Fishing News

IN every Australian coastal town, there’s a bait shop and a boat ramp and, in garages around the country, fishing rods await their next outing. Many of us have a special fishing spot and, from generation to generation, families pass on tips and exchange fishy tales of amazing catches and near misses. But the rich history of Australian fishing hasn’t …

QUEENSLAND anglers are gearing up for barra season, which re-opens at midday on Thursday, February 1. Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol district manager Greg Bowness reminded fishers to check the size and possession limits that apply to the iconic fish when the barra season opens. “Before dropping a line, it’s important that fishers refresh their knowledge of the rules and …

Fishing Holiday Maldives founder Hamish Taggart said, “We are thrilled to be launching these fly fishing experiences in the almost totally virgin Thaa Atoll, in partnership with COMO Maalifushi. With over 20 years’ experience fishing in this part of the Indian Ocean, I can honestly say the surrounding flats and diverse ecosystem near this resort make it the ideal location …

ON January 8, 2018, Western Australia (WA) modified its import requirements for prawns and polychaete worms easing the restrictions on Queensland products. The modified import requirements apply to crustaceans between Mooloolaba in Queensland and the New South Wales (NSW) border. Western Australia-approved businesses able to meet certain capture and processing requirements based in NSW and northern Queensland are now able …

Fisheries Queensland Deputy Director General Scott Spencer said initial investigations indicate a single peacock bass was caught and released below the Dumbleton Weir in December 2017. “The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has engaged environmental research group Catchment Solutions Pty Ltd who recently commenced sampling,” Mr Spencer said. “The aim of the sampling is to confirm whether there are peacock …

Ms Andersen said the Boating and Fishing Guide also includes comprehensive information on boating safety, rules and regulations. “We want to ensure our waterways are as safe as possible for all users, so the guide features detailed information about on board safety equipment and safe navigation,” she said. “Information on marine park zoning has also been included with a map …

NEW advisory material explaining how native fish respond to flows and what it means for recreational fishers has been developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries in partnership with the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. The video and series of infographics have been developed in close consultation with anglers across the NSW Basin through an Engaged Anglers Advisory Group. DPI Fisheries …

SURF Life Saving Queensland can confirm an irukandji has been found at Arch Cliff on Fraser Island during a drag conducted by surf lifesavers on Sunday, January 7. The specimen was sent to Assoc Prof Jamie Seymour at James Cook University to conclusively identify the species, which has been confirmed as a carukia barnesi, a true irukandji. SLSQ has been conducting …

A SIX-month closure of waters in an exclusion zone immediately adjacent to three operational NSW prawn farms at Yamba has been declared by the NSW Department of Primary Industries. The exclusion zone aims to mitigate the risk of spreading white spot disease to the prawn farms by excluding recreational fishing activity close to the water intake of the prawn farms. …

THE NSW Department of Primary Industries is calling on the public to remain vigilant this summer to ensure NSW remains free of white spot disease. NSW DPI is continuing its work to minimise the spread and keep white spot out of NSW, after it was detected in prawns in southeast Queensland in December 2016. DPI manager Aquatic Biosecurity Juliet Corish …