Department of Primary Industries

Fisheries Victoria Fish-e-Fax

A fortnightly round-up of recreational fishery management issues

Fish-e-Fax Issue 212, 17 January 2008 Your fishing licence fees at work at Clifton Creek Victorian Waters to get a million Murray cod and golden perch 270,000 Rainbow Trout Released into Victorian Lakes

Your fishing licence fees at work at Clifton Creek fishing platform Clifton Creek

Recreational anglers can now look forward to improved fishing access to Clifton Creek near Bairnsdale, following the installation of three fishing platforms.

The East Gippsland Shire Council managed the construction of the three fishing platforms along the lower sections of Clifton Creek to improve access for shore-based anglers keen on chasing bream, luderick or flathead.

The new platforms offer environmental benefits too, by reducing bank erosion and thus improving the overall aquatic health of the river.

The three platforms, best accessed from Eastwood Estate, are adjacent to recent urban development and are linked by a walking track.

Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence revenue funded the construction of the $20,000 platforms through the annual Recreational Fishing Grants Program.

Funding from the last round of the Australian Government’s Recreational Fishing Community Grants Program will see another three fishing platforms constructed along the creek’s foreshore over the next six months.

Since the commencement of the Victorian Recreational Fishing Grants Program in 2001/2002, almost 200 projects totalling over $6.7 million have been funded to improve freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities in Victoria.

For more information about the Program or previously funded projects visit the Recreational Fishing Grants Program page.

Victorian Waters to get a million Murray cod and golden perch

Up to a million Murray cod and golden perch are scheduled to be stocked across rivers and lakes in Victoria over the coming months.

A strong year for the breeding program at Snobs Creek has resulted in good stocks of Murray cod becoming available for release earlier than usual.

The stocking of 34,000 Murray cod fingerlings went into Lake Eildon before Christmas. Lake Eildon has continued to thrive as a native fishery and stockings of 50,000 Murray cod and 200,000 golden perch are planned over the coming months.

The Department of Primary Industries, through Fisheries Victoria, stocks approximately one million native fish and trout annually into our waterways to enhance the recreational angling experience.

Over 80,000 Murray cod are expected to be liberated in the Goulburn and Loddon rivers and the Gunbower Creek in January. Golden perch stockings will also commence this month along with silver perch into selected waterways.

Angler reports of native fish catches has increased and we will continue to support this through our annual stocking program.

For more information about Fisheries Victoria’s fish stocking program, including annual summaries of trout releases, visit the Fish Stocking page.

270,000 Rainbow Trout Released into Victorian Lakes

More than 270,000 rainbow trout have been released into four Victorian lakes to benefit recreational anglers.

Members of the Victorian Recreational Fishing peak body, VRFish, and other anglers participated in the release by ferrying fish, tub by tub, throughout the lake in the hope that in future years, anglers will reap the benefits of these stockings.

The rainbow trout fry were spawned last autumn at the Department of Primary Industries’ fish production facility at Snobs Creek in response to forecasts of good spring rain last year, and to test the hatchery’s capacity to grow fish quickly for drought recovery.

Unfortunately, significant rain did not come so alternative homes for the fish were found at Lake Glenmaggie (100,000), Lake Eildon (100,000), Eildon Pondage (20,000) and Lake Bellfield in the Grampians (50,000).

The last of the rainbow trout were released into Lake Eildon last month by Fisheries Victoria staff assisted by volunteers organised by VRFish.

The majority of the fish were fry of about 3 grams, but over 6,000 fish averaged 120 grams with some larger rainbow trout weighing up to 900 grams.

The release of the smaller than usual rainbow trout will not compromise fish numbers for this year’s trout and salmon stocking season, but will free up valuable space in the hatchery to look after the fish already on site through the remainder of summer.

The larger trout had been identified during a pre-summer ‘stock-take’ of the Snobs Creek fish production facility and were of a ‘takeable’ size when released.

New investments at Snobs Creek, such as the installation of a direct oxygen injection system, complement last summer’s approach and will enhance Fisheries Victoria’s ability to produce trout.

This document was published on 22/12/2008 15:47:44.

Department of Primary Industries

Fisheries Victoria Fish-e-Fax

A fortnightly round-up of recreational fishery management issues

Fish-e-Fax Issue 213, 31 January 2008 Bass yabby bait bust Bass yabby Almost 200,000 trout stocked in 2007 despite the drought Help protect Victoria’s most valuable shellfish this summer

Bass yabby bait bust

Earlier this month a man was interviewed after being caught by Fisheries Victoria officers operating an unlicensed commercial bait business in Melbourne’s outer suburbs. The man was apprehended with more than 3832 Bass yabbies in Western Port and a search warrant was executed on his premises in Jacana.

Aerators, troughs and packing material consistent with long term unlicensed commercial operations were found at the premises. The man will be charged on summons with taking Bass yabbies for sale without a licence.

Evidence of bait theft had been gathered through surveillance activities by Fisheries Officers over the last six months. The man did not hold the required commercial licence and in addition to the charges, his boat has been seized.

Bass yabbies are popular bait used by anglers to target a number of marine and estuarine species and are also becoming an increasingly popular bait for native freshwater fish such as golden perch. Bass yabbies sell for upwards of $5 per dozen and the quantity seized has a commercial value of over $1500.

