FishFacts Issue 1, June 2006


Issue 1, June 2006
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www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishing
Welcome to FishFacts
Welcome to PIRSA Fisheries new newsletter, FishFacts.

FishFacts is an electronic newsletter that will be e-mailed to you on a regular basis.

It is designed to keep you informed of the latest news and issues relating to fisheries management in South Australia.

If you know someone who you think might enjoy receiving FishFacts, please feel free to forward this e-mail to them. You can subscribe or unsubscribe at any time.

FishFacts can also be accessed from the PIRSA Fisheries web site www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishfacts.

Fishing Competition discussion paper now available for public comment
New regulations are being considered to cater for the growing popularity of fishing competitions in South Australia. A discussion paper developed by PIRSA Fisheries on the future management of recreational fishing competitions in South Australia has now been released for public comment.

The paper highlights several issues for consideration including a registration and/or permit system for fishing competitions with greater than 100 competitors and the requirement to register and/or apply for a competition permit.

Fishing competitions provide many social and economic opportunities, but they may also have localised impacts on fish resources.

Copies of the discussion paper are available on the PIRSA website http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishing or from PIRSA Fisheries, GPO Box 1625 Adelaide 5001. Closing date for comment is 5pm Friday, 14 July, 2006.

Recreational fishing grants for SA announced
Recreational fishing has received a major boost with the recent announcement of funding totalling $1.85 million for 59 projects across Australia under Round 2 of the Recreational Fishing Community Grants Program.

Successful projects in South Australia include

  • an upgrade of the Whyalla fishing jetty
  • a Recreational Fishing Education Program to be run by Ocean View College
  • Clean Marine (a KESAB educational program for boat ramps,jetties and recreational fishers)
  • boat wash-down facilities and pontoons in the State’s south-east, an upgrade including boat mooring pontoon and boardwalk at Lake Edward
  • an upgrade of facilities at Moores boat ramp (Streaky Bay) and
  • a recreational fishing clinic for the Indigenous children of Port Augusta.

Further information on how to apply for these grants is available at http://www.daff.gov.au/recfishinggrants or by e-mail to fishinggrants@daff.gov.au

Compliance round-up
  • A 22 year old from Strathalbyn and a 39 year old from Goolwa will face a number of abalone related charges following a covert operation by Fisheries Officers in the Port Elliot region. Officers seized 83 blacklip abalone (50% undersize) and a quantity of dive gear. The daily abalone bag limit for a recreational diver is five.

  • Two men have been arrested and will be charged, along with another two men, with a range of fisheries offences involving the taking of abalone at Cape Elizabeth, near Port Hughes on Yorke Peninsula.

    When the officers intercepted the vessel as it returned to shore, two of the occupants got out of the boat while the other two turned the boat around and left the scene. Fisheries Officers in an unmarked Fisheries vessel caught up with the boat and the men were directed to return to shore where they were both arrested.

    Officers seized 270 abalone weighing 58.5 kilograms and a commercial value of more than $3,300. 47% of the abalone was undersize.

New Fisheries Managment Bill on the way
In November 2005, a draft Fisheries Management Bill was released for public comment. Designed to replace the Fisheries Act 1982, the Bill has been developed following public consultation with fishery stakeholders. The period for public comment has now closed.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Rory McEwen, is currently analysing all of the submissions received and he will consider whether there should be any further changes to the draft Bill.

The Bill is scheduled to be tabled in the Spring session of Parliament this year.

Expansion of SARDI Aquatic Sciences research facility
Construction of a new $1.2 million experimental tank complex at the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) Aquatic Sciences, West Beach, is nearing completion. When completed, the facility will offer scientists a selection of 80 new tanks for marine and freshwater research.

The new experimental tank complex will allow marine scientists to reproduce experiments in a larger number of tank environments. This, together with the new systems improved reliability will enable more efficient research and provide more conclusive results.

In the first instance, the new facilities will be used to conduct research into the dietary and nutritional requirements of yellowtail kingfish with mulloway research to follow in the near future.

Country of origin seafood labels on display
Consumers can expect to see something new in their local fish shop - “country of origin” labels on all seafood displays. This follows the recent introduction of new national labelling laws.

The South Australian and Federal Governments have agreed that all unpackaged seafood products on display for sale in retail outlets should carry a sign advising the country of origin, even when that country is Australia. The new rules will be policed by each State health department.

For more details go to www.foodstandards.gov.au .

New Riverland home for mulloway
A new industry for the Riverland was recently launched with the release of 3,000 juvenile mulloway to be farmed at the new Waikerie Inland Saline Aquaculture Centre (WISAC).

The $900,000 pilot project will use saline groundwater from salt interception schemes along the River Murray to farm marine fish.

The SARDI initiative is jointly funded by the State and Australian Governments through the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality and the Centre for Natural Resource Management.

An additional 20,000 juvenile mulloway will be delivered to the centre within weeks with the first harvest of fish expected later in 2006.

The fish are expected to grow to market size almost twice as fast as they would in the wild, largely because the ground water temperature remains constant.

PIRSA Fisheries produces Fishfacts as an information service to commercial and recreational fishers. Information about regulations and other laws is provided as a summary only and does not replace the legislation. It is the responsibility of fishers to ensure that they are aware of the law and comply with it.
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