Ken A

The mark to beat for (?)Wrasse is 36cm taken by Wrasseman.

Thanks Clutch & to Kikila ,eastcoastin & adamj72.

The mark to beat for Coral Trout is 110cm taken by Pekingduck on a live rainbow Runner. The 2nd mark to beat is 90cm (estimated), taken by eagle ray in 1770. Report here

The endangered eastern freshwater cod is the topic for the next NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) public seminar on Wednesday 29 March at 7 pm. The seminar will be held at NSW DPI’s Narrandera Fisheries Centre, John Lake Centre, Buckingbong Road, Narrandera. Guest speaker NSW DPI researcher from Grafton Aquaculture Centre Gavin Butler will give a detailed overview of research into the eastern freshwater cod, a close relative of the Murray cod. “The eastern freshwater cod (Maccullochella ikei), is one of the most threatened of Australia’s larger endemic freshwater fish species. “Once abundant in the Clarence and Richmond River systems of south-eastern Australia, numbers have declined during the past 100 years due to a number of anthropogenic and natural causes,” Mr Butler said. Wild eastern freshwater cod now occur in only one isolated sub-catchment of the Clarence River. Mr Butler said despite the vulnerable status of eastern freshwater cod a number of processes continued to threaten the species including a lack of biological information. He said to alleviate some of these knowledge gaps a research project was undertaken between 2003 and 2006 involving NSW DPI, Freshwater Recreational Fishing Trust, Rous Water and Southern Cross University. The initial objectives were to study the movement patterns of eastern freshwater cod at larval, juvenile, adult and historical levels. However, across three years the project expanded to include the diet, reproductive biology and age and growth of the species as well as the movement patterns. The presentation will include a brief history and ongoing threats to the eastern freshwater cod, a summary of the results of the current study and a more in depth overview of the radio tagging and reproductive behaviour sections of the research. “We will take a look at movement patterns and habitat preference determined during the 12 months of radio tracking as well as a brief video and the results of the reproductive data collected,” Mr Butler said. The presentation will conclude with a brief outline of the possible implications for future management of eastern freshwater cod. The John Lake Centre also includes an aquarium and poster display, which will be open for inspection before and after the seminar for anyone wishing to undertake a casual tour of the facilities. Light refreshments and a BBQ meal will be available after the seminar at a cost of $3 a person. NSW DPI staff will also be available if you wish to discuss any topics in greater detail. Due to limited seating arrangements, the maximum attendance at these seminars is 55 people, so if you are interested in attending, it is essential that you book ahead to avoid disappointment. Bookings can be made by calling the Narrandera Fisheries Centre on (02) 6959 9021 between 9 am and 4:30 pm Monday to Friday. If you intend to stay for the $3 BBQ meal please inform a staff member at the time of booking. The talk will take approximately one hour and evening will conclude at about 9 pm. If you have booked but cannot make the evening, for catering purposes it would be appreciated if you could please phone the Centre in advance to cancel your booking. MEDIA CONTACT: SARAH CHESTER ON (02) 6036 2110 OR 0417 207 669.

Five men have been arrested and charged with several abalone offences after being apprehended by DPI fisheries officers and police on Wednesday (15th March 06). It will be alleged that after conducting multiple dives at Black Head, Gerroa, which is closed to all abalone diving, the five were seen leaving the water and splitting into two groups. Fisheries officers and police apprehended both groups on Burke Parade in Gerroa a short time later, where it is alleged that they were found to be in possession of 101 live abalone, 53 of which were undersized. All five were taken to the Wollongong police station and charged. One diver was refused bail and remained in custody overnight. He faced the Wollongong court yesterday where he was released on conditional bail. He will appear before the Wollongong Court on May 2nd. The remaining four divers will appear in the Kiama Court on 19th April. All five will face three charges: * Possess undersized fish – maximum penalty $11,000 or 3 months imprisonment * Exceed possession limits (max penalty $11,000 or 3 months imprisonment) * Possess/take fish from a fishing closure (max penalty $22,000 or 6 imprisonment) NSW waters between Port Stephens and Wreck Bay (Jervis Bay) are closed to the taking of abalone by both commercial and recreational fishers. This closure is in place due to low stocks of abalone, and also the effects of a disease affecting abalone called Perkinsus. The recreational bag limit, in areas that are open to taking abalone, is two per person. Possession limits are in place to ensure a fair share of fisheries resources among the community, to encourage responsible fishing, reduce the chance of overfishing, and primarily to ensure that stocks remain at a suitable level for future harvest. The legal size limit for abalone is 11.5 cms. Size limits are placed on abalone to assist in conservation of their stocks. These limits are determined by fisheries researchers and allow abalone the opportunity to breed at least once before they are caught, ensuring that suitable stock levels remain for future use. Media contact: Kelly Stevens 8289-3949 or 0438-247-571

