STOCKED IMPOUNDMENT PERMITS (SIP). RECENT FINES.
Substantial fines are being handed out to anglers who either do not have a permit or who do not carry a permit with them. Some recent examples from Leslie and Coolmunda Dams are listed below.
· 12 anglers with no SIP. $360 each
· 2 anglers with no SIP and fishing within the Leslie exclusion zone $600 each.
· 1 angler not carrying a permit on him/her $180.
Magistrate Gordon Dean said (quote "The fines seem high but the public has to be aware that fish stocking was an expensive business" (end quote).

TILAPIA IN BOONDOOMA.
Some indication of how quickly the tilapia population has grown. At the Boondooma Annual Yellowbelly Fishing Competition last year, no tilapia were handed in. At this years competition a month or so back, approximately 280 tilapia were handed in. Sizes varied from 50 to 350mm in length. One angler came in with a bag of 60.
Tilapia were first recorded in Boondooma in about May 2000. Sunwater (who sells the water), Tarong Power (who buys the water), DNR &M (who licenses Sunwater), and DPI who are responsible for noxious fish, have argued for almost two years over who is going to do what. At long last Tarong (to their credit) are paying for the installation of filters in the line to Bjelke Petersen (about $500,000), and DPI will continue with fish surveys on a regular basis. The filters may at least stop tilapia getting into BjelkePetersen. So at last we have some progress here. On the negative side it needs to be noted however that the tilapia problem in the Barron/Mitchell Rivers, something that has been festering for years, has not advanced at all.

As for the poor old Burnett River, nothing will now stop tilapia entering the system when Boondooma goes over. Add to this sleepy cod from Wuruma and Bjelke. Paradise Dam will provide ideal still water habitat, which will ensure both species multiply quickly. This may pose serious problems for the lungfish. The same may apply to bass, mullet, and goodness knows how many smaller native species. So much for sustainability and biodiversity!

QUEENSLAND STOCKROUTE NETWORK STRATEGY.
DNR &M are reviewing the Management of Queenslands stock routes. Stock Routes and the associated reserves are extremely important to many of our stocking groups. In many areas these provide the only public access to our riverine fisheries. Stockroute access is even more important to those groups focused on promoting tourist and visiting anglers. If these anglers do not have clearly defined access with reasonable bush camping facilities, they will simply go elsewhere. FFSAQ has contacted all groups urging them to respond to DNR & M's offer of input. It is most important that all groups insist that they be fully involved in any consultation process in regards to stock routes/reserve access in their area of operation. Groups also need to clearly define those reserves of value to anglers. We also urge our groups to obtain a copy of the Stock Route Network Strategy. All contacts and responses in this regard should be made to Wally Kearnan, Fax (07) 3896 3342, or phone (07) 3406 2851, or email: wally.kearnan.@nrm.qld.gov.au. The postal address is Wally Kearnan, Principal Policy Officer, Stockroute Network Strategy, Locked bag 40, Coorparoo Delivery Ctr, Qld 4151. FFSAQ will also be asking DPI/QFS to have significant input into this review .

INTERIM RESOURCE OPERATING LICENCES (IROL) REVIEW.
As this stage, the review applies to all groups on the Burnett, Isis and Fred Haig (Monduran). FFSAQ has asked all groups to register their desire to be part of the consultancy process. When proposing minimum water levels for your storage take into account some of the following:
· Dead Storage Level. Needs to be set to ensure sufficient habitat such as fallen timber, shallow weed banks, overall water depth etc. What do forage species like shrimp, small native fish, etc need to survive. Without and adequate food source stocked species will not survive.
· Siltation Levels. These must be accounted for as they may be quite significant.
· Monthly evaporation levels. Evaporation may account for 0.5 m per month in summer.
· Water Quality. Parameters need to be part of the IROL. Anaerobic waters will not support aquatic life. De-stratification tools (compressed air) must be incorporated when water levels get low.
· Discharge Levels. Too much too quickly may result in stranded fish.
· The IROL must contain a contingency plan for dealing with noxious fish and plants.

