Casting Around the Internet with Recfishwest
Issue 65, 31 July 2009

Here is a version formatted for printing on a single page:- CastingAroundIssue65.pdf (33 kilobyte PDF file)

Notes about using the links on this page.

Business rules will clear the water on licence revenue expenditure

Recfishwest has been working hard to ensure that money raised by recreational fishing licences is spent to benefit recreational fisheries. Proposed business rules for the expenditure of licence revenue through the Recreational Fishing Fund (RFF) provide a framework for a transparent and robust administration and allocation process for the revenue. It is vitally important that recreational fishers have the greatest say on what should and shouldn't be funded out of the RFF. The government should continue to fund core activities.

http://www.recfishwest.org.au/MediaReleaseRFFBusinessRules.htm and
http://www.recfishwest.org.au/RecFishingFundBusinessRules.htm

Rock lobster industry considers the future

Fisheries scientists attended day one of the Rock Lobster Council's meeting to tell industry groups why the 2009/10 harvest should be limited to 5000 tonnes, down from a long-term average of 11,000 tonnes. Fisheries Minister Norman Moore and Fisheries CEO Stuart Smith addressed the meeting and stayed all day for questioning. Senior staff attended and listened to views and concerns of commercial rock lobster fishers.

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/media/index.php?0000&mr=646 (link opens in a new window) and
http://www.premier.wa.gov.au/Ministers/Norman-Moore/PublishingImages/video/moore_20090724_FremantleFishConferenceSpeech_32K.mp3 (link opens in a new window) and
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuId=146&ContentID=158196 (link opens in a new window)

Federal compensation sought as lobster fishers face catch crisis

Minister Moore is urging the Federal Government to consider emergency payments to rock lobster fishermen who are forced to leave the troubled industry. Up to one-third of WA's commercial rock lobster fleet could go with proposed severe cuts this season limiting fishing to just three days a week on top of previous cuts. Consultation for the 2009/10 season, possible long term management options, research and letters to licensees.

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/sec/com/fisheries/WCRockLobster.php?0206 (link opens in a new window) and
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuId=146&ContentID=157975 (link opens in a new window)

Reproductive biology issues for managing the western rock lobster broodstock

High exploitation rates and protection of large mature females but not males, has resulted in a very distorted sex ratios of mature animals across the lobster fishery which can lead to reduced brood sizes. Size at first maturity has been decreasing in all areas over the last 30 years, from selective fishing pressures or temperature changes. Large female lobsters carry two broods per season, but small lobsters carry only one brood. Egg production has fallen sharply at the Abrolhos since 2000, but has increased in the coastal population.

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/frr/frr193/index.php?0401 (link opens in a new window)

Cheaper ways of ageing fish need larger sample sizes

Fish age structures are important measures in determining the need for and effectiveness of management actions for scalefish. Fish can be aged by counting growth rings on thin sections of otoliths (ear bones). Alternative measures were examined and provided acceptable alternatives to the ring method for 20 of the 23 stocks. In all cases larger sample sizes were required to obtain reliable estimates of age structure.

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/frr/frr192/index.php?0401 (link opens in a new window) and
http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/macs/research/filletedframesPage01.php?0000 (link opens in a new window)

Offshore limit proposed for boats less than 8 metres

Discussion paper about improving marine safety is seeking input from the boating public. The paper proposes to limit the distance boats under 8 metres in length can travel offshore to 20 nautical miles from the port of origin. Boats under 4.8m long will be limited to enclosed waters and 2nm offshore in coastal waters.

http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/DOI/Internet/planningprojects.nsf/AllDocs/5233ADAD980B4DFACA2575DF0000B402?OpenDocument (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 31 July 2009.