Two men from Batemans Bay and one from Bodalla will face court after they were apprehended by NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fisheries officers for alleged abalone related offences. Fisheries officers apprehended the men on 12 March when they were patrolling around the Aragunnu area of Mimosa National Park, between Tathra and Bermagui. NSW DPI Manager Special Operations (Fisheries) Tony Andrews said as a result of the patrol and with the assistance of the Eden Water Police and Bermagui Police a vehicle suspected of transporting large quantities of abalone from the Aragunna area was intercepted on the southern outskirts of Bermagui. A total of 230 abalone including 144 shucked and 86 live, of which only one was legal size, were seized. All live abalone were returned to the water. A quantity of dive gear was also seized. The men were charged with possessing more than the maximum quantity of fish, possessing prohibited size fish, and being in possession of shucked abalone in or on or adjacent to any waters. The maximum fine for possessing more than the maximum quantity of abalone and possessing prohibited size fish is $11 000 or three months imprisonment for each offence, and $5500 for being in possession of shucked abalone. NSW recreational divers are allowed to take and possess two abalone. The minimum size for abalone is 11.5 centimetres. Mr Andrews said that when fishing in NSW waters, fishers were required by law to carry a receipt showing the payment of the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee. 'This also applies when diving and gathering abalone. Licenced abalone divers in NSW work under a strict quota managed fishery,' he said. Any information relating to illegal diving or fishing activities should be reported immediately to the nearest NSW DPI Fisheries office. Media contact: Sarah Chester on 02 6036 2110 or 0417 207 669.

Following an increase in the number of people apprehended on fishing related offences at Wyangala Dam near Cowra in NSW the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) will increase patrols in the area. A 62-year-old man from Cowra and a 61-year-old man from Bigga are to face court following their apprehension by NSW DPI fisheries officers on 25 February in the Lachlan River Arm of Wyangala Dam. NSW DPI Manager of Fisheries Compliance Glenn Tritton said it was alleged that the two men were found in joint possession of a gill net measuring 23 metres in length and two silver perch illegally taken by a net. 'One of the men was also in possession of a number of illegal fishing lines with a total of 65 hooks,' he said. Both men were charged with possession of fishing gear on and adjacent to closed waters when use of that gear or taking of fish is prohibited. One of the offences carries a maximum fine of $22 000 and the second of $11 000 under the Fisheries Management Act. In a separate incident, acting on information received from a member of the public, Fisheries Officers seized another gill net from a 53-year-old Sydney man on 12 March in the Oakey Creek area of Wyangala Dam. Investigations are continuing and it is likely the man will be charged with possession of fishing gear adjacent to closed waters. Mr Tritton said gill nets had the potential to catch large numbers of fish indiscriminately. 'They pose serious threats to the sustainability of recreational fisheries in inland NSW. 'NSW DPI Fisheries stocks golden perch, silver perch, Murray cod and trout in Wyangala Dam. 'Local angling groups also stock golden perch and Murray cod from funds raised by them,' he said. Mr Tritton said an increased number of NSW DPI patrols of Wyangala Dam would mean that if anglers chose to fish illegally there was a good chance that they would be caught. Media contact: Sarah Chester on 02 6036 2110 or 0417 207 669.

