The iconic Murray Cod will be available to recreational fishers as a catch and release fishery in 2011 and 2012 following an announcement by Fisheries Minister Michael O’Brien in November.

A popular target of anglers right along the Murray-Darling Basin, the Murray Cod fishery has been closed in South Australia since 2009.

Minister O’Brien said that following extensive community consultation, the State Government had listened to the community in deciding on the management arrangements for Murray Cod in 2011.

“The State Government acknowledges that the Murray Cod is an extremely important species to recreational fishers and the River Murray community in general,” he said.

“We have listened to recreational fishers and understand the social and economic impacts of management arrangements on the sector.

“Having recreational fishing access to Murray Cod provides important social and economical benefits for communities along the river, especially those communities already battling the effects of the drought.

“However people need to understand that these are strictly catch and release arrangements, anybody found keeping Murray Cod will face considerable fines.

“It’s vital people are aware that Murray Cod are a vulnerable species and must be handled with extreme care. Because of the species’ susceptibility to handling and landing, it will be illegal for anyone to remove Murray Cod from the water.

“PIRSA will be running an extensive public awareness campaign to educate South Australian anglers about safe handling techniques to ensure any Murray Cod caught survive to fight another day.”

Mr O’Brien said that a complete closure to Murray Cod fishing will still be in place in the Chowilla region due to the fact that the area is so important to stock as a natural breeding ground.

“It’s important that this area is protected so that Murray Cod can remain in the area and breed without the threat of capture,” he said.

“The annual seasonal closure will still be 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 within these dates.” 

Native fish issues was the focus right across the Murray Darling Basin when Native Fish Awareness Week was held from November 12 to 19.

Native Fish Awareness Week is an initiative of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s Native Fish Strategy, which estimates that 90% of native fish populations have been lost across the Basin since European settlement.

Activities were held in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria as well as South Australia.

Fisheries Manager, with PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture, Keith Rowling, said that a number of local community events were held during the week-long initiative giving South Australians an opportunity to find out more about the issues relating to native fish.

“We’ve had some great activities for the SA leg of events including the local launch of Native Fish Awareness week at Milang Primary School,” he said.

“This launch also coincided with the official opening of the new native turtle shed at the school’s Lakes and Coorong Discovery Centre.

“The key note event was the Native Fish Forum at SARDI Aquatic Sciences at West Beach on Wednesday 17 November. The forum brought together a range of expert presenters to discuss the latest research and issues relating to native fish in Australia.

“Recreational fishers also got together to talk about native fish issues at an information night at the Berri Resort Hotel.

“Along with this, the team made numerous school visits teaching South Australian students about things like fishways, carp cages, and the need to protect our native fish stocks for future generations.”
 

Fisheries presence on the Limestone Coast received a major boost in November with the official launch of the new Fisheries Patrol Vessel, the FPV Canunda.

Member of the Legislative Council, Mr Bernard Finnigan launched the new 8.5 metre Niaid inflatable vessel during an official naming ceremony at the Port MacDonnell jetty.

Regional Manager Limestone Coast, Mel Snart, said that the new boat will provide a significant boost to the compliance capabilities of Fisheries officers on the Limestone Coast.

“Its capabilities will allow Fisheries Officers to perform at-sea patrols in harsh conditions which they previously could not do, as well as improving their capabilities to board fishing vessels at sea safely and efficiently,” she said.

“It also features a commercial grade industrial pot tipper for checking rocklobster pots, which will be a great tool in managing the local rocklobster industry.

“With a maximum speed of 40 knots, it cruises comfortably on 25-28 knots. The vessel has a range of 200 nautical miles and the efficient design allows officers to tow the vessel with a large four wheel drive, providing a mobile asset for use all over the Limestone Coast.

FPV Canunda At a glance;
Home port : Port MacDonnell
Designer : Naiad Design, NZ
Length overall: 8.5m
Length waterline: 6.8m
Beam: 3m
Draught: 0.45m
Cruising speed: 25-28 knots
Maximum speed: 40 knots
Range: 200nm
Builder: Kirby Marine Fabrication, WA

A commercial fisherman from Ardrossan and a business couple from Coober Pedy have been reported for serious Great White Shark offences following a recent investigation by PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. It is expected that they will be summonsed to appear in Court at a later date.

It will be alleged that the three people were involved in the possession and sale of Great White Shark teeth and jaws.

PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture Manager Regional Operations, Peter Dietman, explained that Great White Sharks are a protected species both in SA and nationally and have been since 1 January, 1998.

“Our investigation team received information via the Fishwatch hotline concerning the alleged offering for sale of Great White Shark teeth and jaws,” he said.

“Acting on this information, our officers travelled to Coober Pedy where they seized one set of Great White Shark jaws and 22 teeth which had been capped in silver and had been made into necklaces for sale.

“It will be alleged that the commercial fisherman from Ardrossan supplied the jaws and teeth to the business for sale.

“It’s important to remind any retail outlets that it is an offence to sell, purchase, control or possess an aquatic resource of a protected species – such as Great White Sharks, and includes body parts, teeth and jaws.

“Unfortunately there is a misconception in some circles that any teeth or jaws from Great White Sharks caught prior to them being protected can still be sold.

“People must be aware that this is not the case, and any person who sells or offers to sell or purchase Great White Shark teeth or jaws may face prosecution.

A Warooka man will face court on fisheries related charges after he was allegedly found using illegally set long lines in the Gulf St Vincent last week.

The commercial fisherman had been under investigation by PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture for a period of time following a series of calls received via the Fishwatch Hotline.

Fisheries Officers intercepted the man near Ardrossan where it is alleged he had set five long lines using more than 150 hooks above the total permitted number of 400. Fisheries officers also allege that the fisher was not in attendance of any of the long lines at the time.

All fish caught on the long lines, predominantly snapper, were returned to the water alive.

PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture Regional Manager Central South, Randel Donovan, said that allegations of commercial long line fishers using excess hooks and not being in attendance of their long lines has been on ongoing issue in the Gulf St Vincent.

“These sorts of offences will be a focus of patrols by Fisheries Officers when the snapper season reopens at midday 30 November 2010,” he said.  

The Conservation Council of SA’s  (CCSA) citizen science program ‘Feral or In Peril’ encourages divers, fishers and boaters to report sightings of both introduced marine pests and native species of conservation concern.

Feral or In Peril is very much based on the principle that it is better and more cost effective to prevent damage than to repair it. It has been successful in reporting the first introduced marine pest found on Kangaroo Island, and our sightings data is passed on to relevant scientists and government agencies to help them make informed management decisions.

Through these activities the CCSA is developing a state wide early warning network capable of detecting introduced species before they establish, and keeping an eye on the spread of marine pests already established.

The native species of conservation concern are all species about which very little is known and scientists would like more information. Sightings data we encourage includes information about habitat, precise location, size, number, and, if relevant, male/female. All sightings are able to be reported online through our website: http://www.reefwatch.asn.au/fpreport.

The Feral or In Peril program has recently published a new 16-page booklet: “Boat Owners Guide to Caring for our Coastal Waters”. The booklet details practical ways to reduce your boat’s running costs while looking after our coastal waters. The guide is an extension the of long running program by providing further information around marine pest and threatened marine species awareness, especially with regard to boat maintenance and the identification and reporting of marine pests.

Reef Watch Project Officers are available to provide a short presentation about the Feril or In Peril Program and the new Boat Owners Guide to any interested groups. More information, copy of the booklet and bookings for talks can be made by contacting Carl Charter: ferilperil@conservationsa.org.au; (08) 8223 5155.