FishFacts Issue 2, July 2006


Issue 2 July 2006
PIRSA logo. (Links to PIRSA website)

www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishing


FISHFACTS
Welcome to the second edition of PIRSA Fisheries electronic newsletter, FishFacts. FishFacts is designed to keep you up to date with the latest fisheries news and issues in South Australia.

If you know someone who you think might enjoy receiving FishFacts, please forward this e-mail to them. To subscribe to FishFacts click on the subscribe button at the bottom of this newsletter or go to http:www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishfacts

Snapper Closure
A decision is expected soon on the future of the annual November snapper closure. First introduced in 2000, the closure aimed to bring about a reduction in catch to help maintain healthy snapper stocks.

The Marine Scalefish Fisheries Management Committee is currently considering scientific information provided by SARDI Aquatic Sciences on the effectiveness of the closure and will make a recommendation to Fisheries Minister Rory McEwen.

FishFacts will let you know when a decision has been made.

RL pot registrations
A reminder that all rock lobster pots must be registered with PIRSA Fisheries before they can be legally used in South Australia.

A maximum of two pots can be registered per person. For the 2006/07 season, fees are $52 for one pot or $145 for two.

New applications will open on 1 August 2006 and can be paid online (go to www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishing), through Australia Post, Bill Express and at selected PIRSA Offices including Adelaide, Birkenhead, Streaky Bay, Kadina, Loxton, Murray Bridge, Straun, Mt Gambier and Pt Lincoln. The Kingston Office will also be open for limited hours.

If you already have pots registered, you will receive a renewal notice in the mail in early August. You should allow 7 working days after payment to receive your valid registration details.

Crab closure metro coast
A temporary prohibition prohibiting commercial crab pot fishing along the Adelaide metropolitan coast has expired.

The SA Blue Crab Pot Fishers Association has now adopted a Code of Practice for the operation of commercial blue crab pots along the Adelaide metropolitan coast, which specifically deals with interactions with recreational fishers and marine safety for recreational boating craft. All members of the Association are aware of and have agreed to this Code.

Compliance round-up
  • A Renmark man was fined a total of $1,400 plus an additional penalty of $873 in the Berri Magistrates Court after Fisheries Officers searched his vehicle and uncovered 17 callop (the daily bag limit is five), five of which were undersize (minimum legal size 33cms).
  • Four men from Point Pearce were convicted on four abalone related offences conducted near Port Victoria, on Yorke Peninsula. As a result they were convicted and fined more than $26,000 each. The fine was subsequently converted to 320 hours community service each. A boat and trailer used in committing the offences were forfeited.
  • A commercial marine scalefish fisher from Arthurton, Yorke Peninsula, was convicted of taking fish during the snapper closed season. He was convicted and fined $500 plus an additional penalty of more than $5,800. All fish were forfeited.
  • A 58 year man from Port Lincoln was found guilty of taking a quantity of yellow-eye mullet using an illegal fish net. He was convicted and ordered to perform 24 hours community service plus an additional penalty of $105. The fish and net were forfeited.

New Fisheries Patrol Boats
Fisheries on-water enforcement capabilities have received a further boost with the arrival of a new fisheries patrol vessel to be based at Port Lincoln. The FPV Baudin, is a purpose-built, 7.5 metre, twin-hulled sailfish catamaran fitted with state-of-the-art electronics for navigation, plotting and radar.

Capabilities around the lower Yorke Peninsula will also be boosted when Yorketown Fisheries Officers also take delivery of a new vessel - a 6.5 m aluminium, centre cabin powered by a 225 hp outboard motor.

Both vessels will be used to check commercial and recreational fishers and to investigate any suspected breaches of fisheries legislation.

Extension to southern zone lobster season
After a successful trial, the southern zone rock lobster season will be permanently extended by one month for both recreational and commercial fishers.

From the 2006/07 season, the southern zone rock lobster season will start 1 October and close 31 May. The northern zone remains unchanged and is open from 1 November until 31 May.

Marine Planning Framework Released
The Marine Planning Framework for all state waters was released on the 13 July, heralding a new era in protection for South Australia’s marine environment and resources.

The framework provides for the development of six regional marine plans, the first being the draft Spencer Gulf Marine Plan. The Draft Spencer Gulf Marine Plan is out for public comment until October. For copies of the draft plan and submission forms visit: www.environment.sa.gov.au/coasts/planning.html

SARFAC Awards
The South Australian Recreational Fishing Advisory Council (SARFAC) has launched its inaugural Awards of Excellence.

To become an annual event, the awards will recognize excellence from individuals, clubs and other organisations for their endeavours to foster and improve the pursuit of recreational angling, arguably the largest participation sport / recreation in Australia.

Nomination forms and guidelines can be down loaded from the SARFAC website at www.sarfac.com, or alternatively ring SARFAC on 8132 0430. Winners will be announced in September.

Abalone virus
The Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI) continues to investigate an outbreak of a virus known as ganglioneuritis, which is causing mortality in abalone in some parts of Victoria.

In response to the virus outbreak, DPI has conducted monitoring and surveillance of wild abalone population at Port Fairy, Portland and Flinders.

PIRSA Fisheries continues to work closely with Victorian authorities to ensure the disease does not spread to South Australian waters.


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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