FishFacts Issue 11, July 2007


Issue 11, July 2007
PIRSA logo. (Links to PIRSA website)
Articles
Fishers to record catch in Statewide survey Rock lobster fisher pleads guilty
Beach fishing PIRSA web site gets facelift
Hotline tip-off catches illegal fishers SARFAC awards closing soon
Keep an eye on the yellow-eye Seafood Industry coup for SA

Fishers to record catch in Statewide survey

PIRSA Fisheries is preparing to undertake the largest survey ever of recreational fishers in South Australia.

The survey, commencing on 1 August 2007, will provide PIRSA Fisheries with a better understanding of changes in fish populations and recreational fishing practices in South Australia.

The survey will collect up to date information on catches, fishing activity, and catch rates for key managed species throughout metropolitan and regional SA by both boating and shore based fishers. It will be based largely on the methodology established in the 2000-01 National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey.

The survey will be conducted over an 18 month period, using a number of different sample methods. These include phone interviews of 7,500 randomly selected households, and fishing diaries issued to more than 1,000 of these households, together with onsite interviews conducted along the State’s waterways at boat ramps, jetties and key shore-based fishing locations.

To supplement the data from these interviews, PIRSA Fisheries is seeking the voluntary assistance of recreational boat fishers who are prepared to measure the fish they catch in marine waters and the River Murray. Interested fishers should e-mail their contact details to pirsa.fishingsurvey@saugov.sa.gov.au.

For more information about the Recreational Fishing Survey or to register your interest in being involved, go to the PIRSA Recreational Fishing Survey website.
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Beach fishing

The most important thing when beach fishing for salmon or other predatory fish is to find the best fishing spot. This can be done by learning to “read” the beach.

Get as high as you can so you can overlook the beach. From this position, choose a patch of deep (dark coloured) water within easy casting distance of the shore. This is where the big fish will be lurking, waiting for their next feed.
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Hotline tip-off catches illegal fishers

A tip-off from a member of the public to the Fishwatch hotline (1800 065 522) has resulted in two people being caught allegedly taking cuttlefish inside a prohibited area near Whyalla.

In response to the call, SAPOL Officers, on behalf of PIRSA Fisheries, attended an area of coastline between the Point Bonython Jetty and Black Point.

Here, a male and a female were allegedly found to be fishing for cuttlefish inside the cuttlefish closed area. Fisheries Officers seized 442 cuttlefish weighing 235 kilograms, plus three squid and four snapper. The four snapper were found to be undersize. A prosecution brief is being prepared.

For more information about areas of the State that are closed to fishing, go to the closed areas section of the PIRSA Fisheries web site.
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Keep an eye on the yellow-eye

Don’t underestimate the eating qualities of the yellow-eye mullet. Often considered to be a fish for beginners, yellow-eye mullet are caught throughout South Australia and will readily take a bait of cockles, seaworms or mince meat mix. Use an 8 – 10 medium shank hook with burley spring and float.

The minimum legal size for mullet caught in South Australia is 21cm. The bag limit is 60 and the boat limit 180.
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Rock lobster fisher pleads guilty

A Mount Gambier man has pleaded guilty and been convicted of three fisheries related charges in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court recently.

Percy Gordon Plunkett, (60) of Mount Gambier pleaded guilty to being, on 17 November last year, in possession of 19 rock lobster. Of these 11 were undersized. He also pleaded guilty and was convicted of using abusive and insulting language to a Fisheries Officer.

As a result, he was given 240 hours community service and an additional penalty of $1,879.20. Forfeiture of the rock lobster was confirmed.

The Court case resulted from information provided to PIRSA Fisheries Officers by SAPOL Officers.

All fishers need to be aware that as with other law enforcement agencies the use of abusive and insulting language to Fisheries Officers is also an offence.
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PIRSA web site gets facelift

The PIRSA Fisheries web site has been given a facelift with the aim of providing all fishers with easier access to the latest fisheries information.

The web address (www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishing) remains unchanged. Check it out now by clicking here.
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SARFAC awards closing soon

Nominations for the annual South Australian Recreational Fisheries Advisory Council (SARFAC) awards close on 31 July. The winners will be announced on 10 September.

Application forms are available on the SARFAC web site.
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Seafood Industry coup for SA

The national headquarters of the new $137 million Australian Seafood Cooperative Research Centre is to be based in Adelaide. The Centre will be located at Science Park Adelaide, Bedford Park.

The new Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) will be the second largest in Australia and aims to double the value of the nation’s $2.1 billion seafood industry within 10 years.

The Adelaide location will reinforce this State as the most significant seafood industry and research base in the nation and will put us in the spotlight as a world leader in seafood industry development.

It is estimated that the CRC will deliver an additional $700 million into the state’s seafood industry over the next seven years and create up to 1,000 new jobs locally.

The CRC will support the Australian seafood industry in keeping up with the escalating demand for fish products through new methods of fish farming, value adding to wild catch fish, examining the scientific links between health and seafood, improving the quality of seafood products and responding to consumer demands.
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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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