In recent years Fisheries Victoria officers have observed a significant increase in the recreational harvest of Bass yabbies in Gippsland, Port Phillip Bay and Western Port. As a result, a daily recreational catch limit of 100 per person has been put in place.

Recent research has highlighted the significant role Bass yabbies play in the aquatic ecosystem, which is why it is important daily catch limits are observed.

Fisheries Victoria will continue to manage fisheries, including Bass yabby collection, to ensure Victoria’s fish resources remain sustainable for future generations.

Members of the public who wish to report illegal or suspicious fishing activity are encouraged to contact 13 FISH (13 3474) 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Almost 200,000 trout stocked in 2007 despite the drought

Freshwater anglers will be pleased to hear that close to 200,000 brown and rainbow trout were stocked into Victorian waters in 2007.

In 2007 there were about 18 fewer waters to stock with trout compared to 2006.

Stocking could not be undertaken in some of Victoria’s best trout lakes including Newlyn Reservoir and Hepburn Lagoon near Ballarat, Lauriston and Malmsbury Reservoirs near Kyneton and Fyans Lake in the Grampians, because of low water levels.

Most other waters were affected as well and there was a need to reduce the number of fish stocked accordingly. Given fewer waters were available for stocking, overall stocking numbers were slightly down on previous years. Significant releases still occurred in many of Victoria’s popular trout waters.

Anglers will be able to look forward to fishing in waters such as Lake Bullen Merri, Lake Purrumbete, Lake Eildon and Lake Hume.

In addition to the stocking of 200,000 yearling trout, Fisheries Victoria also released a further 270,000 rainbow trout fry into Lakes Eildon, Glenmaggie, Bellfield and the Eildon Pondage. These fingerlings were produced in the winter of last year in case good spring rainfall saw an improvement in water levels. Unfortunately this did not occur and so these extra fish were stocked into some larger impoundments to provide more exciting fishing opportunities in the future.

Stockings in 2007 also included a significant number of Premier (>1 kg) rainbow trout that were stocked into family fishing lakes.

As part of the Go Fishing in Victoria initiative, more than 3,000 Premier rainbow trout have been stocked into selected waters and these larger fish provide a great opportunity for families to get out and enjoy some great fishing.

Help protect Victoria’s most valuable shellfish this summer

Over the summer months recreational anglers and divers are being urged to observe the closed area at Port Fairy and follow the biosecurity guidelines to help reduce the risk of spreading the abalone disease. Within the closed area people must not take abalone, shellfish or sea urchins from the high water mark west of The Crags car park to Killarney Beach car park.

Outside of this area divers may take abalone, but should:

• Wash vessels, wetsuits, dive equipment and their hands with soapy freshwater, • Remove all marine organic matter from vessels and equipment, and • Dispose of abalone shell, meat and gut with their household waste.

To boost awareness of the closure and the biosecurity guidelines, Fisheries Victoria is once again working with the south west community and the commercial abalone fishers over summer, so that visitors and local residents are informed and can do the right thing.

Foreshore signage has been maintained and expanded, and flyers in English, Cambodian, Chinese, Spanish and Vietnamese have been distributed via Tourist Information Centres, Parks Victoria, the Victorian Multicultural Commission, accommodation providers and fishing and dive charter operators.

For more information about the abalone disease or for flyers, ring the Department of Primary Industries Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or visit the abalone disease page .

This document was published on 14/04/2009 11:37:56.

Department of Primary Industries

Fisheries Victoria Fish-e-Fax

A fortnightly round-up of recreational fishery management issues

Fish-e-Fax Issue 214, 14 February 2008 Corangamite Fishery Management Plan released for public comment Charges for illegal native fish catch at Lake Mokoan More than 60 people caught in Port Phillip Bay shellfish blitz

Corangamite Fishery Management Plan released for public comment

Recreational anglers and other interested parties have two months to comment on the Draft Corangamite Fishery Management Plan (CFMP).

The Draft is the culmination of work undertaken since November 2006 to specify management arrangements for recreational fishing activities in the Corangamite Fishery for the next five years.

This includes the establishment of monitoring programs for the iconic blackfish fisheries and other key recreational species.

The Draft CFMP establishes programs to monitor fishing values and preferences, and strategies to identify and encourage responsible angling behaviour. It also provides a process for improving angler access which will be implemented by the Victorian Recreational Fishing peak body (VRFish).

The Draft CFMP describes strategies to provide advice to habitat resource managers with the aim of achieving better outcomes for key fisheries resources. A copy of the Draft CFMP can be obtained from www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing or by contacting the Department of Primary Industries Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Recreational anglers and other interested community groups are encouraged to provide comment on the Draft CFMP before submissions close on 8 April 2008.

Written submissions on the Draft CFMP should be sent to Mr Anthony Plummer, A/Manager Fisheries Resource Planning, Fisheries Victoria, GPO 4440, Melbourne VIC 3001 or email [email protected] .

Charges for illegal native fish catch at Lake Mokoan

Four men will be charged after being caught by Fisheries Victoria Officers illegally taking native fish at Lake Mokoan. The men were caught as part of on-going operations by Fisheries Victoria targeting people illegally taking native fish species.