The NSW Government has announced that dioxin levels in pelagic species of fish in Sydney Harbour appear to be well below the elevated levels found in bream and prawns. A small number of preliminary test samples indicate that species of fish like Yellowtail and Trumpeter Whiting have much lower levels of dioxin. Early results from tests on a range of species in Port Jackson, east of the Bridge, including Yellowtail, Sand Whiting, Kingfish, Luderick and Trumpeter Whiting have levels below the 6 picograms per gram recommended by our expert panel. For example, all Trumpeter Whiting caught at Rose Bay was below 4.4 pg/g, while all Yellowtail at Balmoral was below 1.97 pg/g. These are, however, early samples only – about 10% of the current testing program - but the signs are hopeful. The dioxin problem in the Harbour comes from sediment in areas like Homebush Bay, a legacy of 100 years of industrial pollution by companies like Union Carbide. As a result, the dioxin levels are high in travelling “bottom feeders” like Bream, prawns and squid. For comparison, bream caught at Balmoral in the December round of tests averaged 14.7 pg/g, bream caught at Clifton Gardens averaged 25.5 pg/g. Bream caught further west, at Homebush Bay (which has been closed to commercial fishing since 1989) had an average reading of 95.6. These readings are well above the panel recommendation of 6 pg/g – and that’s why the Government closed the Harbour to commercial fishing in January. It is important to note, however, that one of the species of trevally tested at Chowder Bay in the latest round of tests had a dioxin reading of 9.3 pg/g so there is a need for some caution. This is great news for recreational fishermen, unfortunately, however, it is the “bottom feeders” that make up the vast bulk of the commercial catch so it can make no difference to the ban on commercial fishing in the Harbour. The highest result in the latest round of tests to be over the acceptable dioxin level was squid – another “bottom-feeder” and another commercial catch. Commercial fishers have already been offered a $5 million buyout package for their industry – which had an annual value totalling just $217,000 a year. Fish caught in Sydney Harbour made up less than 2% of the Sydney Fish Market catch before the full ban was put in place on January 24. If, in future the Harbour is re-opened to commercial fishing these fishermen will get the first option. The latest results will be analysed by the expert panel – and more test results are expected in the coming weeks. The Government will review the dietary advice provided to recreational fishers once the final results are in. The State Government is currently conducting remediation works to clean up the former Union Carbide site at Homebush Bay. Sydney Harbour was closed to commercial prawn fishing on December 3 and commercial fishing on January 24 after expert tests revealed high levels of dioxin in bream and prawns. Areas of the Harbour west of the Bridge including Homebush Bay have been closed to commercial fishing for more than a decade.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) scientists are searching for potential carp breeding sites in inland NSW rivers in order to identify recruitment ‘hotspots’ for the fish that has become Australia’s number one inland freshwater pest, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said today. The Minister said recent good rain throughout inland NSW has led to reasonably high flows in many river systems – and these are a cue for initiating spawning in many fish including the noxious carp. 'DPI research has found carp do not reproduce throughout entire river systems and that the vast majority of carp breed at a relatively small number of locations,' the Minister said. 'Sampling for carp larvae was done at, and downstream of, potential carp breeding sites, soon after the high flows passed.' NSW DPI fisheries scientist, Dean Gilligan, said identification of these ‘hot spots’ provides important opportunities for carp control. Larval carp sampling to identify the most important ‘hotspots’ is being done across the entire Murray-Darling Basin by NSW DPI scientists working with their counterparts from Victoria, South Australia and Queensland. Dr Gilligan said these locations can then be targeted using a range of control options that are to be identified under a detailed Integrated Pest Management strategy. The strategy is to be developed by fisheries scientists working under the auspices of the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre. Dr Gilligan said carp are the most significant pest of freshwater river systems in Australia, impacting on native fish communities, recreational fisheries and riverine environments. 'They dominate many river systems, comprising an average of around 80% of the fish biomass in many areas,' Dr Gilligan said. Media contact: Joanne Finlay on 02 6391 3171 or 0428 491 813.

Magistrates in Wollongong and Nowra Courts have shown little tolerance for abalone offenders in recent weeks, sentencing one man to imprisonment and another to periodic detention for separate abalone offences. A 32 year old Barrack Heights man was found guilty in the Nowra court of three abalone offences. The court heard that in December 2003 at Black Head, Gerroa, he was found to be in joint possession of 57 abalone, 51 of which were undersized. He was sentenced to one month imprisonment for each charge, with the sentences to be served concurrently. In a separate incident, a 31 year old Albion Park Rail man, appeared in the Wollongong court charged with three abalone offences. The court heard that in December 2005 the 31 year old was found, along with another man, in possession of 124 abalone at Walkers Beach, Gerringong. 48 of the seized abalone were undersized. At the time of the offences he was on a good behaviour bond and the judge sentenced him to three months periodic detention. Both men were found guilty of the following offences: * Possess undersized fish * Exceed possession limits * Posses/take fish from a fishing closure The illegal harvesting took place at Gerringong and Gerroa where abalone fishing is prohibited. NSW waters between Port Stephens and Wreck Bay (Jervis Bay) are closed to the taking of abalone by both commercial and recreational fishers. This closure is in place due to low stocks of abalone, and also the effects of Perkinsus which is a disease affecting abalone. The recreational bag limit, in areas open to the taking of abalone in NSW, is two per person per day. Size limits are placed on abalone to assist in the conservation of their stocks. These limits are determined by fisheries researchers and allow them the opportunity to breed at least once before they are caught, ensuring that suitable stock levels remain for future use. (Good to see a prison cell finally used! Well done to the magistrates involved - Ken A)

to the site mate. That's a nice fish & worth entering in the fish of the month thread in "Fishing Chat" section.

