Casting Around the Internet with Recfishwest
Issue 42, 3 November 2008

Here is a version formatted for printing on a single page:- CastingAroundIssue42.pdf (33 kilobyte PDF file)

Notes about using the links on this page.

Corruption and Crime Commission report on fisheries officers

A CCC report has recommended disciplinary action against a senior officer for serious misconduct after a suspected illegal fisherman was tipped off the Department of Fisheries was conducting an investigation into illegal crab fishing in the Swan River. Another officer advised a fisherman how one of his associates could offer a false explanation to explain an illegal catch and to not take part in a recorded interview with fisheries officers.

http://www.ccc.wa.gov.au/publications.php (link opens in a new window)

Minister limits recreational lobster take to 6

From 1 December 2008, or as close as administratively possible, the daily bag limit for lobsters taken by each recreational fisher will be reduced from eight to six, with a personal State-wide possession limit of 24 lobsters per licence holder. The catch limit per boat with 2 or more fishing will reduce from 16 to 12 and there will be a ban on the use of power winches on recreational boats. Opening of season will be delayed in 2009 to 25 Nov.

http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Results.aspx?ItemID=130808 (link opens in a new window)

Cockburn crab ban extended by a year

Bans on fishing for blue swimmer crabs in Cockburn Sound would be extended for a year because population recovery was not as fast as scientists had hoped. Recreational fishermen are disappointed at the decision to extend the closure after they had called for the area to be opened to recreational crabbing during the summer holidays, since the estimated catch of less than five tonnes over that period would have been sustainable.

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=105047 (link opens in a new window)

Worrying research data for another iconic WA fish.

Independent data sources suggest that breeding stock levels and abundance of herring in south-western WA is lower than in the late 1990s. The average age of fish caught by recreational fishers has decreased, with most fish now aged only 1-3 years, and a maximum of 5 years compared to maximum age of 7 years previously. Herring mature at 2-3 years, so most fish are only being allowed a limited opportunity to breed before being caught. New markets are currently being investigated which are likely to result in increased commercial targeting.

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/macs/research/RAPNewsletter_2008_09.pdf (link opens in a new window)

Recreational fisheries and its management - looking back and looking forward

Recreational fishers in Australia often think they are a long way behind many parts of the world. Issues such as catch and release, coordination of the various forms of fishing through peak bodies and respect from other sectors are areas in which we excel. Australia is a long way behind in corporate recognition, co-management with government and recognition of the conservation efforts which have already been put into place.

http://www.recfish.com.au/conference/Recfishing%202020%20conference%20abstracts.pdf (link opens in a new window)

Remotely piloted aircraft to monitor compliance in areas closed to fishing

A comprehensive monitoring program for the proposed Moreton Bay marine national park has commenced. It uses a number of different study types, including pot and line fishing inside and outside no take (green) zones, deploying baited underwater video cameras and even remotely piloted aircraft to monitor compliance.

http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/parks_and_forests/marine_parks/moreton_bay_marine_park_zoning_plan_review/monitoring_program/ (link opens in a new window)

People with a recreational fishing passion wanted.

The Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee was set up to advise the Fisheries Minister on strategic issues facing WA recreational fishing. Applications for eight positions to represent the community close 28 November.

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/macs/rfac/eoi.php?0001 (link opens in a new window)

Note about using the links in "Casting Around"

The links to external websites, shown in this page by the symbol are all checked to be correct, valid and working at the time these documents are prepared.

Rearrangements of external websites at some time in the future may remove or change some of these external links. Such changes are outside the control of Recfishwest, and will not be corrected in this page or the PDF version.


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This page last updated on 3 November 2008.