Fisheries Officers seized a quantity of illegal fishing equipment, two inflatable boats and 50 golden perch, of which 19 fish were under the legal size limit. The men will be charged under the Fisheries Act 1995 with offences of exceeding the recreational bag limit, possessing undersized fish, and possession and use of commercial fishing equipment.

Current regulations for golden perch require a minimum size limit of 30 cm and a bag limit of no more than 10 fish in lakes and impoundments and 5 fish in rivers and streams.

The men were intercepted by Fisheries Officers after being observed working ‘set lines’ from two boats. The use of this type of fishing equipment is prohibited because it has an unsustainable impact on fish populations.

The set lines used by these men are classed as commercial equipment and cannot be used anywhere in Victorian inland waters. Fisheries Victoria uses routine patrolling and targeted investigations to ensure fish now and for the future.

This result exemplifies the additional focus on northern waters as part of the extended Government 13FISH initiative

More than 60 people caught in Port Phillip Bay shellfish blitz

A four day blitz by Fisheries Officers targeting the intertidal zone in Port Phillip Bay in early February resulted in over 60 people being caught committing offences. Fisheries Officers spoke to almost 300 people during ‘Operation Willow’.

Despite fishing conditions being less than ideal, many people were still caught committing offences. A total of 15 verbal warnings, 5 official warnings and 44 infringement notices were issued and two people will be summonsed to appear in court. The majority of offences related to taking shellfish, including undersize abalone.

The intertidal zone in Port Phillip Bay was the focus of the blitz because easy access to the area results in regular illegal harvesting of shellfish and other marine organisms.

The blitz provided a good opportunity to educate the public about fisheries regulations. Hopefully this will assist with compliance rates during the next targeted operation in Port Phillip Bay.

Fisheries Officers will continue regular surveillance of the Port Phillip Bay area and further targeted operations will be run in the future.

13FISH (telephone 13 3474) is a statewide 24/7 fisheries offence reporting line which was launched on 8 September 2003. Reports from the community have already led to the conviction of people involved in a range of serious offences including illegal netting and taking commercial quantities of abalone.

If you suspect illegal fishing activity, call our fisheries offence reporting line on 13FISH (13 3474).

This document was published on 19/01/2009 09:59:42.

Department of Primary Industries

Fisheries Victoria Fish-e-Fax

A fortnightly round-up of recreational fishery management issues

Fish-e-Fax Issue 215, 28 February 2008

Native Fish Thieves Land Stiff Penalties Angling Access to Martha Cove Undersize Snapper Hidden In Fishing Boat

Native Fish Thieves Land Stiff Penalties

Magistrate Toohey said it was important the sentencing acted as a deterrent. In addition to imposing fines, the Magistrate ordered the forfeiture of all the fishing equipment used, including two boats.

One defendant, who had a prior conviction, was also effectively prohibited from fishing in inland waters for 5 years. The four were caught during an intelligence led investigation codenamed Operation Beecham.

During a three day surveillance operation, the four were seen using a large number of set lines and long lines in the lake. The operation resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of Murray cod and golden perch after the execution of three search warrants in Melbourne.

The Murray cod were very large brood fish weighing up to 22 kilograms each. The conservative replacement value of the fish is estimated to be $13,884.

Victoria Police forensic experts were able to directly link the offenders to the illegal fishing equipment.

Increased targeting of native fish by organised criminal activity is a concern. Fisheries Victoria through the 13FISH initiative undertakes targeted investigations in the north of the state on native fish and trout.

The day after the defendants’ interception, fisheries officers spent over six hours retrieving the illegal fishing equipment from the lake.

Angling Access to Martha Cove

The Department of Sustainability and Environment has received a number of queries regarding public access for recreational fishing purposes at the recently developed Martha Cove, Safety Beach. The Martha Cove development, Safety Beach, incorporates what was known as Tassells Creek and part of the immediate surrounds of the creek entrance into Port Phillip Bay.

The rock groynes form part of the DSE lease and freehold land, and as such there is no right of public access. As well, the rock groynes were built as overtopping structures, which under moderate to severe sea conditions would be inappropriate for public access.

Tassells Creek is also freehold land which is now incorporated into the Martha Cove development, which means there is no right of public access to this area.

Undersize Snapper Hidden In Fishing Boat

Fisheries Officers seized 90 hidden, undersized snapper during a routine patrol at Newport recently.

Two fisheries officers were at the Newport boat ramp as a vessel with four occupants was being retrieved from the water. They inspected the vessel and found 13 legal sized snapper on open display. Believing there may be more fish on board the officers directed the vessel to a side area and began an inspection of the boat’s storage areas.

The officers instructed the owner of the vessel to provide access to a secured hatch. The officers will allege the owner of the vessel then refused access to the hatch and became 'somewhat difficult' to deal with. The owner of vessel was then reminded of Fisheries Officers' powers in respect to inspection. When the secure deck hatch was eventually unscrewed, a further 93 snapper were found in 3 separate bags, 90 of them undersized.

The current bag limit for snapper is 10 of which no more than 3 fish may equal or exceed 40cm. The minimum legal length is 28cm.

A 6m fibreglass boat, 107 snapper and 10 fishing rods and reels were seized. The four men will be charged on summons with fisheries offences.