Two Marrickville men will face court this month over eight illegal fishing charges after being caught with illegal fishing nets on Lake Illawarra on Sunday 26 February, Manager DPI Fisheries Special Operations, Tony Andrews, said today. Mr Andrews said DPI Fisheries Officers apprehended the 48- and 46-year-old in their vehicle after watching them for a number of hours on Lake Illawarra. 'DPI Fisheries Officers searched their vehicle and found eight monofilament meshing nets, measuring more than 1 km in length. They also found almost 300 fish and crabs, with over half being of prohibited size. Some of the crabs were found to be carrying eggs and must therefore be returned to the water. 'Monofilament nets have been banned in all NSW waters for many years. This material is extremely durable and doesn’t deteriorate when left in the water. 'If such a net is lost, the presence of dead fish in the net attracts other fish that subsequently become entangled and die. 'Nets of this type have the potential to impact heavily upon fish stocks in Lake Illawarra. The potential of these nets to take large numbers of fish before they reach a size and age that has allowed them to reproduce is quite significant.' With the help of Port Kembla Water Police, DPI Fisheries Officers seized the illegal nets, a Toyota Tarago, the catch - mainly sand whiting, tarwhine, blue swimmer crabs, flathead and bream - and all storage containers. 'This case should be a warning to anyone breaking fishing rules that NSW DPI Fisheries staff are constantly on the lookout for illegal fishing activity and will continue to investigate and charge those who break the rules,' said Mr Andrews. The charges the two men face carry the following penalties: * Possession of undersized fish - max. penalty $11 000 or 3 month’s prison * Exceeding possession limits - max. penalty $11 000 or 3 month’s prison * Possessing fish illegally taken - max. penalty $11 000 or 3 month’s prison * Possessing crabs carrying eggs - max. penalty $5500 * Possessing illegal fishing gear (3 counts each) - max. penalty $22 000 or 6 month’s prison * Taking fish for sale when unlicensed - max. penalty $110 000 Media contact: Kristina Resanceff on 02 8289 3926 or 0419 185 375.

Seeing fish of the month is just kicking off we will bend the rules this time & allow fish taken after the 24th of February to be entered Whack it in there Matthead it's too nice a fish to miss out especially when it was released

The Department of Primary Industries is looking for new Fishcare volunteers on the North Coast. 'We have a strong band of approximately 332 people throughout the state who have joined the program in the past five years,' said DPI Fisheries Northern Region education officer Mark Asquith. 'Now we are inviting more interested people living on the north coast based in the Forster-Tuncurry, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Grafton-Maclean-Yamba and Tweed Heads areas to nominate for the program.' The program is funded by the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust. Volunteers assist the NSW DPI in educating the public on recreational fishing regulations and sustainable fishing practices. 'Due to overwhelming interest, recruitment of volunteers for the program is limited and only undertaken during set periods and for established group locations,' Mr Asquith said. 'The program has proven to be extremely popular with the fishing community who benefit enormously from the service, and the program’s working volunteers who find the program very rewarding. 'It is all about education. Fishcare conducts a variety of activities from research projects that survey the fishing community and the quality of their fishing, to advisory activities assisting fishers to know about the bag and size limits of fish and sustainable fishing practices. 'We hold outreach events and the ever-popular fishing workshops.' Fishcare volunteers are community members, often fishers themselves engaged in educating and advising fishers. They have no enforcement powers and do not get involved in compliance operations. 'They are well trained and dedicated volunteers who are prepared to share their knowledge, experience and time with the recreational fishing community,' Mr Asquith said. 'The Fishcare volunteer program is also an opportunity for fishers to ‘put something back’. 'We are interested in receiving nominations from people in the community over 18 who can commit a minimum of eight hours a month to the program, and who wish to promote and be involved in fostering sustainable recreational fishing to the community.' Information on the Fishcare Volunteer Program and nomination forms can be obtained by visiting the NSW Department of Primary Industries website, or by phoning Mark Asquith on 02 66520918. Media contact: Howard Spencer on 02 6656 8800 or 0428 696 672.

