Issue 136, 6 January 2005 ISSN 1443-0592 Journeys of a Lake Eildon Golden Perch To monitor the broadscale movement of stocked golden perch in Lake Eildon, researchers from PIRVic (Snobs Creek) implanted battery powered acoustic tags into several golden perch before releasing the fish back into the lake. Researchers captured one of these perch, that came to be known as ‘Number 5’, in Goughs Bay in September 2002 and subsequently released him in the Delatite Arm. Although researchers located this fish in the Delatite Arm of Lake Eildon for three months after release, he then disappeared for three weeks until an angler caught him in late November 2002 back in Goughs Bay. The angler had placed ‘Number 5’ in their live-well and had not noticed the dart tag protruding from the fish’s shoulder until later in the day, by which time he was fishing in the Big River Arm of the lake. The angler had subsequently released the fish in the Big River arm and later called PIRVic to report the capture. Researchers confirmed the angler report by finding ‘Number 5’ in the Big River Arm soon after, however the fish did not remain there long as researchers were unable to find him on return visits. Knowing that ‘Number 5’ had exhibited ‘homing’ behaviour once before, the researchers focussed their search effort and successfully located him again, back near Goughs Bay in January 2003. Once again though, ‘Number 5’ did not stay put, with researchers being unable to locate him in Goughs Bay after January 2003. ‘Number 5’ re-appeared in October 2004 when he was captured by researchers undertaking trout research in Woolshed Bay. Interestingly, he was captured along with a school of other large golden perch. In summary, ‘Number 5’ had been caught 3 times, once by an angler and twice by researchers. He had travelled back to the Goughs Bay area twice, once from the Delatite Arm and a second time from the Big River Arm. Researchers have completed the fieldwork component (tracking) of this project and a full report, including movements of other tagged perch, is expected in 2005. Improved Life Jacket Laws Will Save Lives A marine safety review designed to curb the death toll on Victorian waters has recommended that lifejackets, or Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs), be worn at all times by the occupants of powerboats up to 4.8 metres in length. The review also recommended that PFDs be worn by the occupants of powerboats between 4.8 and 12 metres in length, and all 'keel' and 'trailable' yachts at times of heightened risk – for example, when boating alone, at night or in hazardous conditions. The review, by Marine Safety Victoria (MSV), follows the death of 53 recreational boaters on Victorian waters in four years, 15 of them last year. Research by the Monash University Accident Research Centre found that of the 40 people killed as a result of boating incidents on Victorian waters between 1999 and 2002, 32 were not wearing lifejackets. Research also shows that the majority of boating fatalities in Victoria over the past 15 years have involved vessels under 4.8 metres in length. The review's findings were in line with recommendations by the State Coroner that PFD regulations be tightened to address the increasing number of boating fatalities on Victoria's waters. The Coroner has said that PFDs may have prevented most of the fatalities on Victorian waters in recent years. MSV's review and recommendations have taken into account more than 3,000 submissions from members of the public, the boating community and stakeholders. The proposed changes to PFD regulations do not apply to commercial operators while operating commercial trading and fishing vessels, or to boaters taking part in organised events and races. For the past two years MSV has increased its emphasis on boating safety education, even specifically focusing on the use of PFDs. Unfortunately, however, these efforts have not led to any significant decrease in the number of recreational boating fatalities. Before any changes are made to current PFD regulations, MSV will provide members of the public and the boating community with further opportunities to provide their feedback. A Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) will be available for comment in April 2005. It is anticipated that any necessary changes to current PFD regulations will come into effect on July 1, 2005. Full details of the proposed changes are available at www.marinesafety.vic.gov.au, by phoning 1800 223 022 or by emailing [email protected] Recreational Fishing from Charter and Hire Boats and with Fishing Guides A Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) covers all forms of recreational fishing in all of Victoria's marine, estuarine and fresh waters. Unless a person is exempt from the requirement to hold an RFL, a licence is required when fishing from a charter boat, hire and drive vessels, and/or through fishing guides. The RFL is available from many DPI/DSE offices, the DPI