PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture would like to wish all our regular FishFacts readers a very Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year.

If you’re planning on fishing over the holidays be sure to arm yourself with an up-to-date copy of the SA Recreational Fishing Guide, available at most tackle shops or on the PIRSA website www.pir.sa.gov.au/fisheries

If you haven’t already done so, remember to put the SMSFish number 0427 767 995 into your mobile.

SMSFish allows anglers to simply text the name of a particular fish species and receive an immediate response detailing the size, bag and boat limit that applies to that particular fish as well as any closed season information. 

With Christmas just days away, PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture has issued a reminder to local families and businesses to ensure that any seafood purchased comes from authorized fish processors.

Christmas is traditionally a busy time of the year for the seafood industry with families stocking their fridges and freezers with marine species such as rock lobster and abalone.

Manager Regional Operations, Peter Dietman, said it was vital that the public ensure any local seafood they purchase comes from a legitimate operator.

“It is an offence to buy fish that has been obtained illegally, or to sell fish without the necessary fish processor registration,” he said.

“By ensuring that any fish purchased comes from a legitimate source, we can eliminate those members of the public unlawfully profiting from the sale of fresh seafood. “

“It’s important that recreational fishers therefore understand that it is illegal for them to buy, sell or trade any of their catch.”

PIRSA has reminded all South Australians of the dangers and illegality of translocating noxious and exotic fish species.

In recent months PIRSA has received numerous reports of exotic species, in particular marron, being translocated to private waterways around the state.

It is therefore important that people were aware of the dangers noxious and exotic species present to our local marine ecosystems.

Noxious and exotic species out compete native species for resources (food and habitat), can degrade water quality through disturbing or damaging the bottom of streams and in some cases directly prey on native species of fish, plants and invertebrates.

It is illegal to release exotic species into any body of water, including private waterways, and anyone found doing so faces considerable fines.

There is a common misunderstanding that the Fisheries Management Act 2007 does not apply to waterways on private land. This is true for many objects of the Act, however; it is not true for regulations relating to noxious or exotic species.

Under state legislation, it is illegal to have possession or control of aquatic resources of a noxious species without the appropriate authorisation. It is also illegal to release or permit the escape of an exotic fish. These requirements apply to any waters, including private dams.

Anybody aware of exotic or noxious species being placed in any of South Australia’s waterways, private or not, are encouraged to report it immediately via the Fishwatch hotline 1800 065 622.

A full list of exotic and noxious species is available on the PIRSA website.

PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture is reminding the State’s recreational fishers that Murray Cod will be available as a catch and release fishery from New Year’s Day until 31 July 2011.

Fisheries Minister Michael O’Brien made the catch and release announcement in October following an extensive community consultation process.

PIRSA’s Inland Fisheries Management Officer, Jonathan McPhail, says Murray Cod is an extremely important species to recreational fishers and the River Murray community in general.

“While we have opened Murray Cod as a catch and release fishery, there are still some very important rules and regulations that recreational fishers need to be aware of,” he said.

“These are strictly catch and release arrangements.

“Under no circumstances are you allowed to lift any size Murray Cod out of the water. Anyone found lifting or keeping Murray Cod will face considerable fines.

“An annual seasonal closure will remain in place during the peak spawning season between 1 August and 31 December.

“Fishers are not permitted to target Murray Cod during this period, and a ban has been placed on trolling from a moving vessel for all freshwater fish species within these dates. 

Mr McPhail said that trolling means using a baited fishing line or lure that is trailed through the water from a moving vessel. Fishers will still be allowed to fish with a lure from the bank or an anchored boat.

“A complete closure to Murray Cod fishing will be in place in the Chowilla region of the River as the area is vitally important to stock as a natural breeding area.”

Mr McPhail said it was vital people were aware that Murray Cod is a vulnerable species and must be handled with extreme care.

The recommended handling technique for Murray cod is:
• Avoid using light lines and playing fish to exhaustion
• Use barbless hooks or barbless trebles on lures
• Use a knotless landing net to support the fish in the water
• Don’t remove any Murray Cod from the water
• Use a hookout and long nose pliers to remove hooks
• Cut the line outside the mouth for deep hooked fish and don’t try to remove the hook
• If using a fish grip, don’t hold the fish vertically

With the holiday season just weeks away, PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture say two recent court outcomes on the Limestone Coast send a strong message about the need to obey Fisheries legislation.

In the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court last week, commercial Rocklobster fisherman John Howard, of Port MacDonnell, was convicted and fined $23 000 after pleading guilty to two charges of taking undersize Rocklobster.

As well as the fines, Mr Howard was ordered to pay court costs, had a conviction recorded and has been disqualified from undertaking any form of Rocklobster fishing for a period of six weeks.

The case stems from two incidents in 2009 when Fisheries officers found Mr Howard to be in possession of undersize Rocklobster.

In handing down the decision, the Magistrate said that as a commercial fisherman, Mr Howard either knew the Rocklobster were undersize or was negligent.

Also in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court last week, recreational fisher Geoffrey Johnson, was found guilty of selling Rocklobster caught recreationally.

Mr Johnson was fined a total of $8 000 and was disqualified from holding or obtaining a recreational Rocklobster registration or engaging in any other fishing activity in South Australia, either directly or indirectly, for the next five years.

Regional Manager Limestone Coast with PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mel Snart, said that these cases set a strong deterrent for other would-be fishing offenders.

“In the case of Mr Howard, a commercial fisherman of his experience should act more professionally in accurately measuring all Rocklobster caught and returning any undersize fish to the water immediately,” she said.

“The taking of undersized Rocklobster will not be tolerated and fishers need to be responsible in ensuring they are working within the rules.

“These undersized Rocklobster are integral to future stocks and therefore must be protected to ensure the fishery remains sustainable.

“In Mr Johnson’s case, he deliberately tried to sell and profit from what is a community owned resource. Recreational fishers must be aware that this type of offence risks not only the sustainability of the fishery; it also jeopardises the livelihoods of licensed commercial fishers and the local community.  

The 2011 Tide Tables book has information on South Australian tides, boat ramps and volunteer marine radio stations.

You can purchase a copy from most newsagents, fish and tackle shops, boat dealers and from Service SA customer service centres for the recommended retail price of $7.00 (inc GST).

For information on boating and marine safety matters go to www.sa.gov.au/boatingmarine.