COUNTRY CABINET MEETINGS.
These are an ideal opportunity to raise local issues with the appropriate government ministers. At the recent Stanthorpe meeting the local stocking groups raised their concerns in regards to a number of issues including
· Irrigators illegally pumping out water holes.
· Insufficient DNR policing.
· Problems with differences in cross border fisheries regulations,
· Inadequate Boating and Fisheries Patrol activity, need for Patrol officers to be stationed in Warwick or Toowoomba.
The group feel they got a reasonable hearing. Whether anything will come of it is another matter?

BARRAMUNDI POLICY.
The idea of stocking barramundi into southern Queensland impoundments (outside their recognized range) has created some discussion in recent times. The most southerly range of barra is generally accepted to be the Mary River. There is a section of the fishing community who believe that barra should be stocked south of the Mary, but there are also others who would much prefer a cautionary approach be undertaken. This topic has been debated by FFSAQ on many occasions during the past year or so, and I am sure it will continue for some time yet. However, as an interim approach, FFSAQ has resolved: "At this point of time, FFSAQ is of the opinion that before barramundi, or any other apex predator, is stocked into SEQ impoundments, there needs to be further scientific research on potential impacts. FFSAQ supports these trials to be undertaken, but in the meantime, precautionary principles should apply".

LUNGFISH.
The QFS study on Queensland Lungfish has now been completed. The historical home of the lungfish being the Burnett and Mary Rivers of south east Queensland. The data in this report is particularly interesting ,given the recent approval to construct the Paradise Dam on the Burnett River.. Contact QFS for a copy.

BIAQ STOCKING GRANTS.
Stocking groups would be aware that in past years, the Boating Industry Association of Queensland, (BIAQ), has provided grants to stocking groups to the total value of $10,000. Five grants of $2000 each. These have historically been presented at the Brisbane Boat Show each year. However, this did not occur at the last Show. The main reason being that stocking groups were not sufficiently interested in submitting worthwhile projects for consideration. What does this say of our organization! Here is a sponsor of freshwater fishing who is willing and prepared to contribute, and we do not take advantage of it, and do our part. Do you want help or not! FFSAQ will be making an approach to the BIAQ in an attempt to re-establish this form of sponsorship. For it to be successful, depends on the level of stocking group interest.

CANIA DAM MONITORING.
The monitoring of Cania Dam by both QFS and SunWater continues on a monthly basis. Because of the very low water levels in Cania, it was decided to allocate resources to a project that hopefully will produce some indicators of the impact that such water condition has on fish sustainability and health. There is no doubt that the project is very worthwhile and necessary. The Cania project will continue until a significant inflow of water is received into the impoundment, and the impacts recorded. It would be a waste of resources if this did not occur.
However, the downside is that all QFS monitoring funds for the year has been expended on this exercise in southern Queensland. All other stocking groups have been denied their usual degree of monitoring surveys. QFS has indicated that budget requirements are so tight that there was no alternative but for this to happen. The Queensland Government has an obligation and responsibility under the RFEP to fulfil their part of the agreement. Both the Government and the community has an equal role to play. It is believed the community has played it's part, what of the Government? It would be worthwhile for all stocking groups to contact the DPI Minister and remind him of the Government's responsibility.

RESEARCH PRIORITIES.
Research priorities for the future stocking of new species into Queensland freshwater is now being sought by QFS.
It is imperative that all stocking groups contribute to this survey, as it will form the basis of future scientific studies to be undertaken. It is impossible for a large number of species to be trialed to see if they are a suitable for stocking and have minimal impact on both indigenous and previously stocked species. A short list of possibles will be established. Your suggestions are important.

NEXT FFSAQ MEETING.
General Meeting on the 18th May 2002 at Kev Horsey's. 110 Aspinall St, Leichhardt. 9am Start.
ALL WELCOME.

FFSAQ Inc.
PO Box 2025
Brighton Qld 4017
Fax: 07 3869 0385