mrmoshe

Two Spanish fisherman have been fined for illegally fishing endangered Patagonian toothfish in Australian waters in the Southern Ocean last year. Alfonso Dacruz Amoedo and Enrique Dominguez had 143 tonnes of toothfish on their Cambodian flagged boat, the FV Taruman, when it was intercepted by Australian authorities near sub-antarctic Macquarie Island in September last year. The vessel was later escorted to Hobart. Documents later proved only that 3.9 tonnes of the fish were illegally caught in Australian waters within two or three days in June last year. The fish were caught with long lines and processed on board the vessel. In the District Court in Sydney today, Judge Stephen Norrish fined the two men $65,000 and $53,000 respectively, although the maximum penalties under the law were a fine of $1.375 million. The judge found that the men were not pirates because most of their catch had been caught legally and said they were industrious men of good character. It is believed they will soon be deported from Australia. Amoedo, the ship's fishing master, and Dominguez, the captain, are both residents of Uruguay. Patagonian toothfish is also known as Chilean sea bass. It was once shunned by many seafood lovers but it came into fashion in the mid-1990s. Nowadays it is one of the most expensive seafood items on the world market and conservationists fear overfishing means its numbers are on the verge of collapse.

Fish kisser hooks US US television has picked up another Australian outdoor adventurer's program. Rex Hunt's Fishing Adventures will debut on US television next month, and will run for six months until May 2007. Hunt's unorthodox approach to conservation has resulted in his program being successfully broadcast in 160 countries. His trademark move is to kiss every fish he catches, from 5cm bream to 1-1/2 metre barramundi. Despite his international popularity and success and 10 years of broadcasting, Hunt has never before broken into the highly competitive US market. The move will also provide a boost for Australian companies, who will be offered advertising space within the program to gain exposure in the US. "I'm delighted to have been accepted into the USA with my fishing program after its success in Australia and throughout the UK, Europe and Asia," said Hunt. "We intend to bring fun and family activities to the American market from Down Under, where we believe we have some of the best fishing in the world and the best conservative approach to fishing through catch, kiss and release." Hunt's fishing program will be broadcast on America's The Water Channel on the Time Warner networks from October 6.

Looks like you guys had some fun with the tailor. There's nothing like smashing them when they are on the boil like that. I remember my father and I at Mallacoota doing something similar year after year when the tailor would chase just about anything. They would even smash a bare hook with a piece of white rag tied to it. One day we got over 200 in 2 hours...they just kept coming...lots of fun. Congrats on a terrific day out...nice pics too. Pete.

Yeah, sorry, I didn't even look at the date on the photo. The size of that boltcutter just blew me away. Nice fish. Pete.

Yikes!!! That monster wouldn't just bite your tackle off...It would bite through your anchor chain as well. Definitely a contender for fish of the month. Any idea of length/weight? Congrats. Pete.

It looks like flatties aren't quite as affected by dioxin levels as bream and other species. I still would be very reluctant to eat any of them so near a drain that spills into that bay. Catch & release seems the safest bet. Here is a link to the Govt. study and the relevant bit concerning flatties. Pete. http://www.deh.gov.au/settlements/publicat...-6/aquatic.html The regional distributions of the results (TEQFISH) are presented in Figure 3.23. The levels of dioxin-like chemicals on a fresh mass basis were highest in a fish sample that was caught in the Port Jackson area with about 0.49 pg TEQFISH g-1 fm (0.85pg TEQHUMANS g-1 fm). The bream sample from Port Jackson showed relatively elevated levels of the PCB and the PCDF (i.e. about one order of magnitude higher level of PCDF and PCB than any other fish sample analysed in this study). Whiting and flathead samples obtained from the Port Jackson showed levels of PCDD/PCDF and PCB that were not elevated compared to other samples. This may be related to the mobility patterns and/or feeding habits of these fish.

Hi fellas, I found this on another site. It states the wreck is a large barge, sunk in the 1980's. I don't know if that's the wreck you are thinking of, but it probably is the one you mean. Here's what it says, including GPS marks: Hope this helps, Pete. To find the wreck, travel north 11.6 kilometres from Sydney Harbour till you are just past Long Reef but south of the normal shipwreck site. GPS marks of 33° 43' 40.6"S 151° 20' 58.8"E puts you on the wreck. The depth will be about 45 to 47 metres. The wreck is quite large, coming up to 41 metres.

