Casting Around the Internet with Recfishwest
Issue 23, 21 December 2007

Kalbarri Blue Holes becomes a Fish Habitat Protection Area

Fisheries Minister Jon Ford has resolved a long-running community issue in Kalbarri by creating a FHPA at the Blue Holes. All forms of fishing are now prohibited within the FHPA. Community feedback was taken into account in setting the boundaries so that recreational fishing activities can continue at popular beach locations.

http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/ByPortfolio.aspx?ItemId=126131 (link opens in a new window) and http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/mp/mp188/fmp188.pdf (link opens in a new window)


Think about the deckies if your fishing gear snags.

Commercial lobster fishers use winches to pull their pots. When they're doing this at speed, any fishing gear snagged on the rope could cause serious injury as it comes flying out of the water. Tie a rag to the rope or a knot in the rope between the header floats which will be an effective warning to the pot owners.

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=157&ContentID=51174 (link opens in a new window)


Plan to move Blackwood River's mouth

A study will be conducted into the environmental, economic and social implications of moving the mouth of the Blackwood River at Augusta to reduce the risk of flooding. Options include to let nature take its course, or to dig out the river mouth close to Colourpatch and return it to the conditions there 30 years ago.

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=146&ContentID=51043 (link opens in a new window)


Harvesting attempt to create a "firebreak" to stop the spread of deadly virus

Divers are removing all healthy abalone from a two-kilometre section of reef in an attempt to create a "firebreak" to stop a herpes like virus from entering the Twelve Apostles Marine Park and other reefs. The virus was first detected on commercial abalone farms in 2005, and has since spread to wild populations and devastated abalone reefs. DNA sequencing has shown the virus is a unique strain that has not previously been identified.

http://www.growfish.com.au/content.asp?ContentId=10542 (link opens in a new window) and http://www.growfish.com.au/content.asp?contentid=10442 (link opens in a new window)


Independent Research Project to assist with Marine Park outcomes

The challenge in making important decisions often lies in accessing the appropriate information, data and community or industry knowledge. Given past experience with Marine Park planning, it's no wonder that recreational and commercial fishermen are reluctant to say where they fish. An alliance of such fishing organisations prepared a coordinated fishing industry proposal for the rezoning of the Moreton Bay Marine Park.

http://www.redlandsboatclub.org.au/Newsletters/MBAANewsMar-Apr07.pdf (link opens in a new window) , http://www.frdc.com.au/escapewithet/?pid=2 (opens in a new window, click on the white arrow to play the video clip) , and http://www.marineqld.com.au/DIVISIONS/MBAA/tabid/158/Default.aspx (link opens in a new window)


Six lucky Recfishwest members get an early Christmas present

The draw for prizes including an Engel Fridge/freezer, two Skywest return tickets to Exmouth, two Coleman lanterns and a Halco lure pack was held on 17 December. The lucky members winning these great Christmas presents have been contacted and advised of their wins and arrangements made for presentation or delivery.

http://www.recfishwest.org.au/index.html#Xmas (link opens in a new window)


Tourist resort approved for Abrolhos Long Island

Plans for a tourist resort on the environmentally sensitive Abrolhos Islands have been given the all-clear by the State Government. Some groups have criticised plans for the resort but the WA's Environmental Protection Authority has recommended approval of the proposal. The original proposals included strict controls on tourist activities such as snorkelling, diving and fishing.

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,22935452-2761,00.html (link opens in a new window) and http://www.epa.wa.gov.au/article.asp?ID=2291&area=EIA&CID=31 (link opens in a new window)

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This page prepared 21 December 2007, last updated on 26 March 2008.