Casting Around the Internet with Recfishwest
Issue 11, 19 September 2007

WA Government launches fishing package to save iconic fish for the future

WA coastline Lancelin to south of Mandurah will become an exclusive recreational line fishing zone under the WA Government's $5 million commercial compensation plan. Research shows that unless action is taken now, stocks of key demersal fish such as dhufish and pink snapper will collapse within four to five years. Some interim recreational restrictions, including home possession limits, will be imposed until consultation on future management arrangements is completed in July 2008, after which a more effective long-term recreational management strategy will be introduced.

http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/media/media.nsf/0c079b992e7e607 a48256a5a0016e16b/aa4823bdc754b41ac82573590015eabe?OpenDocument (link opens in a new window)

Recfishwest welcomes metropolitan commercial and recreational fishing reforms.

Recfishwest praised the announcement by Minister for Fisheries, Jon Ford which means that the recreational sector will have greater responsibility for sustainably managing its own destiny. The importance of recreational sector initiated proactive management controls for pink snapper in Cockburn Sound is now being fully realised. Recfishwest is looking forward to the challenge of managing our recreational fisheries.

http://www.recfishwest.org.au/MediaStateMetroFishingReforms.htm (link opens in a new window)

Scenarios for future management of recreational catch of demersal scalefish on West Coast.

Significant reductions in recreational catches are required; however changes to current recreational controls such as bag and size limits will not be sufficient to achieve the necessary reductions. This paper discusses the major issues around controlling the total recreational catch and some of the tools available to limit and manage the catch to specific target levels. The sustainability of fish species must be a key driver.

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/mp/mp225/index.php?0602 (link opens in a new window)

Spatial scales of exploitation among demersal scalefish: implications for management.

Exploitation of dhufish and pink snapper in West Coast and baldchin groper at Abrolhos Islands indicates that these are being overfished and depleted to levels below those necessary to ensure their long-term sustainability. Current reliance of the dhufish catch on a single year's recruitment and the extremely truncated age distribution of pink snapper indicates that both these stocks are particularly vulnerable.

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/frr/frr163/index.php?0401 (link opens in a new window)

Role of recreational anglers in plans for new Marine Protected Areas on WA's South Coast.

Recreational anglers have been true aquatic environmentalists for many years. Protected or closed areas must use a scientifically robust framework, have clear rationales, measurable objectives and performance criteria. Recreational fishing and conservation are compatible activities. The real risks must be identified and managed.

http://www.recfishwest.org.au/SouthCoastMPAPresentationSept07.htm (link opens in a new window)

Research suggests Marine Protected Areas do not give coral reefs long-term resilience to bleaching.

Research shows that coral and plankton eating fish declined strikingly in abundance, particularly in "no fishing" MPAs. The decline was associated with a similar pattern of decline in their preferred corals. Climate-caused disturbances such as coral bleaching should be at the fore of conservation planning for coral reefs.

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2007.00754.x (link opens in a new window)

The pros and cons of Marine Protected Areas in New South Wales: who's been hoodwinked?

Under the right conditions well designed MPAs can be effective tools for conserving biodiversity and assisting with fisheries management. What science underpins the measures taken in the Batemans Marine Park in pursuit of the stated objectives and what are these measures likely to deliver against these objectives?

http://www.recfish.com.au/hot_topics/pdf/Bob Kearney paper Sept 2007.pdf (link opens in a new window)

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This page last updated on 21 September 2007.