Fisheries staff, both uniformed and plain clothed, carry out regular patrols of fishing areas in Port Philip Bay to monitor fishing activities.

This follows the charging of recreational fishers selling their catch to wholesalers. Fisheries Victoria needs the assistance of the community to provide information of this type of activity.

Members of the public who suspect illegal fishing activity are encouraged to call the 24 hour reporting line, 13-FISH (13-3474).

This document was published on 13/02/2009 09:42:42.

Department of Primary Industries

Fisheries Victoria Fish-e-Fax

A fortnightly round-up of recreational fishery management issues

Fish-e-Fax Issue 216, 13 March 2008

Ban extended on taking Glenelg spiny freshwater crayfish. Melbourne men facing abalone stealing charges Black bream – ‘Know your catch’ brochure

Ban extended on taking Glenelg spiny freshwater crayfish.

A ban on taking Glenelg spiny freshwater crayfish, also known as ‘prickly backs’, has been extended for a further 12 months to protect the species. The decision followed recent stock assessment research, which indicated the species was still vulnerable to over-fishing.

A 12-month ban was introduced on March 1, 2007 due to concerns about the sustainability of the species. The new Fisheries Notice extends that ban for a further 12 months until February 28, 2009.Fisheries Victoria scientists have carried out stock assessment research on behalf of the Glenelg Hopkins CMA, which indicates the reintroduction of recreational fishing may impact on the recovery of the species.

The species is slow growing, taking up to 26 years to reach maximum size, and has low population densities scattered throughout a small area in the south west of Victoria and south east of South Australia.

The prolonged drought in recent years has resulted in low water levels and pooling in some parts of the Glenelg River system. These conditions, as well as the loss of protective bankside vegetation due to fire, is putting additional pressure on stock levels.

The ban prohibits people from taking or attempting to take Glenelg spiny freshwater crayfish from Victorian waters. The Glenelg spiny freshwater crayfish is listed as a threatened species and the extension to the ban aims to ensure the sustainability of this species.

Fisheries Victoria will conduct an on-going monitoring program to inform future management arrangements for the fishery. Rules and regulations are put in place to ensure our fisheries resources are shared equitably, and are available now and for the future.

For further information please call the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Melbourne men facing abalone stealing charges

Five men from the western suburbs of Melbourne were apprehended by Apollo Bay Fisheries officers on a remote beach near Moonlight Head, east of the Twelve Apostles National Park. Two of the men will be charged on summons for offences including taking more than twice the catch limit for abalone and obstructing/hindering fisheries officers.

Fisheries officers allege the men made several attempts to evade apprehension by dumping a number of abalone. One man was arrested and had all of his dive equipment seized including wetsuit, dive hood, booties, mask, snorkel, gloves, abalone tool and catch bag.

Three of the men will be receiving multiple infringement notices for other abalone and fishing related offences.

Fisheries Victoria is committed to protecting our valuable commercial and recreational fisheries and their long term sustainability. Anybody wishing to report Fisheries Offences should contact the 24 hour fisheries hotline 13FISH– 13 3474 .

Black bream – ‘Know your catch’ brochure

Did you know that the oldest black bream aged from Victorian waters was 37 years old? Or that one black bream studied in the Gippsland Lakes system swam over 3000 km in a year! Learn more about one of Victoria’s most popular estuarine target fish species in the latest edition of the ‘Know your catch’ series of brochures produced by Fishcare Victoria.

The brochure contains interesting information about the biology (including age and growth), movement, post release survival and tips for releasing unwanted and undersize fish and is based on current research conducted by Fisheries Victoria.

Anglers will be able to understand more about the biology of such an important recreational target fish species. Many people do not realise how long these fish can live or how much they move around.

The brochure has detailed information about released fish survival and some handy tips on things you can do to help reduce deep hooking and increase the chances of released fish surviving. The National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey conducted in 2000/2001 estimated that more than 800,000 individual undersized black bream were released in a year by Victorian recreational anglers.

The brochures were produced as part of a $26,400 grant awarded to Fishcare East Gippsland Inc. titled ‘Fishing for everyone forever’ from Round 1 the Australian Government’s Recreational Fishing Community Grants Program.

You can view, request or download a pdf file of this new product online from the resources page of the Fishcare website www.fishcare.org.au. The brochure will also be available from selected retail tackle stores.

Fishcare is a statewide community based organisation that promotes responsible and sustainable attitudes and practices amongst recreational anglers and the wider community.

This document was published on 13/02/2009 09:42:28.

Department of Primary Industries

Fisheries Victoria Fish-e-Fax

A fortnightly round-up of recreational fishery management issues

Fish-e-Fax Issue 217, 27 March 2008

Anglers monitor success of re-snagging project

Anglers are helping monitor the success of a re- snagging project in the Murray River between Lake Hume and Yarrawonga, which aims to improve the numbers of native fish in this stretch of the river.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) Arthur Rylah Institute launched the Re-snagging Angler Monitoring Program to assess the success of the re-snagging project.

The cooperation of anglers in monitoring the effect of the re-snagging on native fish has proven to be a valuable tool. So far 20 anglers have joined the program and are recording information on their fishing efforts and captures between Lake Hume and Yarrawonga.

