering farmers’ attempts to effectively make a living.

Mr Williams said it was critical that he met with the trust to get a first-hand look at the dire situation and to hear landholders’ concerns regarding the Wakool River System.

“It was honestly very sobering and horrific to see what was a beautiful and forging landscape next to Merran Creek . . . eaten away by lack of water because of conditions forced upon landholders under Section 323 of the Water Act,” Mr Williams said.

“Under the Act the Department of Water and Energy has imposed on irrigators, Merran Creek . . . has only received two `pulses’ of water . . . a year for the past two years.

“Due to the government imposing and enforcing the 323 temporary water restriction on the trust system, it enables the department, to the environment’s detriment, to close Merran Creek and disable the irrigators any form of irrigation.

“This then has severe ramifications to Merran Creek and the Wakool River System.

“There are increased fish kills, huge salt intrusions into the creek, and the build-up of acid sulphate soil which kills trees and the reproduction of crayfish.

“The lack of water has also seen the diminishing of massive amounts of bird life and kills to Murray cod,” he said.

Mr Williams briefly met with South Australia River Murray Minister and Water Security Minister Karlene Maywald.

While acknowledging that the South Australian Government might call on NSW for water if there was low rainfall during the next financial year, Mr Williams said it was imperative however that if this happened the constituents in the MurrayDarling electorate and their water needs did not suffer in the process.

Source : Country News

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) intends to keep Lake Mulwala open for anglers despite a planned lowering of the Lake’s water level in late April to control an invasive aquatic weed.

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority, in conjunction with Goulburn-Murray Water, has planned the lowering of the water level to control the spread of an Egeria densa, commonly known as dense waterweed.

NSW DPI Senior Fisheries Manager Inland, Cameron Westaway, said he had received a number of enquiries from concerned anglers regarding the impact of the lowering of Lake Mulwala.

“They wanted to know what effect this would have on the Murray cod fishery and whether we would instigate a fishing closure,” he said.

“NSW DPI is not going to implement a fishing closure on the lake as the fishing is good at this time of year regardless of the lowering.”

Mr Westaway said access would be somewhat restricted, and provided anglers stick to bag and size limits, NSW DPI did not believe that fishing posed a serious risk to Murray cod populations in the Lake.

“Lake Mulwala is our premier Murray cod fishery and we are committed to ensuring its sustainability,” he said.

Fisheries Officers will be monitoring the situation and if anyone sees any illegal activity they should report it on (02) 6042 4204 or 0419 185 548.

Anglers are reminded that the size limit for a Murray cod has increased from 55cm to 60cm when the annual Murray Cod season started in December last year.

There is a daily bag limit of two Murray cod per person a day and a total possession limit of four from either rivers or dams. The minimum legal length of Murray cod is 60cm, but anglers can keep only one fish of more than 100cm in length.

Detailed information on freshwater fishing rules can be found at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/regulations and in the NSW DPI freshwater fishing guide.

These are available from NSW DPI Fisheries offices and most places where NSW recreational fishing licenses are sold.

Source: The Land farmonline.com.au

THE patchy rainfall did not put off the eager Leslie Dam campers over the Easter long weekend with ample fish for a Good Friday feast.

Washpool Camping Reserve manager Peter Guy said fishing was excellent this year with several fishermen catching their bag limit of yellow bellies.

“The biggest Murray Cod caught was nearing up to 40 pounds with hundreds of campers enjoying themselves here,” Mr Guy said.

“We recorded rainfall of 11mm out here on Saturday.

“Hundreds of campers came to Warwick this Easter weekend from everywhere and far away as South Australia and Western Australia - a lot of people come here because it’s an affordable holiday in hard times.”

Mr Guy said campers did everything they could to keep cosy in the wet weather.

“Campers kept warm by burning firewood in excess of 200 tonnes,” he said.

“I personally noticed over the years the average camp comprises of a lot of caravans and trailers.

“There was no outrageous behaviour this year - the new rock fence was a great idea and it stops hooligans from driving around the camp area.”

Mr Guy said kids had a great time with the hunt for Easter Eggs on Sunday.

“Some adults enjoyed it too,” he joked.

Marie and Vince Manthey from Caloundra said they enjoyed camping at Leslie Dam.

“We have been coming here every Easter for 10 years now but it has never rained before,” Mrs Manthey said.

“I enjoyed the rain - this is real camping.

“God willing we will still be coming to camp at Leslie Dam for the next 10 years.”

Sandhya Shetty

Source : Warwick Daily News

Rod Mackenzie at Codmac Fishing Lures last newsletter just stated that they have a special on over Easter with spinnerbaits, and have dropped the price.

Probably won’t last long, so now looks like the time to pick up your favourite

Personally, I’m going for the White codmac lure this coming Easter. Looks like just the ticket for a large murray cod!

here’s hoping I get to give it a good wurl at the Murray Monsters Fishing trip!

The Rod Mackenzie “Cod Mac” fishing site has yet another interesting article on a recent fish rescue at Merran Creek near Swan Hill. Seventy seven Murray cod - some up to 1.2 metres long - as well as golden and silver perch have so far been rescued, the DPI and locals blaming water levels in the creek.

It was great to read local property owners were the ones to raise the alarm, but it would be even better that fisheries themselves were making sure they were looking out for these situations, and if underfunded making people aware that something needs to be done about the situation that is leaving them short staffed, and our native fish in peril.

Local fisherman and conservationists will be very pleased to know that Nagambie Angling Club members were part of the restocking of native fish into the Goulburn River and Nagambie Lakes system recently.

