THE status of wild fish stocks that underpin Commonwealth fisheries has remained generally steady according to a new report from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences. ABARES executive director Karen Schneider said the fishery status reports 2015 showed that of the 92 fish stocks reviewed across the 21 Commonwealth fisheries, 63 stocks (or 68 percent) were …

NINE vessels and 22 people were caught breaking the law as part of a joint crab pot surveillance operation undertaken between Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol and Redland Bay Water Police targeting crab pot thefts in the Logan River. QBFP field officer Chris Watts said the operation was conducted following complaints by both commercial and recreational crab fishers involving crab pot …

A JOINT funding agreement between the Department for Transport and Main roads and Redland City Council will see long-awaited dredging works undertaken at the William St boat ramp and adjacent Raby Bay channel. The proposed works will deepen the entrance channel and dredge out the basin around the boat launching facilities at William St, Cleveland. Member for Cleveland, keen boatie …

BOAT lovers who buy a Mercury FourStroke outboard from 80hp to 150hp can now receive a free horsepower upgrade worth up to $1977. Mercury’s Festival of FourStroke is one of the best things about summer, and it’s back to make the holiday break that much better. You can also take advantage of an amazing Mercury Finance comparison rate of only …

ASSISTANT Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Senator Anne Ruston and Federal Member for Paterson Bob Baldwin have welcomed the news that the Geelong Star has voluntarily agreed to not fish in waters from Barrenjoey Headland, near Sydney, to Fraser Island, off Queensland until the end of April 2016. Minister Ruston said she was pleased an outcome had been achieved in …

The dangers of UV and blue light exist on cloudy as well as sunny days and in winter as well as summer. BluBlocker sunglasses reduce the sun’s glare in the summer but on cloudy days brighten and enhance the view. In short, they are all-season, all-weather sunglasses that balance and control the light intensity no matter when you wear them. BluBlocker …

A SUNSHINE Coast crabber has been fined $3900 for five charges including possessing female and undersized mud crab catches, using unmarked crab apparatus and obstructing officers. Queensland Boating and Fishing Patrol district officer Russell Overton said the crabber was approached walking along Kawana Way carrying a bucket. “As the officers approached, the crabber threw the bucket into nearby mangroves,” Mr Overton …

With less than 1 percent elongation under load, Ocea EX8 PE line ensures that whatever happens at the lure end is translated to the angler in an instant. The braid is available in spools of 300-400m and line weights of PE 1 to PE 8. Visit www.shimanofish.com.au for more information.

A through wire connecting all tow points is moulded into the lead weight, giving extra security in this vulnerable area. There is no doubt this lure is tough. Working with a strong vibration, the Fish Trap can be cast and retrieved in any depth or trolled for a unique presentation that shallow rock bar and weed bed fish just love. …

The Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol today destroyed a modified fishing boat used by three recreational fishers who were found guilty of illegal crabbing earlier this year. The boat, worth around $6000, had a secret compartment with 69 live mud crabs hidden in it by the illegal crabbers, was forfeited to the State along with its motor, trailer and crab …