The Coalition Government is backing the development of world first portable x-ray fluorescence technology that aims to easily identify Australian grown seafood and protect against seafood fraud. Our Government is investing $202,500 into the Australian Nuclear Science Technology Organisations world-leading project, which is one of 16 to share in $4 million in funding under the first round of our Traceability …

The Queensland Government says its new safety exclusion zone around shark control equipment has proven a successful deterrent since its introduction last year. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said heavy fines for people interfering with shark control gear were introduced, and he was pleased Queenslanders had listened to the important safety messages. “There are tens of …

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers have hauled a raft of illegal crab pots from Far North Queensland waterways in their latest clean-up operation. Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said 70 unmarked pots were pulled from Dickson Inlet, Mowbray River and Mossman River over two days. “Crabbing is one of Queensland’s most popular forms of fishing and the problem of …

I’M FINALLY back in the kayak, back on the dams, back into fishing and with five tips for targeting deep-schooled bass. Sounder Most of the southeast Queensland impoundments I fish are massive. With copious arms and bays to explore, my number one piece of equipment is a good quality fishfinder. This will assist with reading the bottom of the impoundments, …

THE latest stock assessment of common coral trout (plectromous leopardus) has estimated the spawning biomass of the population to be 59 percent. Biomass estimates are used to determine the status of the stock of coral trout and also the level of fishing required to enable stocks to reach the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy target of 60 percent unfished spawning biomass. The …

IN a boost for both recreational fishing and the environment, new UNSW research shows that artificial reef domes can increase fish abundance in estuaries with little natural reef. Researchers installed six manmade reefs per estuary studied and found overall fish abundance increased up to 20 times in each reef across a two-year period. The study, published in the Journal of …

Where is your nearest frame drop-off location? NSW DPI Fisheries currently has 31 Research Angler Program locations from the Tweed Fisheries office in the north to the Eden Fisheries office in the south, making it easy for you to contribute to this important citizen science program. Many local tackle outlets – such as the Nambucca Heads Boatshed and Cafe (pictured) …

NSW’s newest offshore artificial reef will feature a specially designed 10m high “fish grotto” as well as innovative “arrowhead” reef modules boasting unique habitat features to attract and hold key sportfish including Spanish and spotted mackerel, cobia, kingfish, amberjack and samsonfish. DPI has awarded a contract for Pacific Marine Group to construct and install the new reef off Tweed Heads. …

An illegal fisher has been apprehended during a weekend near Warren, following a joint operation between NSW Department of Primary Industries’ Fisheries officers and NSW Police Rural Crime Unit, Acting Director NSWDPI Fisheries Compliance, Dr Andrew Moriarty said. Two men, a 49-year-old man from Dubbo and a 58-year-old man from Wongarbon, were apprehended on Saturday 27 June 2020 on the …

Snapper and pearl perch will be no-take species in Queensland waters for one month starting July 15 (from 12.01am). Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said this new closure would apply to all fishers – commercial, charter and recreational. “This seasonal closure is similar to spawning closures for barramundi and reef fin fish species, which have been …