Fishing

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 …

A lot of the plastics cast and jigged at flathead will be engulfed, which will have your leader rubbing across the flathead’s raspy teeth. Anything under a 10lb leader will struggle to stand up to the sharp teeth of a flatty. Always check the leader after every fish, especially if the lure has gone down the flatty’s throat. A worn …

THE Pacific’s fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing has been further strengthened today with the ratification of the Niue Treaty Subsidiary Agreement. Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Anne Ruston said the treaty would be of significant benefit to Australia’s broader security and development aims in the Pacific region. “The treaty establishes a legal framework for conducting a …

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 …

Adults will be competing to take out a variety of fish categories including snapper, pearl perch, mulloway, tailor, kingfish/cobia, amberjack/samson fish, whiting, bream, blackfish and flathead. Cadets can target the usual estuary suspects of flathead, whiting and bream. All fish are to be alive when pictures of the fish are taken on a brag mat approved by the organisers. Brag …

“It is important that recreational fishers understand that a person must not unlawfully take, possess or sell a regulated fish. Recreational fishers must also be reminded that there are limits on the amount of Fisheries resource they can take.” If you suspect illegal fishing, whether seen in person or online, report it to the Fishwatch hotline on 1800 017 116. …

If you would like to join me on a charter, give me a call on 0433 732 310, check out the Moreton Bay Charters Facebook page or visit moretonbaycharters.com.au Until next month, stay safe on the water.

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 …