Casting Around the Internet with Recfishwest
Issue 57, 26 May 2009

Here is a version formatted for printing on a single page:- CastingAroundIssue57.pdf (33 kilobyte PDF file)

Notes about using the links on this page.

Recreational fishing: cost or benefit to sustainable aquatic management?

Recreational fishing is arguably the largest 'invisible' industry in WA, and should be a major player in most aquatic management debates. Critics say the massive participation rate results in a huge impact on aquatic resources and must be better managed, supporters point to enormous social and economic benefits. Some myths, fantasies and fables are examined by someone with 20 years recreational fisheries management experience.

http://www.recfishwest.org.au/Seminar-FishingCostOrBenefit.htm

Recreational fishing regulations to change in Ningaloo Marine Park

Recfishwest's representations on inconsistent fishing rules in the Commonwealth waters of Ningaloo Marine Park have been rewarded with a change. On expiry of the Management Plan on 2 July 2009, ordinary State recreational fishing rules will apply. The rules will be reviewed approximately every six months. Current inconsistent management plan restrictions on fishing gear, bait and cleaning of fish will no longer apply.

http://www.recfishwest.org.au/SubReviewEPBCAct.htm#RuleChanges

Environment minister launches first salvo in the Battle for the Coral Sea

Recreational fishing peak bodies and the industry have reacted with mixed emotions after minister declared 972,000 km2 of the Coral Sea as a conservation zone. There are serious concerns that a federal minister could be swayed by an American-led anti-fishing movement pressing for large closures of the Coral Sea. Recent discussions with the minister and department in good faith led to the belief that the Coral Sea would not be treated as a special case like this, but would be reviewed as part of the East Marine Bioregional Plan.

http://www.recfish.com.au/docs/mr%20Environment%20minister%20launches%20
first%20salvo%20in%20the%20battle%20for%20the%20coral%20sea.pdf (link opens in a new window) and
http://www.afma.gov.au/environment/planning/PEW.htm (link opens in a new window)

New look brochure explains the fishing rules for Gascoyne region

Department of Fisheries has updated the Recreational Fishing Guide for the Gascoyne Region with a new format including more information about understanding the rules, penalties, areas restricted and closed to fishing, closed seasons, references to legislation, fishing safely and good practices for releasing fish.

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/pub/GascoyneLimits/index.php?0103 (link opens in a new window)

Assessment and accreditation of fishing competitions now online

Recfish Australia's interactive website allows organisers of fishing tournaments to complete the voluntary National Environmental Assessment of Tournament Fishing online. "NEATFish" is the world's first environmental standard designed specifically for fishing tournaments. Accreditation allows better demonstration of the tournament's environmental, social and economic credentials to the wider community.

http://www.neatfish.com/ (link opens in a new window) and
http://www.recfish.com.au/docs/mr%20NEATFish%20now%20online.pdf (link opens in a new window)

Acid sulphate soils turn river water into "battery acid", contaminated with heavy metals

In many wetlands the recipe for acid mud is perfect. Sediments flooded for decades can be exposed to air as drought affected water levels fall. Waterlogged soils often contain sulphides from bacteria decomposing organic matter, but when exposed to oxygen, they form sulphuric acid. When rivers again flow and re-flood the exposed acid mud, nothing but micro-organisms can survive the acid water contaminated with heavy metals.

http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/2232992.htm (link opens in a new window)

Fishermen facing fines totalling up to $140,000

Two men are facing heavy fines for allegedly using illegal fishing gear in the waters of a Recreational Fishing Haven to collect bait for a commercial fishing business. A trap was found to contain 62 silver trevally, (42 undersize,) and 3 undersize luderick. Recreational Fishing Havens are reserves closed to commercial fishing to improve opportunities for fishing in key areas of significance to recreational fishers.

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/news/recent-news/fishing-and-aquaculture/fish-seized-in-bermagui (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 25 May 2009.