Casting Around the Internet with Recfishwest
Issue 76, 17 December 2009

Here is a version formatted for printing on a single page:- CastingAroundIssue76.pdf (33 kilobyte PDF file)

Notes about using the links on this page.

Mako shark and other fishing bans coming

Listing of some species by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) obliges the Australian Government to ban the take or injury of these in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Killing, injuring or taking these in a Commonwealth marine area is prohibited, as are actions that have, will have, or are likely to have a significant impact on the species as a whole. Recfish Australia is seeking comments on the similar listings of some other shark species and northern bluefin tuna.

http://www.makofishingaustralia.com.au/web_images/Mako_Facts_Sheet.pdf (link opens in a new window) and
http://www.recfish.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87 (link opens in a new window)

Demersals back on the fishing menu

Recreational fishing on the west coast for a range of demersal scalefish, including the prized Western Australia dhufish, reopened on 16 December providing an opportunity for recreational fishers to catch one of these prized species in time for Christmas. Fisheries Minister Norman Moore said he was encouraged that recreational fishers had shown a high level of compliance during the first two month closure period. Changes include a new pelagic category, reduced combined bag limits and shift of some species to medium risk.

http://www.recfishwest.org.au/MediaReleaseDemersalReopening2009.htm and
http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx?ItemId=132941 (link opens in a new window) and
http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/pub/RecFishArrange/index.php (link opens in a new window)

Release weight requirements for West Coast demersal fishing

The master of a boat line fishing for demersal fish in the West Coast region is responsible for carrying a release weight which meets the requirements:- (a) for the purpose of returning to the seabed a live fish that has been taken, is able to be attached to the fish; and (b) is able to be detached from the fish when it reaches the seabed. The regulations specify a penalty of $2,000. Rules also apply to commercial demersal fishing.

http://www.slp.wa.gov.au/gazette/gazette.nsf/gazlist/A94E97B54417C673C8257685000F68D2/$file/gg228.pdf (link opens in a new window)

Study of juvenile dhufish to help recovery of the iconic species

A new $225,000 project is to identify critical habitats for this important, slow-growing, species. At present stock status monitoring is mainly focussed on adult dhufish, but little is known about juveniles between spawning and becoming vulnerable to fishing after about 3 years of age. Environmental conditions affect the level of recruitment, so the more known about juvenile dhufish habitats, the better dhufish can be managed.

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/media/index.php?0000&mr=686 (link opens in a new window)

Rock lobster cumulative commercial catch monitoring for 2009/10 season

Weekly lobster catch projections are derived from the stock assessment model that incorporates the current commercial management arrangements. Graphs of these projections and the observed catches recorded from processor returns for each zone and season will be updated weekly. Reviews are planned during the season to ensure that the commercial fisheries in each zone do not breach the management catch targets and limits.

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/pub/RockLobsterProdFigures/index.php?0405 (link opens in a new window)

Pew allies oppose Pew's Marine Park hard line

Some Australian green groups and scientists have opposed the hardline stance taken by US conservation group Pew, warning that the US group's over-zealous approach risks derailing the entire process. While wanting a world-class marine park, some recognise the role for sustainable fishing in the Coral Sea, but the difference is in the detail about how much is considered no-take where it seems Pew's stance is 100% no take.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/marine-park-battle-of-the-coral-sea/story-e6frg6nf-1225807144737 (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.


Interested? Email this page to a friend   Email us your comments about this page



This page last updated on 17 December 2009.