NEWSCAST - March 2024

[mrsswordfisherman]

NEWSCAST an information bulletin for recreational fishers   March 2024

Have your say on the 'no take' trial for Eastern Blue Groper  From 1 March 2024, fishing for Eastern Blue Groper (also known as blue, brown or red groper) by any method, including line fishing, is prohibited as part of a 12-month trial, to increase protection of this iconic species.    We would like to hear your feedback on making Eastern Blue Groper a ‘no take’ species in NSW, so please head to our website and complete the consultation form -https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/fishing-rules-and-regs/new-blue-groper-fishing-rule-changes/have-your-say-on-the-recent-eastern-blue-groper-rule-changes  While most fishers complied with the existing fishing rules for Eastern Blue Groper, prohibiting line fishing for a 12-month trial period means the same rules apply for all fishers.  Anyone caught contravening the closure and taking Eastern Blue Groper  in NSW by any method will face a $500 penalty infringement notice and/or a maximum court-imposed fines of $22,000 or imprisonment for 6 months (or both) for a first offence and $44,000 or imprisonment for 12 months (or both) for a second or subsequent offence.  The online feedback form is now open until 30 April 2024; however, NSW DPI Fisheries will continue consultation with stakeholders over the course of the 12 month trial.

FREE Woman's Fishing Sessions to celebrate International Women's Day! 🎣   The DPI Fisheries Fishcare team will hold dedicated ‘Fish for Life’ Women’s fishing sessions across NSW on International Woman's Day on the 8th and 9th March.   If you've ever wanted to wet a line and haven’t had the confidence to give it a go, then grab some friends and pop along to one of our sessions. Children are also welcome to attend these fishing sessions. We supply all the gear; you just need to turn up and have some FREE fishing fun! All participants will receive a free fishing shirt and fishing gear. So come on down!   To book a place go to the Eventbrite links in the comments, locations include:   🔹 Coffs Harbour – Fri 8 March from 10:30am;   🔹 Newcastle – Fri 8 March from 1pm;   🔹 Sydney – Fri 8 March and Sat 9 March from 10am;   🔹 Lake Keepit – Fri 8 March from 1pm;   🔹 Forbes – Fri 8 March from 11:30am.   More women's fishing days will be held during the autumn months later this year so stay tuned.   To Book Coffs Harbour please visit - https://bit.ly/3IllRgM     To Book Newcastle please visit - https://bit.ly/42U1Jfc   To Book Sydney please visit - https://bit.ly/3uNW7GY and https://bit.ly/3IjYJ2g  To Book Lake Keepit visit - https://bit.ly/3OZwIkC  To Book Forbes please visit - https://bit.ly/42Y06NB

Help protect NSW abalone stocks! Do not discard any seafood waste in waterways - throw all abalone shells, gut and any leftover abalone waste in the bin. Movement restrictions are in place on the transport of live abalone into and within NSW in response to detections of Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG) in South Australia. AVG is a viral disease which impacts Blacklip, Greenlip and hybrid abalone. This is the first detection of AVG in South Australia. NSW is free from many of the major fish and shellfish diseases present overseas and elsewhere in Australia. Introduction of new diseases such AVG from seafood intended for human consumption, can pose a risk to NSW abalone stocks and have a significant impact on native aquatic species. To help reduce this risk, recreational fishers are reminded to: 1. Always throw abalone shells, gut and any leftover abalone waste in the bin 2. Do not discard any seafood waste in waterways 3. Do not use any part of an abalone as bait in NSW – it is illegal Penalties apply. Protecting NSW abalone stocks and seafood industries is a key priority for NSW DPI. Be alert for signs of disease within your stock and call the 24-hour EAD Hotline to report any symptoms on 1800 675 888.    For more information, visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/avg More information NSW DPI has implemented a ban on the importation of live abalone sourced from South Australia following a detection of Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG) near Port MacDonnell.  Restrictions implemented under a biosecurity control order by the NSW DPI, mean that recreational fishers cannot bring live Abalone caught in South Australia into NSW, and retail and wholesale seafood businesses can’t import live abalone from South Australia.

Get Hooked... It's Fun to Fish program registrations are OPEN! Join thousands of school students in NSW who will be learning about all things fishy, when your school registers to the NSW DPI's FREE Get Hooked... It's Fun to Fish program designed for school students from Stage 2 in NSW, including High School students. Brad Bannister, Principal at Delegate PS said "Kids and staff absolutely loved it. They found the presentation informative, fun, interactive, and a life skill that can be taken into adulthood. Daniel was the consummate professional, who worked very well with staff and students alike" Student, Oliver M, Lowesdale PS said "I have gone fishing before and I still learnt a lot more things about fishing, overall it was a 10 out of 10 experience." To find out more or to register your school for this fantastic program, visit the webpage. The Get Hooked Program is your recreational fishing licence at work! This is all part of ‘Fish for Life’ - Building a healthy fishing future.

