Fishing News

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 …

THE NSW Government is calling on anglers, community groups, councils and others to apply for funding under the Dollar for Dollar Native Fish Stocking program, with applications now open. NSW Department of Primary Industries Senior Fisheries Manager, Cameron Westaway said the Dollar for Dollar funding program complements the NSW Government’s native fish stocking recovery plan, by increasing fish stocking activities. …

WHITE spot disease has returned to southeast Queensland more than three years since the disease was first detected. Biosecurity Queensland undertook routine surveillance for white spot syndrome virus in Moreton Bay last month with mangrove swimming crabs returning positive for the disease. Subsequently, samples from two prawn farms on the Logan River in southeast Queensland also returned positive for white …

A RECREATIONAL fisher in Hervey Bay has been fined $5000 and ordered to pay restitution after admitting to interfering with commercial crab pots and illegally selling mud crabs. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the man was caught after Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers began investigating reports of people interfering with commercial crab apparatus in …

THE Easter four-day weekend is typically a wonderful time for boating across Australia but 2020 is far from a typical year, with the Boating Industry Association urging people to please stay home this Easter. Fires, floods and now a pandemic have made this an extraordinary and challenging time. The BIA supports government countermeasures to protect Australians from the full impact …