PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture is asking for public help to keep a look out for unlicensed and suspected illegal netting activity in Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf.

Regional Fisheries Manager Central North, Paul Faithow, said illegal netting can have a significant impact on fish stocks, which is why it is so important that the public report any suspected offences.

“If we can encourage recreational fishers, boat owners, and the community in general to be on the lookout for unlicensed illegal netters, then that’s a lot of eyes and ears out there, which will be a major help in protecting our fish stocks for future generations,” Mr Faithow said.

“Licensed commercial netting is permitted, however the industry is highly regulated and limited to a set number of commercial fishers.

“Unlicensed and illegal netting places additional pressure on fish stocks and if unchecked could have serious, disastrous affects on future fish stocks.

“Generally speaking illegal netting offenders are found taking huge amounts of fish species, many of which are undersized.

“If people see any suspicious fishing activity on the water they should report it to FISHWATCH on 1800 065 522.

“Severe penalties apply to anyone found to be illegally using nets to fish.

“Offenders face fines of up $100 000 or four years imprisonment as well as the seizure of any items used in the offence.”

PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture has extended the temporary recreational Pipi (Goolwa Cockle) closure on Goolwa Beach for a further month due to ongoing concerns of high E.coli levels in the waters and local Pipi stocks.

Continued testing by the South Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (SASQAP) has shown that levels of E.coli are still above what is considered safe for human consumption on both sides of the Murray Mouth.

The closure will now remain in place until midnight on 4 May 2011 pending further testing.

The closure covers the entire Goolwa Beach from the Murray Mouth to Middleton Point near Mill Terrace at Middleton.

Senior Fisheries Manager, Dr Lianos Triantafillos, said that SASQAP will continue to monitor the situation and conduct further testing, however until the E.coli count drops to a safe level, the closure will remain in place,” Dr Triantafillos said.

“I’d like to commend recreational fishers who regularly fish for Pipis for their on-going cooperation with the closure.” Dr Triantafillos said.

Temporary signs will be erected at Goolwa Beach notifying the public of the extension to the closure.

More information available at: www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishing

A map of the closed area can be found on the PIRSA website: http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/fisheries/recreational_fishing/closures/closed_areas

Did you know you can report a fishing offence via the PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture website.

PIRSA has set up the anonymous and confidential online reporting function for those who would prefer not to report an offence via the Fishwatch Hotline.

What information you need to give
When reporting a suspected fishing offence, it is important to provide as much detail as you can. This should include the following (where possible):
• Where the offence took place (if you only know the local name for the area, give as much detail as you can about how to get to the area)
• The type of illegal activity (for example taking of undersized fish, using prohibited gear such as nets)
• A description of the suspected offenders, including the clothing they were wearing
• Names of the suspected offenders, if known, and any distinguishing features
• Registration numbers of vehicles, vessels or trailers
• The date and time of the activity
• Any other information you feel may be useful, for example where the vehicles used are parked if away from the area of activity, the direction from where the suspect vessel came and any other suspicious activity that might be associated with the offence

Just go to: http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/fisheries/fishwatch/illegal_activities  
 

Minister for Fisheries Michael O’Brien said today South Australia’s reputation as one of the world’s best managed fisheries put the state in a solid position to benefit from nationwide retail campaigns in support of sustainable seafood.

Minister O’Brien says retail chains Coles and Woolworths have both recently announced new policies to only stock sustainably-certified seafood in their stores across Australia.

“While this approach should be commended, both supermarket chains should look beyond seafood certified by environmental groups to also look to South Australia as a world leader in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture management,” Minister O’Brien says.

“Just because a fishery does not have an independent certification such as those offered by the Marine Stewardship Council or Worldwide Fund for Nature that does not mean it is not sustainable.

“South Australia’s fisheries management arrangements, including our stock assessment methods have proven to be accepted as international best practices.

“For example, the Spencer Gulf prawn fishery was recently recognised as being one of the best managed fisheries in the world, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.

“In its report “A global study of shrimp fisheries”, the organisation praised the Spencer Gulf prawn fishery as a global model of fair, flexible and accountable management.”

Minister O’Brien says South Australia has had strong fisheries management legislation since 1968 which requires sustainable use, development and protection from over fishing.

“This strong legislation has allowed South Australia to enjoy sustainable fisheries and regional economic development and has also resulted in some of our world first management initiatives being recognized as international best practice,” he says

“I would urge Coles and Woolworths to reach out beyond environmental groups and engage in discussions with Australia’s various fisheries management authorities about the status of local fish stocks and the fisheries management practices that underpin their sustainability.”

A lifetime of passionate and expert research by SARDI’s Keith “Doc” Jones will have lasting
benefits for both commercial and recreational fishing in South Australia.

Keith retired recently after 34 years of service which included periods with the former Department of Fisheries, SARDI Aquatic Sciences, PIRSA Fisheries and completing his public service career back with SARDI.

More recently Keith managed the huge task of compiling the 2007/08 South Australian Recreational Fishing Survey, which has provided valuable data to assist in the future management of recreational fishing in SA.

His long association with the Marine Scalefish fishery, contributing to the understanding and management of such iconic South Australian fish species as the King George whiting and snapper, and extensive research in other areas was recognised at his farewell held at SARDI’s West Beach facility.

Awarded a Research Fellow of SARDI Aquatic Sciences he will continue to participate in some research projects, allowing SARDI and PIRSA Fisheries to continue to tap into his encyclopaedic knowledge of the fishery.

A commercial Lakes and Coorong fisherman has been fined after pleading guilty in the Murray Bridge Magistrates Court for breaching the strict conditions on his fishing licence.

Timothy Richards, of Meningie, last week pleaded guilty to breaching a condition of his licence by allowing his vessel to be operated by an unregistered master.

Mr Richards was convicted and fined $5 800 including court costs, and forfeiture of 80 kg of Mullet as well as six fish bins, 11 buoys, four sand anchors and 12 mesh nets, seized as part of the initial investigation, was confirmed.

PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture Senior Fisheries Officer, Dave Grant, said that Mr Richards’ deckhand was observed by Fisheries Officers in May of last year operating nets in the Coorong while Mr Richards was not in attendance.

“This case came to light as a result of information received by Fisheries Officers from the public over a period of time,” Mr Grant said.

“It sends a strong message to all commercial and recreational fishers that the public are watching and people will not tolerate anyone who seeks to disregard the rules which are in place to ensure our fisheries remain sustainable.

“Commercial fishers have strict conditions placed on their licence. They are in place to ensure all licence holders are fishing sustainably and that we continue to have fish for the future.

“It’s important that all commercial fishers abide by these conditions as they play a vital part of the fisheries management process in terms of keeping tabs on fishing effort and the gear types used.”