Fishing News

ARTIFICIAL reefs and fish-attraction devices could be on the cards to boost the Northern Territory’s recreational fishing experiences and enhance its reputation as a world-class fishing destination. A tender recently released by the NT Government has called for advice on the design and engineering specifications required to create scientifically developed and managed artificial reef systems and FADs. Primary Industries Minister …

SIGNIFICANT flooding events following the impact of tropical cyclone Debbie may have further enabled the spread of tilapia, a pest fish species, throughout the Fitzroy Basin. Characterised by an aggressive nature, highly successful breeding patterns and few predators, tilapia, nicknamed the ‘cane toad of the waterways’, are defeated only through human intervention, according to Fitzroy Basin Association senior project officer …

AUSTRALIA has lifted the ban it imposed in January on importing uncooked Vietnamese shrimp products. Vietnamese companies may resume importing raw prawns caught in Australia for processing and export them to Australia for consumption. The decision was made after the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources received written confirmation by the National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department under Vietnam’s Ministry …

ON November 1, 2015, three net-free zones were established in Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton. QLD’s net-free zones The objective of the NFZs is to increase recreational fishing opportunities in Queensland, thereby supporting tourism and economic growth. Surveys undertaken in 2015 and 2016 examined whether recreational fishers’ satisfaction and expectations of fishing in NFZs changed following the introduction of the NFZs. Recreational …

FISHERIES ministers from across the Pacific have converged on Mooloolaba, Queensland today to meet about the future of critical tuna fisheries. Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Anne Ruston said the 14th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting would discuss the sustainable management of fisheries in the Pacific, particularly tuna fisheries. “In 2015 the global tuna catch was valued at …

Reef recovery, the Cairns area will be the target of a month-long compliance blitz that has recreational fishers poaching from green zones set firmly in its sights. With areas off Cairns ranked among the Great Barrier Reef’s most prolific illegal recreational fishing hot spots, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and its partners are cracking down on anyone breaking …

Full briefings and an education process will be offered for technology deficiencies. The new process might sound daunting but it’s all pretty simple and AFT has all angler anxieties covered. The all-new 2017 Evans Head Fishing Classic will run from July 7 to July 14 and AFT has introduced a slew of random prizes, a whole new schedule and its …

BIOSECURITY Queensland is conducting surveillance after a single Asian green mussel was confirmed at a site south of Weipa. Biosecurity Queensland Invasive Plants and Animals general manager John Robertson commended Rio Tinto employees for their vigilance and rapid response in reporting the pest to Biosecurity Queensland. “A marine biologist conducting routine surveillance as part of Rio Tinto’s monitoring spotted the …

THE Queensland Government today introduced a new biosecurity regulation aimed at strengthening the containment of white spot disease and further protecting Queensland’s multi-million dollar seafood industry. Chief Biosecurity officer Dr Jim Thompson said this regulation has been introduced to contain white spot disease and prevent further outbreaks. “The new regulation provides a balance between preventing further outbreaks of the disease and …

THE Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is undertaking a review of the import conditions for prawns and prawn products for human consumption. The review will consider the biosecurity risks for these imports from all countries and recommend appropriate import conditions to manage these. This review will be conducted through a comprehensive non-regulated risk analysis of existing import conditions …