STORIES of the ‘one that got away’ might become a thing of the past for Toowoomba anglers thanks to an Australian-first program to install fish attractors in Cressbrook Dam. Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Senior Fisheries Biologist Andrew Norris said fish attractors were specially built structures designed by DAF researchers to attract fish. “Fish attractors mimic natural habitat such as …

THE latest research from Roy Morgan has further validated Isuzu UTE Australia’s continual drive for excellence in product reliability and after-sales service, with recent reports placing IUA second for the first four months of the year (January to April). Over the past year, IUA’s score was up 2.4 percent, taking it to 96.4 percent (to the end of April 2018), …

MERCURY’S latest offering – a new line of three-litre diesel engines for sterndrive, inboard and water-jet applications – has been released at the Sydney International Boat Show. Available in 150hp, 230hp and 270hp variants, these engines have been engineered, developed and tested over the past three years to lead their class in several key attributes: Acceleration; Reliability; Ease of installation …

THE NSW Government is working with fishers to ensure the future of one of NSW’s most prized fish species. Minister for Primary Industries Niall Blair said mulloway is a highly regarded sportfish and an important commercial species. “In 2013, the NSW Government introduced a recovery plan with a number of new rules to halt the decline of mulloway stock and …

EXCEEDING pipi possession limits has seen two recreational fishers fined a total of $8000 in the Noosa Magistrates’ Court. Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said the two fishers were caught on Teewah Beach with a total of 3591 pipis in June 2017. “The possession limit for pipis in Queensland is 50 per person, so the two fishers had in their possession …

THE meaning behind the classic ‘oils ain’t oils’ slogan from television advertisements featuring Sol and his gangster mates also holds true in some respects when it comes to insuring boats. Not in the context of engine oils or two-stroke and four-stroke technologies, but in terms of boat construction materials and where the vessel’s engine is located. If you want to …

TAKING excess coral reef fish, which were to be sold on the black market, has landed two Townsville recreational fishers $17,000 in fines. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the two recreational fishers pleaded guilty in the Townsville Magistrates’ Court to unlawfully taking 63 coral reef fin fish. “The magistrate stated their actions were deliberate and …

QUEENSLAND’S new Rocky Reef Fishery Working Group will be asked to identify options to rebuild the snapper stock, which continues to be considered overfished. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner announced the new working group, which will provide advice to the government on managing fisheries including snapper, pearl perch, teraglin jew, yellowtail kingfish, cobia and mahi mahi. …

RECREATIONAL fishers will be hitting the water this weekend as the annual closed season for Australian bass comes to an end. Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol Technical Support Officer David Kahler said Australian bass had been off-limits in Queensland tidal waters from 1 June to 31 August 2018 to protect the species during its breeding cycle. “Fishers can return to …

IN June 2017, the Queensland Government released the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy 2017-2027, paving the way for Queensland to have a world-class fisheries management system. These reforms will ensure healthy fish stocks that will support thousands of Queensland jobs. One year on from the release of Queensland’s Sustainable Fisheries Strategy and there has been very positive progress towards implementing the action …