Here are the pics of the other species in that story: http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/2006/09...8431681111.html Pete

Hmmm..we've got flying fish, swimming fish, jumping fish.. now walking fish.... If sharks learn how to drive boats...I'm handing my boat licence in!!!!! Pete.

BANGKOK: Scientists searching the ocean off the north-western coast of Indonesia's Papua province say they have discovered dozens of new species, including a shark that walks on its fins. The team from Conservation International warned that the area - known as Bird's Head Seascape - was in danger from fishermen who use dynamite and cyanide to net their catches and called on the Indonesian Government to do more to protect it. "It's one of the most stunningly beautiful landscapes and seascapes on the planet," said Mark Erdmann, a senior adviser to Conservation International who led two surveys to the area this year. Dr Erdmann, an American, and his team claim to have discovered 52 new species, including 24 new types of fish, 20 kinds of coral and eight species of shrimp. Among the highlights were an epaulette shark that walks on its fins, a praying mantis-like shrimp and scores of reef-building corals, he said. Conservation International said papers on two of the new fish species, called flasher wrasse because of the bright colours the male exhibits during mating, have been accepted for publication in Aqua Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology. Carden Wallace, a coral expert at the Museum of Tropical Queensland in Townsville, said she was not surprised by the findings "mostly because it is a remote location and hasn't been visited by scientists very much". "This will give us a better understanding of where all this diversity originates from and how vulnerable it may be," she said. Dubbed the Coral Triangle, it is home to 1200 species of fish and 600 species of coral.

Be careful wading in the lake at the moment..You may be best to wear a pair of shoes. This is on the front page of today's Manly Daily: Pete. _______________________________________ Tide of syringes Julian Leembruggen 19Sep06 TEN year-old Benjamin Crombie has complained of a sharp %%%%% to his foot and will be sent for tests after playing near a spot where at least three hypodermic needles have been discovered. His parents, North Narrabeen couple Leonie and Peter Crombie said the needles washed up on their lakeside property along with other dangerous material including broken bottles after last week's heavy rain. However, despite repeated complaints neither Pittwater nor Warringah councils have done anything to clean up the potentially disease-carrying needles found by the shore of the lake. Mrs Crombie said it was common for rubbish including needles and condoms to wash up on their property next to Pittwater Council's Bilarong Reserve. She said repeated calls and e-mails to both councils requesting help in the removal of the rubbish were met with buck-passing. ``When we called Pittwater Council we were always told it was Warringah, then every time we have told Warringah we have been told it's Pittwater's responsibility,'' she said. ``Whose responsibility is it? It's either going to sit here and wait for children to be injured, or it's going to wash back into the lake. ``Kids are walking, fishing and playing around here all the time.'' Following inquiries by the Daily Pittwater Council urban and environmental assets director Chris Hunt said a cleaning team would be sent to clear the rubbish. Mr Hunt said rubbish which swept on to private property was usually the responsibility of land owners but that the Crombies' property was accessible via public land. Warringah Council environmental services director Dennis Corbett said both councils met to discuss such issues regularly. Ben Crombie, 10, now awaits tests after stepping on a needle washed up in his backyard. Picture: SIMON DEAN

Just found some more info on smoked marlin in Mauritius with a pic. of how it looks smoked: http://www.forbes.com/foodwithwine/2004/11...v_1103food.html And here's a bunch of different recipes for marlin: http://fooddownunder.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=marlin Pete.

Cold smoked and mouth watering. Give it a shot...I think you'll like it. It wasn't flavoured by smoke (like the various flavoured smoking chips you can buy) but had a distinct seafood flavour still. if you do smoke some...please report back here on the result...I'd be interested in how it turns out. Pete.

Has anyone ever tried smoked marlin? I became almost addicted to it at a resort in Mauritius a few years ago and pigged out on it. I don't know how they smoked it but it was absolutely fantastic! It becomes almost mother of pearl in colour when smoked and sliced thin is delicious. Could do with another feed of it right now just thinking about it. Pete.