The project commenced in July 2006 and is funded by the Murray Darling Basin Commission through ‘The Living Murray’ program. More than 3000 woody habitats (snags) have already been placed in the river to assist the recovery of many native fish species including Murray cod and the endangered trout cod. The snags are placed in parts of the river to act as habitat for fish to spawn, feed and avoid predators.

Anglers maintain logbooks and have been trained in removing the otoliths (ear bones) from fish that they are taking for the table. The otoliths are then used to determine the age and growth of the fish in response to the re-snagging work.

Fishers involved with the program have captured more than 65 Murray cod, with more than 95 per cent of these fish released. Other native species that have been caught and released include golden perch and the endangered trout cod.

External tags have been placed in around 15,000 native fish between Lake Hume and Tocumwal, and fishers within the program, as well as the wider community have been recapturing some of these fish.

If anglers catch a tagged fish they should record the number of the tag, the length of the fish and location of capture and call the number printed on the tag. This information is valuable to answering key questions about the benefits of re-snagging for ensuring the recovery and long- term sustainability of native fish populations.

Anglers who are interested in joining the program can contact NSW DPI Conservation Management Officer Matt Morrow on (02) 6042 4200.

Come join the fun at Lake Hyland

Victorian families looking for a fun outing should make their way to the free Family Fishing Festival at Lake Hyland, Churchill, on Saturday, 19 April.

The event is the first Family Fishing Festival at the lake and the first of a series throughout the state planned for 2008. Fisheries Victoria and partner organisations hosted five Family Fishing Festivals at Premier Lakes last year.

The Family Fishing Festival at Lake Hyland will feature instructed fishing workshops for children (4–16 yrs), casting and knot tying clinics, entertainment, a chef preparing seafood recipes, fishing prizes and give-aways.

Families are strongly encouraged to pre-register to reserve workshop places which are limited, by calling the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Lake Hyland is stocked with ‘ready to catch’ rainbow trout including Premier trout (> 1 kg) as part of Fisheries Victoria’s annual fish stocking program which aims to improve freshwater fishing opportunities.

Family Fishing events are a major component of the Government’s Go Fishing in Victoria initiative launched in 2006.

This $3.2 million initiative is part of the Government’s Moving Forward statement and aims to increase opportunities for recreational fishing across provincial Victoria by improving facilities and promoting fishing as a fun and healthy outdoor family activity.

For more information regarding the Lake Hyland Family Fishing Festival or to learn more about the Go Fishing in Victoria initiative visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/gofishing

Enhanced Recreational Fishing Program website launched

The Government’s 2006 Recreational Fishing and Boating Policy Statement committed to enhancing recreational fishing opportunities throughout Victoria. The policy identified a number of projects that would be delivered during the Government’s term by the Department of Primary Industries Fisheries Victoria and include:

• Creating a recreational fishing haven in Western Port by banning all commercial netting; • Increasing fish stocking by 30 per cent over four years; • Building a native fish production facility in northern Victoria; • Cracking down on fisheries crime by continuing the 13FISH offence reporting line; • Initiating an ‘adopt a stream’ program on a dollar for dollar basis to improve aquatic fish habitat; • Establishing a fish cleaning table program; • Trialling artificial reefs to determine their benefits; • Developing new fisheries; • Classifying rivers and streams throughout the state; and • Improving angler access for recreational fishers across Victoria.

For more information about these exciting projects or to learn more about the governments Recreational Fishing and Boating Policy Statement visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/enhanced fishing

This document was published on 04/03/2009 12:45:59.

Department of Primary Industries

Fisheries Victoria Fish-e-Fax

A fortnightly round-up of recreational fishery management issues

Fish-e-Fax Issue 218, 10 April 2008

Your fishing licence fees at work in Anderson Inlet

Licence-funded research and monitoring projects are providing valuable information about recreational fishing, fish stocks and fish habitats at Anderson Inlet. These are projects being run in accordance with the commitments made in the Anderson Inlet Fisheries Management Plan.

The $75,000 grant from the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account has contributed to several monitoring and assessment projects currently underway and one fish habitat study that is completed.

A 12-month creel survey is underway to obtain fishing catch and effort information by asking recreational fishers about their fishing experiences in Anderson Inlet. Creel surveys are a great way to interact with anglers and find out what they are targeting, what they are catching, their motivations and their level of satisfaction.

A further project is to establish a voluntary angler log book program and to analyse the size and age structure of catches of key target species such as estuary perch. This program relies on finding anglers who regularly fish the Inlet, and don’t mind keeping a detailed record of their catches in a log book.

The volunteer log book anglers measure all of their catch every time they go fishing; this information provides scientists with a cost effective way to monitor natural recruitment and stock status of key recreational species such as estuary perch, flathead and King George whiting in small estuarine fisheries such as Anderson Inlet.

A third project, which is now complete, was a seasonal survey of Anderson Inlet to identify the habitat preferences of key recreational target fish species. The survey, led by Dr Jeremy Hindell who is now a senior scientist with the Department of Sustainability and Environment, sampled forty-eight fish species, including nineteen of recreational value.

Channels within the inlet supported the greatest diversity of adult stages of recreationally important species with juvenile stages more likely to be found in or along the edges of vegetated habitats adjacent to the channels, including seagrass, salt marsh, mangroves and water reeds.

