ALMOST one-fifth of the whale sharks in Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef Marine Park show major scarring or fin amputations, with the number of injured animals increasing in recent years, new research reveals. Distinctive scar patterns strongly suggest many of the whale shark injuries are caused by boat collisions, says whale shark scientist Emily Lester from the Australian Institute of Marine Science. …

AFTER a very dry start to summer with little rain, particularly on the southside of Brisbane, big prawns were scarce apart from in the Pine and Caboolture rivers, where good solid-sized medium prawns were about with a sprinkling of large, and a school of large bananas in the Albert River in November. There were good schools of small prawns everywhere …

THE weekend’s rain seems to have triggered a fish kill in the Tweed River around Murwillumbah. Inspections by Tweed Shire Council officers on January 21, 2020 revealed dead fish on the water’s surface between Condong and the Commercial Rd boat ramp in Murwillumbah. Council’s Waterways Program leader Tom Alletson said the numbers of dead fish were estimated to be 200 …

TAKE a selfie with one of Queensland’s fish-attracting devices and enter a competition to reel in some wicked prizes! GPS Marks There’s 10 FADs deployed from Double Island Point to the Gold Coast, so show Fisheries Queensland how much you’re loving fishing in this weather and you could win one of the prizes listed below. GPS Marks. How to enter: …

FISHERIES officers from the NSW Department of Primary Industries have continued to crack down on the illegal possession and sale of recreationally caught fish. NSW DPI Acting Director Fisheries Compliance, Anthony Chen, is reminding recreational fishers and restaurateurs to follow the rules or face the consequences. Mr Chen said the warning follows a number of convictions of fishers and restaurateurs …

AS part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to boost visitor and residents’ safety on K’gari (Fraser Island), two hefty fines have been issued under the recently increased penalties legislated for interfering with dingoes. Minister for Environment and Science Leeanne Enoch said the fines served as a timely dingo safe reminder that people need to be aware of the significant and …

MERCURY Marine is excited to announce its new partnership with the renowned All 4 Adventure team. Exploring the harshest and most beautiful parts of Australia for more than a decade, Jase Andrews and the All 4 Adventure team have continually pushed the boundaries of where they can go and what they can do on both land and water. And now, …

LEADING marine products retailer Boating and RV, which has stores at Capalaba, Slacks Creek, Tingalpa and Townsville, has joined with Bush ‘n Beach to bring you a regular column with some serious information and news about general boating products. Here, Director Aaron Hunt looks at how to reduce the likelihood of a fuel contamination problem stopping you at sea. Electrical, …

PREVIOUS columns in Bush ‘n Beach have detailed how as a boat owner, you may be held responsible for the costs of an environmental clean-up following a mishap involving your vessel. That’s yet another reason why insuring your vessel is so important, irrespective of how careful you think you are on the water. But did you know that unlike specialist …

WITH thousands of people enjoying the Great Barrier Reef during the summer holidays, visitors are reminded to follow responsible Reef practices and be Reef smart when out on the water or visiting islands. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Reef Protection acting general manager Belinda Jago said enjoying different activities and experiences throughout the iconic World Heritage Area needed to …