Casting Around the Internet with Recfishwest
Issue 84, 17 February 2010

Here is a version formatted for printing on a single page:- CastingAroundIssue84.pdf (33 kilobyte PDF file)

Notes about using the links on this page.

The easy way to apply for a Recreational Fishing licence

A Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence will be introduced from 2 March. Applications can be made online at Dept of Fisheries website, at Australia Post outlets and at any Dept of Fisheries office. Licences will not be available online or at Aust Post until 2 March. Applications before 2 March must be at a Dept of Fisheries office.

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/pub/RecFishArrange/page06.php (link opens in a new window) and
http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/pub/FishingFromBoat/index.php (link opens in a new window)?0102

Recfishwest concerns over the future of Recfish Australia

The commonwealth government currently provides no financial support to the Australian recreational fishing peak body, but spends billions of dollars on federal and state environmental and natural resource management. Without a national peak body, recreational fishers cannot be effectively involved in key Commonwealth decisions which impact on the future of recreational fishing and all Australians. It is highly likely at this stage that Recfish Australia will be wound up from about April 2010 and that voice will be lost.

http://www.recfishwest.org.au/FundingRecfishAustralia.htm

Hundreds of dead fish pile up at floodgates

Initial reports of up to 600 dead fish, predominantly black bream, at the Vasse estuary floodgates at Wonnerup have been increased as more dead fish floated to the surface, with the total number killed estimated at more than 2000. Several factors were being looked at including a possible malfunction of an electronically controlled fish gate that normally remains open at this time of year to help oxygenate the water, and recent levels of a toxic algae.

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/story-e6frg19l-1225828311101 (link opens in a new window) And
http://www.water.wa.gov.au/News+and+events/Current+news/1298.aspx (link opens in a new window)

Juvenile Great Whites don't seem to take much notice of people in the surf zone

Although more people are killed each year by pets or insects, it's the Great White Shark that fills us with dread. But what does science really know about how many there are, how they behave, or where they go. Researchers have been working for a couple of seasons and they have tagged twenty two juvenile great white sharks. But it's no deep water exercise. They do it in heaving swells, just inside the surf zone used by surfers.

http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/2816558.htm (link opens in a new window)

Minister promises to consult anglers before implementing fishing bans

Any decision on fishing bans would be based on the national interest, not the lobbying efforts of stakeholder groups. There is a balance point. If it is sustained by the information and advice that you have, then that's good governance. It's not about who has or hasn't shouted the loudest, it is coming up with the best policy solution to the issue and striking a balance where you can. Pew campaign claims a 100% fishing ban would be cheaper and easier to manage than a multi-use system which allowed fishing in some or most of the area.

http://www.fishingworld.com.au/news/garrett-hints-at-compromise-on-coral-sea (link opens in a new window)

Innovative "Fishutes" perplex pelicans

Normal commercial fishing activities attract pelicans which prey upon released fish, particularly juvenile black bream. Keen to help returned juvenile fish escape from predators, a group of professional estuarine fishermen has invented a "Fishute" device. The device has a concertina-style mesh chute which allows undersized fish to be returned to the water out of sight of seabirds which are also kept away by fake eyes on the outside.

http://www.southcoastnrm.com.au/files/1/files/Fishute%20final%20release.pdf (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 prepared on 17 February 2010.