Anderson Inlet currently has one of the healthiest populations of estuary perch in Victoria. Large numbers of juvenile estuary perch were found in estuarine sections of the Tarwin River, Screw Creek and Pound Creek. Larger perch were also common throughout the estuary.

The $75,000 provided for the Anderson Inlet projects was one of 25 grants, worth $1.2 million in all, which were funded in the 2005/06 round of the Victorian Recreational Fishing Grant Program.

For more information about how angling licence fees are being spent to improve fishing opportunities and ensure fish for the future visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing/feesatwork or ring the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

New size limits for abalone in Victoria’s south west

The legal minimum length (LML) of abalone taken by both recreational and commercial divers in Victoria’s south-west has been temporarily increased to provide further protection for abalone populations recovering from the effects of the abalone virus.

The new LML, applying from the mouth of the Hopkins River west to the South Australian border, will be increased from 120 mm to 130 mm and is in place from 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009. A number of closures will apply to commercial abalone diving, while the area between The Crags and Killarney remains off limits to everyone looking to collect abalone, other shellfish and sea urchins, use commercial abalone equipment and remove substrate.

The increased LML and closures have been developed at the request of the commercial abalone industry and following consultation with the Victorian Recreational Fishing peak body (VRFish). The changes and closures are in force to help abalone stocks in the west rebuild in the wake of the virus that has been currently confirmed as east as far as Port Campbell, and west as far as Discovery Bay.

Recreational divers taking abalone outside of the closed area between The Crags and Killarney should continue using their plastic yellow abalone measures but should use the 130 mm measurement for greenlip, to ensure they comply with the temporary LML increase.

It is also important that commercial and recreational abalone divers continue to observe the Department’s biosecurity protocols, which aim to minimise the risk of spreading the virus. The wash , remove and dispose messages remain at the centre of the biosecurity protocols, which have been widely promoted throughout the southwest.

More information on the biosecurity protocols can be found at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/abalonedisease (follow the links to the biosecurity protocols webpage) or by ringing 136 186.

Lake Hume temporary boat speed restriction introduced

Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) advises all boat operators, water skiers and operators of personal watercraft that due to low lake levels, a temporary five-knot boat speed restriction has been introduced to some areas at Lake Hume, as marked by red buoys and shore beacons.

The manager of Murray and North East Dams, Stuart Richardson said “When the water level drops below the 10% level, large sawn-off tree stumps emerge or hide just below the water’s surface, and a speed restriction is required to protect the safety of water users”

The five-knot speed restriction has been effective from Monday 31 March 2008. It was introduced in the interests of public safety, with low water levels making conditions hazardous for recreational boating. G-MW and the Victorian Water Police will enforce the speed restrictions for Lake Hume.

This document was published on 14/04/2009 11:08:41.

Department of Primary Industries

Fisheries Victoria Fish-e-Fax

'A fortnightly round-up of recreational fishery management issues'

Fish-e-Fax Issue 219, 24 April 2008

Your fishing licence fees at work reveal Murray cod secrets

Freshwater anglers have been helping fisheries researchers with a three-year study which aims to learn more about Murray cod catches and fishing techniques.

Researchers interviewed over 700 recreational anglers during the 2006-07 Murray cod season, collecting statistics on catch, effort and fishing practices in sections of the Murray, Ovens and lower Goulburn Rivers. It was estimated that over 1 million hours of fishing effort had yielded a catch of 83,861 Murray cod, of which 75,922 or 90 per cent were released. This information, along with experimental data on post-release survival of Murray cod, will help estimate how many released cod survive and what factors contribute to their survival.

“We recorded the hook sizes anglers were using, the number of lines being fished, the location of hooks in captured cod and the landing method,” said Paul Brown, Senior Science Officer at the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Snobs Creek Centre.

The vast majority of cod, were shallow hooked in the mouth, lip or jaw, or externally. Only a few were hooked deep in the mouth. Anglers reported no observed injuries, other than the hook wound itself, for 90 per cent of all cod caught.

Mr Brown said that lures accounted for 16 per cent of cod caught with the remainder taken on bait. Bait fishers used a range of single hooks from a small size 6 up to a large 7/0, however most cod were caught on single hooks between 2/0 and 4/0.

Of the Murray River anglers 67 per cent fished mainly from a boat as opposed to the shore. This was high when compared to 32 per cent in the Goulburn River and 29 per cent in the Ovens River.

Covering a reach of 750 km, researchers were interested to find that while Murray cod were being caught at between 2 to 21 fish per hectare, anglers were experiencing lower catch rates for carp of between 0.5 and 9 fish per hectare.

Since December 2007 surveys have continued along the Murray River downstream of Torrumbarry weir to the South Australian border, and the Loddon River west of Bendigo.

This project received $111,500 from the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account and contributions from Fisheries Victoria and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.

For more information about ‘Your Licence Fees at Work’ visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing/feesatwork or ring the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Stream classification to be trialled in the North East

Public feedback will be sought on a draft stream classification model that will be trialled in the North East by Fisheries Victoria, with four public meetings planned for May.

The draft stream and river classification model will identify waterways as salmonid, mixed or native fisheries and aims to provide transparency and direction for the future management of Victoria’s inland fisheries. It has been developed by Fisheries Victoria in conjunction with Victoria’s Recreational Fishing peak body (VRFish) and members of the recreational fishing community.