website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing, and more than 950 retail businesses throughout Victoria. The 48-hour and 28-day RFL can also be purchased at over 280 Shell Touch outlets. © State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries 2005 Reproduction is authorised – call 136 186 for conditions. This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purpose and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. Issue 137, 20 January 2005 ISSN 1443-0592 $ 900,000 to Safeguard East Gippsland Heritage Rivers In September 2004, Minister for Water John Thwaites announced that $ 900,000 would be spent on protecting two of Victoria's most valued 'heritage' rivers. The Mitchell and Bemm Rivers are among the highest value waterways in Victoria and are officially classed as 'heritage rivers' under the Heritage Rivers Act. Both rivers are essential nature conservation areas, and have immense recreational, social and cultural value for Gippsland. The rivers are currently at risk from willow and weed pollution, riverbank erosion, and loss of natural habitat. The funding was part of $ 100 million invested in protecting and repairing rivers across the state over the next four years as part of the Bracks Government's Our Water Our Future action plan. The East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and the Department of Sustainability and Environment will carry out the work, as part of the Victorian River Health Strategy. Inland Enforcement News A person from Cohuna was convicted and fined an aggregate of $ 3,200 and had all of their seized property forfeited for using/possessing commercial fishing equipment without authority, possessing fish taken illegally and for taking fish during a closed season. The offences were committed on Pyramid Creek near Kerang. A person from Narre Warren and another from St. Marys in New South Wales were fined $ 400 each for taking/possessing trout during a closed season. The offences were committed at Lake Dartmouth in Victoria’s northeast. Four people from Sunshine and Broadmeadows were fined $ 400 each and had all seized property forfeited and destroyed for using/possessing commercial fishing equipment without authority, possessing/taking undersize fish and taking more than the catch limit. The offences were committed at Lake Mokoan near Benalla. Another person from St. Albans was fined $ 750 for similar offences at Lake Mokoan. A person from Springvale South was fined $ 100 for possessing undersize fish and possessing more than the catch limit. The offences were committed on the Tambo River in Gippsland. National Strategy for the Survival of Released Line Caught Fish The National Strategy for the Survival of Released Line Caught Fish is an initiative of the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) in conjunction with the Australian National Sportfishing Association (ANSA) and Recfish Australia. The strategy aims to improve the understanding of, and increase the survival rates of, fish that are caught on lines and then released. The National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey, undertaken in 2000, estimated the recreational finfish catch in Australia at 107.7 million fish caught of which 47.3 million (43.9%) were released. The National Strategy involves projects aimed at the following outcomes: 1. Improving the survival of released line caught fish through: • A better understanding of the effects of capture on various species, • Increased adoption of best practices in handling fish prior to release. 2. Improving fisheries management through: • A reduction in the total mortality of released line caught fish, • Inclusion of estimates of survival rates from recreational catch and release in fisheries stock assessments. During 2003 there was a national campaign to promote best practices by recreational fishers in releasing fish. Prior to the campaign, a survey was undertaken to assess attitudes and practices in releasing fish. After the campaign had finished, a follow up survey was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of the campaign. A survey was also undertaken of tackle outlets to see if there had been any changes in the sales of tackle that improves survival rates such as knotless landing nets, circle hooks etc. The follow up survey showed that: • 35% of those surveyed had changed their practices as a result of the campaign. • 40-50% of the suppliers surveyed reported that sales of survival friendly gear had increased in 2003. All the data collected showed the campaign was very successful and that behaviour had changed. A non-technical summary of the project, plus other information about line caught fish that are released, is available from www.info-fish.net/releasefish The released fish website has recently been improved and many of the ‘Fact Sheets’ have been standardised and based on the best available scientific data with improved reference to material from which the information was derived.