AUSTRALIANS are well known for their fondness of seafood, especially over Christmas. In fact, around six million kilograms – or a staggering 40 percent – of our annual prawn consumption occurs over Christmas alone. So with the festive season on the doorstep, what better time to dive into some prawn facts. Fact 1: Where did you come from? Have you …

PERSONAL watercraft, which include jet skis, WaveRunners and Sea-Doos continue to outstrip all other types of powercraft in sales figures across Australia. This is due, in part, to the fact they are compact, easy to store, tow and launch, and can be great fun. Boating Industry Association President Darren Vaux said the trend in popularity looks set to continue this …

DEAR Minister, I understand the Bill to go to Cabinet on December 9, 2019 to progress the commercial allocation process for the Harvest Strategy has been further delayed. It is very important to get this Bill into the January sitting to be progressed. The recreational sector has co-operated with the process and has accepted a large reduction in catch of …

RESEARCHERS at Curtin University in Western Australia found a range of successful uses for dead carp, from fertiliser to feed. This could help use the large amounts of dead carp, which would be generated if the all governments in Australia decided to introduce the carp virus to control this pest fish. The study investigated various utilisation options which could also …

FROM time to time a new product appears that can make a positive difference to your fishing and save time and effort. I have had the opportunity to test drive a fantastic Australian-designed and manufactured product over the past month or so. It would make an ideal Christmas gift for that special angler in your life… or if you’re like …

QUEENSLAND fishers are set to reel in a great catch with the installation of 10 new fish-attracting devices (FADs) off the southeast Queensland coast this week. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the FADs are floating buoys tethered offshore to attract fish. “We’re creating a world-class experience by investing $1 million in these structures that will …

BOATIES heading out on southeast Queensland’s lakes this summer are being reminded to be vigilant for hidden dangers under the water with the region’s combined dam levels at 60 per cent capacity. After a drier than average year, Seqwater advises that lower water levels at some of their lakes have increased the danger of submerged and semi-submerged hazards in the …

COPIES of the definitive pocketbook guides for fisherfolk, four-wheel-drivers, caravanners and campers who go beachside on the eastern coastline, are now in retail outlets. The 2020 editions of the Tide Guide and Angler’s Almanac publications cover a 14-month period from now until December 2020. Since 1991 they have been informing people of the most likely times and tides to catch …

An exciting partnership between the South Australian Government and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is set to build a second shellfish reef for the state. With South Australia’s first 20-hectare shellfish reef near Ardrossan – Windara Reef – soon to be completed, a second reef for the state is now in the works. The new reef will be constructed in Adelaide’s …

Carp Virus – Researchers at the University of Adelaide found that in many Australian inland waterways, risks to water quality associated with the potential release of the carp virus would be minimal in many areas and manageable in others. “If the carp virus is released to control carp,” explains Principal Investigator Justin Brooks “the ecosystem will need to cope with …