The draft stream classification model will also help with the promotion of individual inland waters to ensure regional Victoria can continue to benefit from the tourism dollars injected into the local economy by recreational fishing activities.

The development of the model follows a 2006 State Government election commitment, which was in response to calls from the public and recreational fishing groups.

The stream classification model will be initially applied to five major rivers in the North East as part of the trial. These rivers, the Kiewa, Mitta Mitta, King, Ovens and Buffalo Rivers are largely defined by the natural range of where species will survive under current environmental conditions

Four public consultation meetings are scheduled for the North East and Melbourne in May, to brief recreational fishermen and get feedback on the draft model and its preliminary classification.

The final model will be completed by mid 2009 and applied across the state by a taskforce appointed by Fisheries Victoria and VRFish.

The State Government committed $13.5 million to recreational fishing at the last election. Included in this are projects such as the stream classification and increasing fish stocking of inland waters by 30 per cent over four years.

These activities will ensure Victoria has a thriving recreational fishing resource which can be enjoyed by current and future generations.

The dates for the stream classification public meetings are:

Town Date Time Bright Wednesday May 7 7 pm to 9 pm Wodonga Thursday May 8 7 pm to 9 pm Corryong Wednesday May 21 7 pm to 9 pm Melbourne Thursday May 29 7 pm to 9 pm

For further information on the meetings or to reserve a place for the public meetings, please contact Alison Gibson ( [email protected] or 03 9686 7077).

Fishy Fact – King George Whiting

King George Whiting are a popular recreational fishing species found along the Victorian coastline, and are renowned for their eating qualities. In Victoria they have legal minimum size limit of 27 cm and a bag/possession limit of 20.

Did you know? The Australian record for King George Whiting is 2.3 kg but they can grow to almost 5 kg!

This document was published on 15/04/2009 11:51:29.

Department of Primary Industries

Fisheries Victoria Fish-e-Fax

A fortnightly round-up of recreational fishery management issues

Fish-e-Fax Issue 220, 01 May 2008

Ban extended on taking timber from lakes

A ban on taking timber from 21 drought affected waters in Victoria to protect valuable woody habitat for native fish species, has been extended until March 2009.

The ban prevents people from taking or damaging timber that is below the high water mark in a selection of lakes and reservoirs across Victoria. It aims to protect woody habitat that, as a result of the drought, has been left exposed on the banks of many lakes and reservoirs.

Many people are collecting firewood at this time of the year and it is important that timber in these lakes and reservoirs is not removed or damaged. When water levels increase these logs and dead trees will provide valuable habitat and shelter for a wide variety of freshwater species including Murray cod, golden perch and redfin.

Fisheries Victoria has put considerable work into ensuring the recovery of stocks in inland waters in Victoria through annual fish stocking and catch limits. Protecting the habitat of fish species is also vital for this program to be effective.

The penalty for taking woody habitat could include fines of up to $2000.

Anyone who suspects illegal fishing activity or the removal of wood from these lakes and reservoirs can call the fisheries offence reporting line on 13 FISH (13 3474).

The ban applies to the following waters:

Lake Eildon Bellfield Reservoir Laanecoorie Reservoir Lake Eppalock Green Lake Rocklands Reservoir Cairn Curran Reservoir Lake Fyans Tullaroop Reservoir Lake Mokoan Lake Nillahcootie Toolondo Reservoir Lake Hume Lake Lonsdale Lake Glenmaggie Pine Lake Dock Lake Lake Batyo Catyo Jil Jil Lake Taylors Lake Booroopki Swamp

Dodgy fishing licence costs Coburg man $2000

A Coburg man has been fined $2000 after presenting a deliberately backdated fishing licence to Fisheries officers at Queenscliff in November last year.

The Geelong Magistrates Court was told the man was fishing at Queenscliff when officers requested to see his recreational fishing licence. He told them he had a ‘fishing licence’ but was not carrying it at the time. He was then directed to produce the licence within 7 days. He subsequently produced a licence to Fisheries staff that had been deliberately backdated.

He was then charged with providing false and misleading information and fishing without authority and fined $2000 as an aggregate penalty.

Fisheries officer, Brad Smith, said backdated fishing licences are relatively easy to detect and warned recreational fishers and divers they face stiff penalties.

Members of the public who see illegal fishing activities are urged to call the 24 hour reporting line, 13 FISH (13 3474).

Open season for spiny freshwater crayfish started

The recreational fishing open season for spiny freshwater crayfish, north of the Great Divide, began on Thursday 1 May. The recreational fishing season for Murray spiny crayfish is open for four months each year and is popular amongst anglers in northern Victoria.

Anglers should be aware that the Glenelg spiny freshwater crayfish fishery, in the state’s southwest, is currently closed for all fishing whilst research is being conducted into population levels.

The minimum legal size for spiny crayfish in Victorian waters north of the Great Divide is a carapace length of 9 cm. A bag/possession limit of five (of which no more than one crayfish may exceed 12 cm carapace length) also applies.

Anglers are reminded to make sure they are aware of current regulations for spiny crayfish within Victoria and must have a valid Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence. It is important that regulations for spiny crayfish are followed to protect the sustainability of the fishery for future generations.