When you confirm a date let me know & I'll put it on the calender so everyone can see it.

Mine used to move a small amount either way with my foot off the pedal. It didn't go around to full lock either way though.

Here we go with the start of the " Fish of the Month". The comp is open to any legal size fish taken by any legal method as of today. Please post your pictures here & at the end of the month the winner will be decided by a member vote. Good luck.

Three fish retailers have been fined a total of $16 000 for misleading consumers by passing off cheaper fish, prawns and scallops as more expensive seafood. Food Authority inspectors uncovered the scams, which involved incorrect and deceptive labelling of prawns, fish and scallops (including king prawns, barramundi and Tasmanian scallops) as part of an on-going campaign. The fines send a clear message that misleading consumers through fish substitution and bogus labelling would not be tolerated. Customers have a right to know exactly what they’re buying and we will continue to crack down on any type of scam that misleads people. On-going surveillance shows most of the industry is doing the right thing, but anyone who thinks they can get away with misleading consumers should think again. In one case, Food Authority inspectors found cheap imported Vietnamese catfish (basa) being passed off as more expensive barramundi fillets in 'Costi Bros Seafoods' store at Roseland Shopping Centre. Further tests by the Food Authority also showed that 'deep sea cod' fillets were shark while local 'king prawns' were vannamei prawns from Thailand. In fining the proprietor $6000 and ordering he pay $3700 costs, Chief Industrial Magistrate Hart said the charges were 'serious' and that consumers had a right to know what they were buying. In a separate unrelated case, 'The Seafood Factory Pty Ltd' at Weston near Newcastle, was fined $6500 and ordered to pay costs totalling $3200 after it repeatedly ignored Food Authority warnings to correctly label imported vannamei prawns, which were being sold as king prawns. In a third case, Penrith Seafoods (Carlingford) Pty Ltd was fined $3375 after Food Authority officers found Asian scallops being sold as more expensive Tasmanian scallops. Anyone with information about alleged food substitution should call the Food Authority’s hotline on 1300 552 406. The crack-down on seafood scams mirrors recent campaigns the Food Authority has conducted on Country of Origin labelling and meat substitution.

Sydney Harbour commercial fishermen who accept the State Government’s buy-out package will receive an immediate emergency payment of $10,000. The decision to provide the immediate payment was made after a recent meeting with commercial fishing representatives. As a result of discussions with commercial fishers, an upfront payment of $10,000 will be provided to those commercial fishers who accept a buy-back offer. This advance payment will give affected fishers much-needed financial relief – they have been doing it tough through no fault of their own. This is the legacy of 100 years of industrial pollution in our beautiful harbour by multi-nationals like Union Carbide. The buy-back contracts will go out to individual commercial fishers from Tuesday. The Department of Primary Industries will provide the $10,000 advance payments once fishers return a signed deed of agreement. The remaining buy-back payments will be made once fishers submit all of their fishing documents. As indicated previously, the State Government will review the status of the commercial closure in Port Jackson, as further scientific evidence is available. If, in the future commercial fishing can be re-opened in parts of Port Jackson, then the State Government will give those fishers who took the buy-back priority status for potentially re-entering the Harbour. The State Government will continue to consult with commercial fishers throughout the buy-back process. The Department of Primary Industries will also double the maximum payment for accelerated depreciation of commercial equipment from $10,000 to $20,000, in a further effort to help the fishermen. Sydney Harbour was closed to commercial prawning on December 3 last year and to commercial fin fishing on January 24. The closures came after scientific tests revealed high levels of dioxin in species caught across the Harbour due to contaminated sediments in areas like Homebush Bay (which has been closed to commercial fishing for more than a decade). The State Government announced a buy-back package of up to $5 million earlier this month, payouts will be based on a fishermen’s personal catch history.

The mark to beat for Golden Perch is 56cm taken on a yabbie by teasto

I don't mind really but I wouldn't like to see pictures being dragged out of the old shoe box in the garage. It's just a fun thing not a serious comp.

Starting off on the 1st of March we will be running "fish of the month" photo comp. It's just a way of showing off some of the members catches & the winning entry will be judged by the members via a poll. Any legal sized fish taken by any legal means is elligible for entry. There will be a post made & pinned to the top of this forum to post your entry pictures. At the end of the month I will set up a poll & the members can choose the fish of the month. Each monthly winner will be posted in the brag board section.

to all new members

Last fish I cooked that was milky turned into mush.

High water temps can cause problems like that.