January 2004

CHEAP INSURANCE?

Unfortunately, these days there is no such thing as "cheap" insurance. However one of our stocking groups has obtained a quote which appears to be more reasonable than some others. The Oakey group was recently quoted $437 for public liability insurance cover of $5,000,000. This does not cover fishing competitions. Fishing competition cover would be a bit more and would vary for each group and each activity. Any group presently looking for insurance, can contact Noal Kuhl on (07) 4691 5157 (e-mail kuhl@austarnet.com.au ), for more information.

LUNGFISH ADDED TO THREATENED SPECIES LIST

Lungfish have now been added to the threatened species list. Like Murray cod a few months ago, this will have very little impact on us anglers. What it will mean for organisations like Sunwater and DNRM is that management plans will need to be put in place to minimise the effect of activities that may impact on lungfish. Aspects like ensuring adequate environmental flows will almost certainly also benefit other species.

FFSAQ WEBSITE

This website has now been improved and up dated. Have a browse at ffsaq.ausfish.com.au. Please note that on some computers it may be necessary to hit the refresh button on the top tool bar to get the updated version.

NEW SUNFISH PRESIDENT

FFSAQ congratulates Bill Turner on his recent election as Chairman of Sunfish. Les Kowitz has already had a meeting with Bill and we look forward to continuing our positive association with Sunfish.
We also take this opportunity to thank John Doohan, the outgoing Chairman, for many years of close co-operation and support. John has always been a strong supporter of FFSAQ. John's forthright manner in dealing with recreational fishing issues will be missed.

QUEENSLAND FISHING MONTHLY PAGE

Just a reminder! Queensland Fishing Monthly has very generously donated a full page to FFSAQ, totally free of charge. FFSAQ will use this as a forum to address issues of importance to freshwater anglers. It is not inconceivable that at times this forum will also be used to criticize the Government of the day, on issues where they have been particularly slack. Part of this page will also be set aside to profile individual stocking associations. Brisbane Valley Anglers were the first off the rank. Ultimately FFSAQ would like to see every group profiled on this page. Obviously, with some 70 odd groups in Queensland, this would need to be achieved over a period. The editor of FFSAQ's QFM page is Les Kowitz. Have a chat to Les in regards to having your group profiled. Les would also appreciate your thoughts on relevant issues of concern to your group that you would like to have published. Les can be contacted on 41631191.

FFSAQ MEETING WITH PETER JACKSON (QFS)

Les Kowitz had a meeting with Peter Jackson in late December to discuss a number of issues of concern to our stocking groups. All the issues discussed are too numerous to list here in full. Below are some of the most important.
(1). QFS Strategy and Business Plan. QFS are progressing these. At this stage nothing is likely to change in regards to service to stocking groups.
(2). QFS Staffing. There appears to be a thrust within QFS senior management to reduce staff servicing the stocking program. FFSAQ will be watching closely to ensure that this does not happen.
(3). Minimum Water Levels. QFS have not progressed this issue. It would appear that FFSAQ is going to be left to run with this. More about minimum water levels later in the newsletter.
(4). Mullet and Bass Stockings.
(a) Mullet. FFSAQ has concerns with the recent refusal by QFS to allow stockings of mullet by a number of groups. In all the areas involved with applications to stock mullet, mullet are an endemic species, that have been excluded from the waters only because of man made obstructions. To subject this species to translocation limitations is obviously quite ridiculous.
(b) Bass. In regards to bass, FFSAQ is concerned with the recent decision by QFS to prevent further bass stockings immediately upstream of the Bundaberg Barrage. The QFS position on this is now that the fish ladder 'is working' there is no need to continue stocking, as natural recruitment will ensure adequate stocks. FFSAQ seriously questions this assumption. Adequate levels of natural recruitment should have been established before the decision was made to discontinue stocking. The Freshwater MAC Translocation Sub-committee was specifically set up to decide on these types off issues. It appears that the MAC has been by-passed. Peter Jackson appeared to be unaware of the above, and undertook to get back to FFSAQ.
(5). Wet Tropics Management Authority. Some concern has been expressed by a number of northern groups that the WTMA is intent on getting involved in the stocking program and possibly cutting back on further stockings. QFS have prepared a memorandum of understanding that recognises that stockings are being undertaken in a responsible manner. It will be interesting to see how the WTMA responds. FFSAQ has also responded to the WTMA draft strategy.

LOW WATER LEVELS AND SIP FUNDS

The Burdekin group have come up with an interesting proposition. They suggest that where a group cannot stock because of low water levels, the group could transfer funds to the Burdekin group. These funds would be repaid in a subsequent year when water levels have returned to normal. The advantage for the Burdekin Dam is that they could do one huge stocking to establish barra, and then for a couple of years conduct much smaller maintenance stockings. If any stocking groups see any merit or interest in this proposition, please advise FFSAQ. If sufficient interest is forthcoming, it will then be tabled at the next SIP meeting for discussion.

FFSAQ MEETING WITH OPPOSITION

In October FFSAQ executive members Les Kowitz and Joe Legrady met with Lawrence Springborg and Jeff Seeney of the Government Opposition. This was the first time that FFSAQ had met with the Opposition. The Opposition gave support for the continuance of the RFEP and the SIP scheme. Jeff Seeney supported the concept of adopting minimum water levels in stocked impoundments that ensured fish survival, but any such level would have to be realistic, and be substantiated by scientific data. Fishways on dam and weir infrastructure appeared to be accepted, but a commitment to retrofit existing structures was not forthcoming. FFSAQ advised of its policy of opposing the construction of new dams that do not adequately address the subsequent environmental impacts on the fishery. The Opposition response was pretty much "silent" in this regard. The management and control of pest fish species was a concern of the Opposition, but again no forthcoming commitment. The Opposition did acknowledge that freshwater fishing was a significant asset to rural communities in both an economic and social sense.

FFSAQ MEETING WITH SUNWATER & DNRM -- MINIMUM WATER LEVELS

On the invitation of SunWater and DNRM, Les Kowitz attended a meeting (21.01.04) to discuss minimum water levels in stocked impoundments in times of drought. It would appear that the Queensland State Government, SunWater, and DNRM all have a desire not to endure bad publicity in the event of a major fish kill caused by insufficient water. As such, there appears to be a genuine attempt to avoid this from happening. However, having said that, it was very clear that Government sees their main obligation as providing water to it's consumptive clients, without the possibility of paying out compensation for amended allocations. There were three (3) main principles established as suggested options. (1) That FFSAQ, or it's affiliated member stocking group, have input into the DNRM Water Resource Plan (WRP) process for the applicable catchment. (2) That SunWater draft a Critical Water Supply Strategy in conjunction with FFSAQ, that is to be implemented in times of severe drought conditions. (3) That stocking groups adopt a balanced stocking program that reflects that at times there may be very low water levels that could have an impact of fish survival. All of these still need to be further discussed at future negotiations, but it is felt at least, the direction is positive and meaningful.

GAMING FUND GRANT

FFSAQ has been successful in obtaining $6400 from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund. The grant is to upgrade FFSAQ's office equipment such as computers, printers, scanners, and photocopier. This upgrade will allow FFSAQ to undertake it's duties of representing stocking groups and enhancing our freshwater fishery, in a more efficient manner. Many thanks to the Queensland State Government.

NEXT FFSAQ MEETING
SATURDAY -- 20th MARCH 2004

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