Fishing News

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 …

RECREATIONAL fisherfolk who come across great waterway scenes or who land superb catches against stunning backgrounds can now make money from doing what they probably would anyway – taking a few photos on their mobile phones. An Australian-designed and developed photography app, PicTrax, has been engineered to create a unique Australia-wide catalogue of great mobile phone shots. Postcard-style waterway locations …

QUEENSLAND Government scientists will assess the population biology of black jewfish in a new research project to better understand stocks and manage the species. Minister for Agricultural Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the three-year priority project would provide crucial information to help protect the sustainability of black jewfish. “We need to know more about black jewfish on the east …

QUEENSLAND recreational fishers, charter boat operators and other stakeholders in Queensland’s fisheries are being urged to take part and provide feedback in a survey to inform a project that is aiming to help rebuild stocks of snapper and pearl perch in the state. An assessment in 2019 found that in Queensland waters stocks of snapper and pearl perch were at …

A NORTH Queensland barramundi farm will produce a million fish a year through an intensive fish nursery and support more than 20 new regional jobs with a funding boost from the Queensland Government. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said barramundi farm Mainstream Aquaculture was one of 14 businesses in Queensland to receive a Rural Economic Development …

THE NSW Department of Primary Industries website has recently been updated to include a fantastic page dedicated to providing junior anglers with a stack of interesting info and kids activities! If your children are stuck at home due to COVID-19 restrictions, this innovative resource presents an excellent opportunity to not only keep them entertained with many a great kids activity, …

GREAT Barrier Reef research has found the destructive crown-of-thorns starfish is eaten more often than thought.  Crown-of-thorns starfish are on the menu for many more fish species than previously suspected, an investigation using fish poo and gut goo reveals. The finding suggests that particular fish including popular eating and aquarium species might have a role to play in keeping the destructive pest population under control. The native …

Tough coronavirus travel restrictions placed on Fraser, Stradbroke and Moreton islands off South East Queensland will be eased today (May 15 at 11:59pm) for day trips, however people cannot go camping there just yet. Fraser Island, North Stradbroke Island and Moreton Island have been off-limits during the coronavirus pandemic to anyone but people who live there or those delivering supplies. …

To estimate the age of fish, scientists interpret the growth structures of otoliths and count annual growth bands. Knowing the age of fish helps to assess the status of fish stocks. Using otoliths to estimate age of fish Otoliths (ear bones) help fish orientate themselves and maintain balance, acting like our middle ear. Otoliths are composed of a form of …