Fishing News

FISH swim bladders have become the latest fad in the seemingly insatiable Asian market for natural substances that enhance sexual prowess. Here in Queensland, our two major species of jewfish stocks are ‘well endowed’ in the swim bladder department, to the extent that their stabilising organs are now suddenly worth many times the value of their fillets. The rush to …

THE NSW Government and Surf Life Saving NSW recently announced $14,000 worth of measures to further protect beachgoers on the NSW North Coast this summer. Two additional drones will be added to the current suite of drones, as well as investing in essential equipment for shark incident response, including shark alarms and PA systems, megaphones and lifesaving heavy-duty trauma kits. …

JUST like fresh Queensland prawns for Christmas lunch, fishing and summer are a perfect match. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said taking your children out fishing over the summer holidays, or just going out on the water with friends, created lifetime memories. “But if you are planning a fishing trip this holiday season, don’t forget to …

THE RSPCA has acknowledged it supports a ban on game fishing following the recent weighing of a 1431lb marlin at Hervey Bay. RSPCA Queensland principal scientist Dr Mandy Patterson told ABC local radio the RSPCA strongly opposes game fishing on the grounds of suffering. “The RSPCA has actually had a long-standing policy opposing game fishing because of the suffering that …

THE Queensland Government is seeking public feedback as it considers closing Moreton Bay to shellfish collecting. Fisheries Queensland executive director Claire Andersen said there continues to be a serious level of non-compliance with fisheries regulations for collecting shellfish, particularly at Sandstone Point. “This year, 74 fisheries infringement notices with fines of $19,386 have been issued for unlawful collecting of molluscs …

FORMER Australian and Brisbane Heat cricketer Nathan Reardon is advocating for overworked and stressed Australians to go fishing to escape their everyday this Christmas season. Fishing has become the nation’s largest participatory sport and leisure activity, with about five million Australians involved in recreational and charter fishing activities each year. Studies show fishing builds strength, flexibility and fitness, is great …

CSIRO’s southern bluefin tuna research team was recently presented with two prestigious awards at the 2018 CSIRO Awards ceremony: the CSIRO Impact from Science Award and the Sir Ian McLennan Achievement for Industry Award. The awards recognise the delivery of three transformative pieces of science for the assessment and management of the valuable and highly contested international fishery for southern …

THREE prawn farms on the Logan River previously affected by white spot disease are now back in production after a twelve-month fallow period. The ponds on the prawn farms are currently stocked with post larvae which will be ready for harvest next year. Biosecurity Queensland will regularly visit and work with the farms to monitor their progress during the production …

AUSTRALIA’S recreational fishers are being encouraged to get behind a new national campaign to restore degraded waterways, improving habitats and fish numbers. National not-for-profit organisation OzFish Unlimited has partnered with leading retailer BCF to launch the ‘Give Back to Habitat’ initiative. The opening of the Moreton Bay Shellfish Recycling Centre is just one part of the journey to restore Australia’s …

THE Queensland Government is delivering on its commitment to research into the numbers and behaviour of sharks in Cid Harbour following recent attacks at that location. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said a request for quote was issued today to a number of research organisations and companies. “We want to know what’s going on at Cid …