The anglers released some of the fingerlings at Kirwan’s Bridge on Sunday 15 March and also took part in a Fisheries Victoria project of releasing golden perch and Murray cod hatchlings into the Goulburn River on Wednesday 18 March.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Seymour Labor MP Ben Hardman, was present at the release of the 230,000 small fish and joined the Angling Club’s secretary Wally Cubbin and Fisheries Victoria’s Russell Strongarm in releasing some of the fish from a small boat on the Goulburn River at Mitchelton. Bruce Wilson, from Fisheries Victoria, delivered the hatchlings in their fish tanks from a hatchery near Narrandera to the river site.

“The release of the fish signals a welcome return of the stocking of native fish,” Mr Hardman said.

“In total, more than 250,000 perch and Murray cod will be released this year into the Lakes region, including Lake Nagambie, Goulburn Weir and the adjoining Goulburn River and backwaters.”

“With fishing in the Lakes on the increase and thanks to the hard work of the Nagambie Angling Club, stocking has resumed in this area for the first time in fifteen years. Similar numbers of fish to those introduced today will be released into these waters for another four years.”

Mr Hardman added, “The Nagambie Lakes area is close to large population centres and provides good access to all types of anglers. It is hoped that the many waters of Nagambie Lakes will become the focus of fishers in central Victoria over the coming years.”

As he joined the Club members in the day’s fish release, Mr Hardman surveyed the unsurfaced boat ramp, which, they explained, is not very satisfactory. They have wanted a proper boat ramp at the Mitchelton bridge area for years, and asked Mr Hardman to note their request for an upgrade.

Close to one million native fish will be stocked into Victorian rivers and lakess over the next couple of months. Nearly 400,000 trout will also be released, with the aim of enhancing recreational fishing venues for the benefit of the community. The majority of native fish to be stocked are Murray cod and perch, which are both very popular species for angling. Other native species to be stocked into selected waters are trout, cod and silver perch.

Thanks was extended to the Nagambie Angling Club members for their assistance with the local project. Hopefully, in years to come, many of the hatchlings will survive to provide good fishing for the members.

The releases are in line with the Fisheries Management Plan, which gives Nagambie Lakes the potential to offer fantastic recreational fishing opportunities to fishers in the future.

Source : The Euroa Gazette

THE Murray cod fishery in the Murray River is thriving if the numbers of undersize cod being caught and released by anglers is any gauge.

Rod Mackenzie reports the small cod are proving a nuisance to anglers. One of the largest concentrations of undersize cod appears to be at Swan Hill.

Most of the small cod are being caught on bardi grub, cheese and shrimp.

Yellowbelly to 2kg are also being caught and these are taking shrimp and worm cocktails. The Wakool River near Kyalite has better numbers of legal cod and yellowbelly. White Spinnerbait lures are doing well.

Mick Hall reports Lake Eildon is producing good catches of yellowbelly to 2.8kg and redfin to 1.4kg on yabbie tails and scrubworms fished bobbin style among the dead trees. Eildon Pondage has plenty of rainbow trout to 1.4kg and these are being caught on Powerbait.

In the west, Doug Lucas at Colac says anglers are taking advantage of the new boat launching facility at Lake Purrumbete to catch brown trout to 3.2kg and rainbow trout to 1.8kg.

Mudeyes fished under a bubble float or trolled behind a Ford Fender attractors doing well. Downrigger trolling at 10-15m deep is the most productive method.

Doug reports Princetown beach has gummy sharks to 10kg and snapper to 1.4kg, with a steady run of 500-800g salmon at Clifton Beach. Southern bluefin tuna to 35kg and albacore dominate the catch off Portland.

Yellowtail kingfish to 10kg are being caught on the reefs at Killarney. The Fitzroy River is steady for bream to about 34cm but the Hopkins River at Warrnambool is quiet for mainly small bream.

Bream averaging 32-36cm are being caught on crab and minnow in the Curdies River. Anglers motoring to Cape Otway are catching gummy sharks to 20kg. Off Apollo Bay, flathead to 2kg are being taken in 20-30m of water, pinkies are on the inshore reefs and King George whiting to about 1kg are being caught out from Skenes Creek.

In Port Phillip Bay, snapper to 5.5kg are being caught in Corio Bay inner harbour offshore from the wheat silos and in the outer harbour from Point Lillias to Point Richards. Pilchard, garfish and squid baits working.

Salmon to 2kg are schooling off Black Rock and being caught trolling or spinning lures, or flicking unweighted baits.

Calamari squid are being caught along the inshore reefs from Frankston to Mornington pier.

Western Port has King George whiting from 32cm to 46cm being caught along the Middle Spit and Tortoise Head Bank on pipi, squid and mussel.

Snapper to 3kg are being caught off Corinella, along with pinkies, salmon and silver trevally. The bay’s annual run of elephant fish is underway with elephants to 3kg being caught in many areas of the bay including Corinella to Rhyll on pilchard and squid baits.

In the Gippsland Lakes, Hollands Landing is producing flathead and bream near the boat ramp on local prawn and soft plastic lures. In the Mitchell River, garfish are biting near the butter factory and bream are being caught at the Cut and the mouth on prawn and Vibe lures.

The Tambo and Nicholson Rivers have flathead and bream being caught on prawn and soft plastic lures. Lakes Entrance has salmon and small numbers of King George Whiting.

At Lake Tyers, luderick are biting between the jetty and tavern, and the Glasshouse area is producing flathead and bream on prawn and lures.

The estuary at Marlo has estuary perch and bream taking prawn baits. Sandworm and prawn baits are best for luderick and bream at Bemm River.

At Mallacoota Inlet, bream are biting in the Bottom Lake on prawn and metal lures. Flathead are taking soft plastics and live mullet, garfish are in good numbers and taking prawn with luderick and tailor being caught on weed and metal lures respectively.

Source : Weekly Times Now