Table of Contents FFSAQ’S News Items 2019 FFSAQ News ..click on month January 2019 ..................................................................................... 2 March 2019 ...................................................................................... 11 April 2019 ......................................................................................... 16 May 2019 ......................................................................................... 21 July 2019 .......................................................................................... 26 August 2019 ..................................................................................... 31 June 2019 ......................................................................................... 36 September 2019 .............................................................................. 41 October 2019 ................................................................................... 45 November 2019 ............................................................................... 50 Press Home Key or Cntrl Home To return to this index FFSAQ News January 2019 Media Officer - Lloyd Willmann [email protected] Ph. 0429 614892 From the Media Officer's Desk :- Freshwater Workshop: DAF are still waiting for some delegates to complete the survey on the Warwick workshop. Your response will allow DAF and FFSAQ to tailor future workshops to your needs. Stocking Groups ... could you please ask your delegate/s to complete the survey (if they haven't done so already) by clicking on the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/stockingworkshopfeedback From DAF: Dear fisheries stakeholder The Queensland Government has released the “Directions Paper of fisheries reforms” to ensure all fishers and the broader community are aware of the Government’s direction on how best to manage the priority fisheries and the next steps. The proposed changes will apply to both commercial and recreational fishers. The reforms are expected to be implemented by September 2019. There is still an opportunity for people to provide input into the details of the reforms when proposed regulatory amendments are released for consultation over coming months. There will be further opportunities to have your say on: (1) allocation approaches for species moving to quota management and allocation of existing trawl effort units to the proposed management regions for affected commercial fishers; and (2) draft regulatory changes for all stakeholders in 2019. The need for fisheries reform in Queensland has been an ongoing discussion over a number of years, starting with the MRAG review in 2014, followed by the Green Paper in 2016, which received more than 11,000 submissions. The overwhelming message was that all stakeholders want the management of fisheries to be reformed. The current system is not fit for purpose. There are few catch limits, poor compliance, and high conflict between stakeholders and concerns about bycatch and protected species interactions. Doing nothing is not an option. We want our fisheries to be sustainable for the future, to be profitable for our commercial fishers, enjoyable for our recreational fishers and to maintain access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to our fishers for traditional fishing and commercial fishing development. The Queensland Government has sought input from all sectors about reforms needed to our major fisheries. Independent advice has also been provided over the last 12 months through the Sustainable Fisheries Expert Panel. The Directions paper intends to provide certainty to fishers about the reforms that will be implemented, through amendments to the Fisheries Regulation 2008, later in 2019. The Directions paper can be viewed online at https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries/sustainable/sustainable-fisheries-strategy/fisheries-reforms Don’t be a fishing fool – know your rules JUST like fresh Queensland prawns for Christmas lunch, fishing and summer are a perfect match. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said taking your children out fishing over the summer holidays, or just going out on the water with friends, created lifetime memories. “But if you are planning a fishing trip this holiday season, don’t forget to check the rules before you drop a line in the water,” Minister Furner said. “It’s important everyone is aware of and follows the rules, which ensure sustainable fisheries for future generations of Queensland fishers. “Everybody, regardless of whether they are experienced or first-timers, should familiarise themselves with the relevant rules that apply, including size and possession limits, how to correctly measure fish, fishing gear restrictions and closed seasons. “There are different rules for fishing in tidal and fresh waters, marine parks and interstate.” The minister said anglers could also buy a Stocked Impoundment Permit and then go fishing in any of our 63 stocked dams and weirs. “Stocked impoundments are replenished regularly, making them the perfect sustainable fishing option,” he said. “Species stocked include barramundi, golden perch, silver perch, Australian bass, Mary River cod, Murray cod and saratoga.” The cost of an annual permit is $50 per person, $36 for concession card holders or $10 for a weekly permit. Permits are available at fisheries.qld.gov.au, by calling 1300 575 359 or at any Australia Post outlet in Queensland. Fishing tips and responsibilities • Check your limits – For a list of size and possession limits, visit fisheries.qld.gov.au or download the Qld Fishing app. • Measuring devices – Use a ruler with an end stop to measure the length of your fish or a crab gauge to measure your crabs. • Identify your catch – Always carry a fish identification guide or download the Qld Fishing app. Fish that look similar can actually be different species with different size and possession limits. If you can’t ID it, free it. • Gently does it – When a fish is hooked, avoid playing it on the line for too long. A stressed fish will quickly become exhausted and have less chance of survival if required to be released. • Check your gear – A number of restrictions apply to fishing gear. Check the rules at fisheries.qld.gov.au • If it’s not yours, don’t touch it – Interfering with crab apparatus you didn’t set is illegal. If you see apparatus that may have been abandoned, report it to Fishwatch on 1800 017 116. To report any suspected illegal fishing activity, call the Fishwatch hotline on 1800 017 116. For more information on Queensland fishing rules including fish identification and SIPs, visit the Fisheries Queensland website, call 13 25 23 or download the free Qld Fishing app from Apple and Google app stores. You can follow Fisheries Queensland on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@FisheriesQld). Spotlight on Stocking Groups: In this issue, Peter Taylor of the Toowoomba & District Fish Stocking Association Inc. gives us the complete story, from start up to current status of the Association. FFSAQ Display Trailer & Aquarium: There were no events attended by FFSAQ this month, however, the display trailer will be at the Boondooma Dam Yellowbelly Fishing Competition on the 9th & 10th February. ******* Toowoomba and District Fish Cooby dam - the sailing club had exclusive Stocking Association Inc. rights for using the dam for sailing club events but NO fishing or swimming. Toowoomba and District Fish Stacking Perseverance Dam - the Toowoomba Water Association was formed in the early 80's in Ski club had exclusive use for members only conjunction with the start of the then and NO general public access. Queensland State Governments Fresh Water Cressbrook Dam - this dam was closed Fish Enhancement project which was the start completely to any public access and was of fish stocking projects in the western river owned and built by the then Toowoomba City systems along with the many water storage Council but was in the Crows Nest Shire dams including town water supply dams and Council creating a few issues as Crows Nest irrigation dams. was all for getting it opened up to public use In Toowoomba we have 3 water supply dams !!!! and at that stage, none were open for general The two councils, along with a few others have public use or activities, so to start stocking since amalgamated to form the Toowoomba them and get them open to public access for Regional Council. activities such as fishing was going to be a We started the ball rolling and formed the huge challenge (which it was ). TDFSA and called for people to join with the At that time - vision of getting Cooby stocked along with Cressbrook and getting council to agree to open up both dams for recreational use, Cressbrook will definitely be opened up to including fishing. public use including fishing !!!!!!! " We offered membership for a fee of $15.00 per From that point on we ramped up the pressure annum and when asked what they get for their and after approaching the State Government $15.00, the answer ... "the privilege of knowing Minster, Tom Burns started to apply some that they helped stock the dams ". pressure as well, which was a great help to our We also sold life membership for $250.00 to cause and once again to cut a very very long both individuals and local businesses for the story short, Cressbrook was opened in the late same privileges, but they were given a wooden nineties. Cressbrook dam is in the Eastern plaque (big deal ), but I might add it gave us drainage system which allows the stocking