Terribly saddening news. Two people are dead and five others are missing after two speed boats collided in Sydney's south. Emergency services arrived near the scene of the crash - near Kangaroo Point on the Georges River - about 7pm (AEST) today, ABC television reports. An NRMA Careflight spokeswoman said: "We believe there are nine to 12 people involved in the accident, possibly with five still missing in the water." Careflight paramedics report one person dead, while ambulance officers are telling them two people had been killed, the spokeswoman said. One person has been plucked from the water in a critical condition and airlifted to a rescue staging post at Sylvania Marina before being taken by road ambulance to Sutherland Hospital. "They could still be searching for up to five people who are missing," the spokeswoman said UPDATE @ 8.38pm: One death confirmed after boats crash ONE person is confirmed dead and another is missing feared drowned after two power boats collided in Sydney's south. However, information is still confused, and it is possible that up to five people are yet to be found. The boats collided about 6pm (AEST), near Kangaroo Point, on the Georges River at Sylvania, a NSW Waterways Authority spokesman said. "A number of people ended up in the water. One person is dead. One person is missing presumed drowned. Several others have been recovered," the spokesman said. Early reports said two people were killed in the collision between two speedboats, and six others involved had been found suffering minor injuries. However, an NRMA Careflight spokeswoman said: "We believe there are nine to 12 people involved in the accident, possibly with five still missing in the water." Careflight paramedics had reported one person dead, while ambulance officers had told them two people had been killed, the spokeswoman said. One person was plucked from the water in a critical condition and airlifted to a rescue staging post at Sylvania Marina before being taken by road ambulance to Sutherland Hospital. "They could still be searching for up to five people who are missing," the spokeswoman said.

Happy Birthday Flattieman. Hope you had a good one and threw a line in somewhere. Pete.

Just went down to the lake for a look and Boy!...it's the lowest water level I've ever seen in the lake. There are sand banks out of the water all over the lake and the smell is something else!! Lots of exposed weed beds really getting on the nose in this warm weather. The entrance is still very shallow with the occasional wave breaking over the sand bank heading to high tide. The sand bank opposite the caravan park is now fully exposed and you can walk right out to the channel without getting your feet wet. I fished the lake Wednesday arvo for a nice flattie but nothing else. Tried the Ocean St bridge area near the entrance for a donut. Nailed the flattie at Wimbledon Ave. The North Narra beach looked nice so might go down for a session in the newly formed gutters by the pines. Pete,

Check your PM Pete

With the lake open, I went down this arvo to the Ocean St bridge and fished for an hour in the pouring rain ( I must be crazy) and managed a thumper bream at 29cm on my first cast The constant rain and wind finally got the better of me so I packed it in after an hour and me soaked to the skin. The lake is flowing nicely out to sea even though the entrance is very shallow. There was just so much water in the lake and hopefully it will gouge a channel at the entrance. I'll give it another shot tomorrow seeing the rain has finally called it a day. The water in the lake is the nicest I've seen in a long time so hopefully the fishing will be just as good now. Pete.

Narrabeen floods as lagoon bursts John Morcombe 12Sep06 NARRABEEN Lagoon broke its southern bank on Sunday, flooding Mactier St and The Esplanade. State Emergency Service volunteers directed traffic around the worst-affected parts of the roads for about three hours, diverting traffic to the shallower side of the road while holding up oncoming traffic. Warringah Pittwater SES duty officer Wayne Lyne said the water on the lake side of the road was about 35cm deep. ``The surprising thing was that of all the cars that went through the water, not one stopped to dry their brakes before diving on,'' he said. A Warringah Council spokeswoman said the council tried to open the lagoon on Saturday afternoon but were frustrated in their attempts by the strong southerly swell, high tide and the amount of sand at the entrance of the lagoon. ``For a mechanical opening to work, the water level in the lagoon needs to be higher than the open sea,'' she said. ``This is normally achieved by opening the lagoon on a falling tide. ``The break-out was achieved on Sunday morning and the lagoon slowly started to go down. ``Attempting to open the lagoon earlier would not have been successful, due to the lagoon water level not being high enough, and to the large ocean swell and the large amount of sand in the entrance area.'' Mr Lyne said the Warrringah Pittwater SES had done 98 jobs since Thursday morning clearing storm damage, mainly trees and branches that had fallen on roofs and cars. ``We were going from 6am on Thursday to midnight,'' he said. ``That's 18 hours straight with four crews. ``I couldn't say yet how many man-hours we've put in over the past few days but it's been a lot. ``Thankfully the Rural Fire Service did a couple of jobs for us, and the Manly SES.'' Warringah Council plans to remove 50,000cu m of sand from the entrance to the lagoon, which will make mechanical openings of the lagoon easier, the spokeswoman said.

