Page 85 - Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine

Fish stocking issues
OTilapia continue to move
UR waterways like it arrived by a de- what you think is a are an asset liberate introduction. tilapia, freeze it and many of us So, what will hap- contact biosecurity.
have come to cherish. pen now? There are also op-
Whether for the op- portunity of getting outdoors with friends and family or the sol- itude it provides us and the chance to re- flect on the important things in our lives.
Probably nothing.
portunities to report possible sightings on- line through the bios- ecurity website.
The scourge that is tilapia continues to raise its head.
We need to be talk- ing about our native fish communities and how fragile they are.
In this instance, an ugly head.
We cannot allow these pests to con- tinue to spread.
During June, work- ers at Mt Morgan Dam came across this critter.
The Fitzroy catch- ment lies adjacent to a large portion of the northern Murray Darling Basin.
Don’t release any aquarium or pet fish species.
A very well-devel- oped male Mozam- bique mouthbrooder.
It is vital that the MDB remains tilapia free.
Especially do not deliberately release any pest fish species.
I hadn’t seen one like this before.
The concerning thing about this par- ticular fish is there was no way it swam into Mt Morgan Dam.
The spread needs to stop.
Release of declared noxious fish species attracts a huge fine, but the environmen- tal consequences are- disastrous.
Mt Morgan Dam is a relatively large structure on the Dee River, fairly high up in the Fitzroy River catchment.
Much of this is com- mon knowledge to the Freshwater Fish- ing and Stocking As- sociation of Queens- land Inc. members and associates.
Be aware of what catchment you are in and only collect live bait from the area you are fishing in.
Tilapia are present in the Fitzroy River system.
In this viral age of COVID-19, and espe- cially as people begin to venture back into the great Queensland outdoors, it is impor- tant to remind our- selves of what this pest is capable of and what it looks like.
FFSAQ members have access to good resources to identify pest fish.
Yet even with the biggest flood, there was no possible way this fish could have got there by itself.
For further infor- mation contact Rod Cheetham on 0427 514 704 or rch37222@ gmail.com
It’s pretty obvious this fish and others
If you have caught
Once tilapia have been found in a rela- tively large system there is no way eradi- cation is plausible.
Know how to distin- guish tilapia from our native fish.
So, we need to re- main vigilant.
Report any suspect- ed sightings online through biosecurity: https://www.daf.qld. gov.au/business-pri orities/biosecurity/ invasive-plants-ani mals/pest-fish/report- a-pest-fish-sighting or phone 13 25 23.
* from P84
each week, and regard- less of what people think, it’s a ‘put and take’ system.
I keep beating this drum, and still the re- sponse received has been “no more taxes.”
What is of concern though is the funding for this fishing format.
What a weak and wet reply.
This year around $65 million was to be giv- en out for restocking our freshwater species across the board.
You’re told that there are ways of getting grants to put towards your ventures.
Last call
Show me a grant of $35 million a year that you can apply for – there’s no such thing.
If someone was to suggest that for ten cents a day per angler for all age groups 18 years and over, $35 million could be raised each year, wouldn’t you jump at the chance to use those funds to bet- ter recreational fishing throughout Queens- land?
When are we going to see some sort of intestinal fortitude by those who choose to stand up for election to represent recreational anglers in Queensland, for ten cents a day?
I know I would, for both freshwater and saltwater.
This would bring the state to the forefront of recreational fishing in Australia.
A recreational fish- ing license at a cost of $35 a year for the next 10 years would raise $35 million to improve fishing in Queensland.
Ask your local elect- ed politician if they can push for such a format to take place.
I ask you to put your phone to good use.
It’s not a tax, it’s a re- turned can or bottle.
Lismore angler Jeff Carter with a healthy winter cod.
www.bnb shing.com.au
Bush ’n Beach Fishing, September 2020 – Page 85