Fishy fact – gummy shark

Gummy sharks are commonly found along the Victorian coastline and are a popular species targeted by recreational fishers for their fighting and eating qualities. Commercially their flesh is known as flake or by its older name Sweet William.

Gummy sharks are grey with small white spots and give birth to live young which are called pups. They generally grow to 5-6 kg and around 100 cm long.

Victoria’s gummy shark fishery has developed significantly in recent years. A main driver of this development has been the production of large female broodstock. Fishers are asked to consider the ongoing health of the fishery by limiting the take of large broodstock.

This document was published on 16/04/2009 15:39:34.

Department of Primary Industries

Fisheries Victoria Fish-e-Fax

'A fortnightly round-up of recreational fishery management issues

Fish-e-Fax Issue 221, 22 May 2008

Family fishing fun had at Lake Hyland

More than 80 families attended the Family Fishing Festival at Lake Hyland on 19 April. Over 160 children participated in fishing related activities that ranged from workshops with Fisheries Officers to knot tying classes with Fishcare volunteers.

Rainbow trout were stocked prior to, and again on the day of the event. Enthusiastic children were delighted to see the fish released into the lake. Some of these fish from the Fisheries Victoria truck weighed more than 1 kg each.

Children enjoyed the opportunity to catch the rainbow trout with some happy faces on those who successfully landed a fish. In addition, the casting clinics, fishy balloons, Flathead Fred shows, face painting, a jumping castle and cooking demonstrations also proved popular.

Nearly 700 rainbow trout stocked into Lake Hyland for the event offers great fishing opportunities for families over the coming months. More trout will be released prior to the June school holidays.

Lake Hyland is one of five Premier Lakes being developed across the State as part of the Government’s $3.2 million Go Fishing in Victoria investment in recreational fishing, which aims to increase participation in fishing, particularly amongst families.

Families going to Lake Hyland will be able to enjoy using a new BBQ facility and have improved fishing access with additional fishing platforms around the banks of the lake. Other Premier Lakes to host Family Fishing festivals this year are Eildon pondage, Kennington Reservoir (Bendigo) on 10 August, Lillydale Lake on 20 September and Jubilee Lake (Daylesford) on 18 October.

For more information about the Go Fishing in Victoria initiative visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/gofishing or ring the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Boat seized at Newport after tip-off from the public

A Deer Park man has had his boat seized and will be charged on summons after being intercepted at Newport by Fisheries Victoria officers with more than 40 fish. Fisheries Victoria Director of Field Services Mick Hodder said the man was intercepted after a call from a member of the public to the Fisheries Victoria offence reporting hotline 13 FISH.

“The man had more than 40 snapper and trevally on board, with the majority found by fisheries officers in a hidden compartment in the floor of the vessel,” Mr Hodder said.

“A boat, trailer and fishing equipment were seized and the man will be charged on summons for offences including exceeding the catch limit and taking undersize fish.”

The catch limit for snapper is 10 (with no more than three exceeding 40 cm in length). The catch limit for trevally is 20 with a minimum legal size of 20 cm.

“Catch limits are in place to ensure our fisheries remain sustainable and can be enjoyed by everyone, both now and for the future. The member of the public who contacted the 13 FISH reporting hotline is to be praised for their actions,” Mr Hodder said.

Members of the public can help support the work of Fisheries Officers by providing information about suspicious fishing activity, including time, date, location, number of people involved, vehicle registrations and descriptions of activity and equipment used, to 13 FISH. The reporting hotline 13 FISH (13 3474) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Phone call nets fish thieves in Yarra River

A phone call to the 13-FISH offence reporting line will lead to the charging of three men for illegally taking fish for sale from the Yarra River in Melbourne. The charges follow an early morning call from a member of the public about men catching fish in the Yarra, near Coode Island and then selling them to an unsuspecting Footscray fish retailer.

Fisheries Victoria will allege the three men, one a commercial fisher, were catching fish in an area that was protected from commercial fishing by law. Two of the men, from Geelong, were observed as they allegedly took fish caught in the Yarra and then sold them to the retail outlet using the commercial fisher’s licence as proof of their legality. The two men were then tracked to their Geelong addresses.

They will be charged on summons with illegally taking fish for sale and other matters. Their car, fishing equipment and fish were all seized as a result of this investigation.

Fishy fact – Southern calamari

Southern calamari are found along the Victorian coastline and prefer sheltered inshore bays and inlets in water depths less than 100 m.

Spawning takes place during spring with females laying small egg capsules that attach to rocks and weed. Once hatched the calamari drift to the surface and begin feeding. Calamari grow very quickly and only live for between 12 - 18 months. They can reach a weight of up to 3 kg but are generally caught around 1kg.

They are aggressive predators that target small fish and prawns and are capable of swimming very quickly. When in trouble they will release a cloud of black ink to confuse would be predators. Calamari should be handled with care when caught by anglers because their parrot like beak can inflict a nasty wound.

Calamari along with octopus and squid are cephalopods and are actually a type of mollusc, they are characterised by large well developed eyes and tentacles. Southern calamari have eight tentacles and two long arms with suckers they use to grab prey.

This document was published on 27/04/2009 11:02:19.