Yes Flattie.an odd piece of journalism there for sure. If it's true though...that's one MASSIVE marlin. Pete.

I've been reading some info on various websites and came across this gem. It's about an epic battle in the 80's with a giant black marlin off the Great Barrier Reef. Here's the article and the bit that intrigued me below: Is this a fishy tale??? Either way...an interesting read. Pete. ______________________________________ http://www.thelog.com/news/newsview.asp?c=194109 Breaking Point In 1984, La Jolla resident Mike Rivkin was fishing black marlin off Australia's Great Barrier Reef with legendary Capt. Peter Bristow. Late on the ninth day of a 10-day trip, they had a double hook-up. Riukin grabbed the portside rod. Both fish jumped, and the starboard fish popped off. For the next three hours, Riukin made no progress on the fish. Bristow became concerned that it would become too dark to navigate the maze of coral heads to get inside the reef for the night. Bristow told Riukin to either button down the drag on the 12/0 Fin Nor reel or let the fish loose. Riukin buttoned down, but it made little difference. Suddenly the fish sounded. Riukin watched 130-lb. test line disappear off the reel. The captain reiterated his concern and instructed Riukin to button down the drag again. By now, Riukin was straining with every muscle of his arms, legs and back. More than 750 yards of line was out when Riukin noticed the splice. Line of a different color began passing through the rod's eyelets. Soon, less than 30 yards was left on the 800-yard spool. Riukin tightened the drag until he was literally standing in the chair, straining with every muscle he had. With only 20 yards left, the marlin stopped and went into its death throes. It became a test to see whether the winching power of the reel could overcome the dead weight of the fish. With the captain nervously watching the setting sun, Riukin cranked the handle one half turn at a time. Right at sunset the massive fish popped up to the surface, stone-cold dead. It took everyone aboard to wrestle the leviathan into the 44-footer's cockpit. With the fish hanging out the transom door, Bristow navigated the coral reef maze and anchored. The next morning, they hightailed it into Cairns and winched it up onto the scale. The fish weighed 1,226 lbs.! Curious, Bristow measured the Fin Nor's drag pressure. It had been buttoned down to 95 lbs. The captain checked his records and discovered the line at the bottom of the spool beneath that splice was no less than 15 years old. Bristow then tested the old line on a scale. It consistently broke at 95 pounds! In the sport of recreational angling, heroic battles such as these occur on just about any given weekend. Anglers win some fights and fish win others. But one fear anglers should never experience is the worry that their stories will be relegated to the slush pile of "The One That Got Away."

Never seen any squid in the lake but the usual suspects are there like bream, flatties, whiting (usually summer) flounder, tailor and lots of mullet. The odd jewie in there but you'll probably need a boat for those. It's easy to walk around the lake as it has a nice footpath around the eastern shoreline. You can pick just about any spot for a flick and move on if it's not productive. It's a nice place just to stroll around but watch for the ever present ducks and pelicans as they will pester you especially if you have bait. The pelicans will dog you and try and snatch your catch when you reel 'em in so be careful...they are fast. You can cut the plastics in half if you wish..depends on what is biting at the time and tailor you baits to that species. You should get a feed if you spend a couple of hours at different spots Good fishing, Pete.

Fletcher...as I posted a couple of days ago.(perhaps you missed it) .try the end of Robertson St for some breambos and the odd flattie or two. That spot always seems to hold them...try burlying first to get 'em on the go. It's land based so no wading needed there.Also the earlier post about Wimbledon Ave is good advice. If you want to try bait if the plastics fail...there's a bait shop right opposite Robertson St on Pittwater Rd and you can buy just enough for a session without having to take the rest home and stink the house up. Good luck where ever you choose. Pete.

A diverse (and sexy)bunch of news items this week Flattie. Keep 'em coming!! Pete