Another Black Marlin Distance Record for the Game Fish Tagging Program On the 28th of January 2023, Peter MacDougal was celebrating his 50thbirthday with his family off Broken Bay aboard Scott Thorrington’s vessel Freedom (Haven Sport Fishing Charters). Peter recalls leaving at daybreak, fishing for live bait off the local headland and then venturing out to set lines, and it didn’t take long before reels were screaming! One of three marlin tagged and released that day was a nice 80kg Black Marlin. In late December 2023, nearly 11 months later, the Black Marlin was reported as recaptured by a Japanese longline vessel on the high seas of the Central South Pacific Ocean. Upon looking at the co-ordinates, it seemed the only feature close to the recapture location was a seamount, known as Anapa Hill Seamount, which was only discovered recently in 2019. The closest land territory to the recapture location was Fatu-Hiva (Marquesas Islands) in French Polynesia, 970 nautical miles to the West. Amazingly, this female Black Marlin measuring in at 190cm had travelled 4,800 nautical miles in 329 days, making this the third longest distance travelled by a Black Marlin within the program since 1973. The average speed of the marlin was just over 14 nautical miles per day (~27km per day) which is certainly not the quickest recorded but impressive nonetheless. The last Black Marlin recorded travelling further than this was back in 1998. This 174cm Black Marlin was tagged off the Bribie Island Trench (QLD) and was also recaptured by Japanese longliner 546 days later in Hawaiian waters, travelling a staggering distance of 6,060 nautical miles with a slightly lower average speed of 11 nautical miles per day (~20km per day). Peter commented that he is proud to be apart of the program given that in his 50th year (also as long as the Game Fish Tagging Program has been running), he happened to catch a record for the program. The Game Fish Tagging Program is another example of your recreational fishing fees at work.

Purchasing a NSW recreational fishing licence is easy You can purchase a NSW Recreational Fishing Licence for $7 for 3 days, $14 for 1 month, $35 for 1 year or $85 for 3 years.   Always purchase your fishing licence from approved NSW Government channels: online through the Service NSW website www.service.nsw.gov.au/services/recreational-fishing-licence by calling 1300 369 365 (Visa and Mastercard only); in person from an approved agent https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/recreational-fishing-fee/fishing-fee-agents in person from Service NSW Centres (Visa and Mastercard only). When fishing in NSW you must carry your fishing receipt (licence) with you and produce it if requested from a Fisheries Officer, unless a licence exemption applies. You can ensure you always have your fishing licence with you, by downloading the Service NSW mobile app and linking your fishing fee receipt to the app: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/service-nsw-mobile-app Please note your email address and mobile number listed on the NSW Fisheries database must be the same as the email and mobile number used for the Service NSW app to successfully link your fishing fee receipt digitally in the app. If you need to update your contact details with NSW DPI Fisheries, call 02 4424 7499 or email recfish.licensing@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Join our growing NSW Fishcare team Come join our team of dedicated, passionate, and valued Fishcare Volunteers, who are essential for all our many recreational fishing events that get run each year across the state.  We are looking to expand our volunteer numbers across NSW, so no matter if you are inland or coastal based, everyone is welcome. We are seeking enthusiastic people aged 18 and above who are keen to help teach the joy of fishing and caring for the environment. Matt R, said – What a day we had fishing with the volunteers and your staff , the volunteers had great knowledge and passion for fishing and the local area, true gentlemen and professionals at all they do. The kids were buzzing all the way home about the day and how they wanted to go fishing all holidays 😊! Karen P, said - Thank you so much for today. My granddaughter, Ella and I had a great time and we’ll be going fishing before the weekend. Ella has talked of nothing else all afternoon. This is an amazing program and very well organised.  Applicants from across NSW are encouraged to apply. Training will be undertaken locally.  All costs are covered. Follow the link to apply - https://bit.ly/37ZjNwd.   The Fishcare Program is your recreational fishing licence at work! This is all part of ‘Fish for Life’ - Building a healthy fishing future.

We want your Mackerel Frames! With warm northern waters moving down the east coast of NSW and whispers of Spanish and spotted mackerel catches filtering in, it won’t be long and mackerel madness will hit.   Once again this summer the Research Angler Program (RAP) is keen to collect your mackerel frames!   If you're lucky enough to catch a legal Spaniard or Spottie, please drop the frame (the entire frame or just the head with total length of the fish indicated) to one of our participating drop-off locations.   The fish don't need to be trophy specimens as we are looking for all size classes. Data collected by this program will contribute towards ensuring continued quality recreational fishing opportunities for mackerel and other key species into the future.   Each frame donated earns an entry into our monthly lucky angler prize draws.   Keen angler Jason landed this 26kg beast of a Spaniard during last years mackerel run and was kind enough to donate it to the RAP. The female fish was 153cm long and had an estimated age of 10 years. To find out more about the RAP, including your closest drop-off location, head to our website NSW Research Angler Program.