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August
2003.
PAROO
TO REMAIN UNTAMED.
As
the result of an agreement between the Queensland and NSW Governments
in July, the Paroo River, the last free flowing river in the Murray
Darling Basin, is to remain free of damming, irrigation, or diversion.
Mr Peter Beattie is quoted as saying (Press Release dated 18 July 2003)
"The rich bio-diversity of the Paroo River System is a resource
that can be utilised by scientists and eco-tourism operators and its
preservation will link in with our smart state strategy for Queensland".
We can but wonder how the communities ecological concerns over Paradise
Dam and the proposed Nathan Dam also link in with our 'smart state strategy'?
MURRAY
COD LISTED AS A THREATENED SPECIES.
Murray
cod have recently been added to the list of threatened species as vulnerable,
(under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
1999).
This should have no impact on present Queensland cod regulations as
far as anglers are concerned. What it will mean is that new weirs, dams,
and other activities like de-snagging, will need to be referred to the
Commonwealth Government under the EPBC Act. Hopefully this will result
in a more rigorous examination of potentially adverse impacts on the
cod population.
SIP
PERMITS.
At
a recent FreshwaterMac meeting the QFS Boating and Fisheries Patrol
representative raised concerns over the number of anglers who were not
carrying their permits on them. Of the 170 anglers approached recently,
50% could not produce a permit on the spot. Sooner or later the Boating
and Fisheries Patrol will start imposing penalties. Be warned!
PEST
FISH
Tilapia
continue to spread. Recently a tilapia was caught at Jensen's Crossing
on the Endeavour River near Cooktown. Only one has turned up so far.
QFS have asked local anglers to keep their eyes open and report any
new sightings. QFS will be conducting surveys in the region to see how
extensive these infestations are.
PARADISE
DAM.
The
fire works over Paradise Dam appear far from over. A recently commissioned
report produced by Griffith University for the Queensland Conservation
(QCC) casts doubt on the projects commercial viability. The report suggests
that the dam's main consumer groups will not be able to afford the price
of the water. The QCC have asked the National Competition Council to
stop the project.
NATIONAL
RECREATIONAL FISHING SURVEY.
The
recently released National Recreational Fishing Survey comes up with
some interesting figures. Throughout Australia recreational anglers
caught some 30,000 tonnes of fish for a return of some $1,860M. In comparison,
in the same year, the South Eastern Trawl Fishery alone caught some
29,000 tonnes for a return of only $72 million. The commercial fishery
catch does not include the by-catch of juvenile fish, often dead or
severely damaged, thrown back over the side as 'trash'. Recreational
angler's conservation ethics was also highlighted by the fact that one
of every three fish caught was released. Hopefully this report will
mean more recognition of the importance of recreational fishing to both
State and Federal governments.
PASSING
OF RON COLLINS
Sadly,
Ron Collins passed away recently after a long battle with cancer. Ron
had a high profile in recreational fishing circles as the publisher
of Bush and Beach, and also for some years as president of the Boating
Industry Association of Queensland. He was never afraid to speak out
and his input over the years resulted in the successful outcome of a
number of political recreational issues. Ron was a strong supporter
of freshwater stocking. One of his initiatives was the introduction
of BIAQ grants to stocking groups. FFSAQ extends their sympathy to Ron's
family.
LUCINDA
STOCKING WORKSHOP
Once
again a very informative workshop was held in North Queensland. Most
groups in the North were represented. A range of interesting topics
were presented, but possibly none more so, than Terry Valance's on Barramundi
stocking rates and carrying capacity
INGLEWOOD
FRESHWATER WORKSHOP.
Some
36 stocking groups and 6 commercial hatcheries attended. The workshop
was co-hosted by the Inglewood Fish and Stocking Association who put
in a lot of effort to ensure all participants were well looked after.
As with all these workshops, a whole range of topical and interesting
issues were discussed. Unfortunately, as expected, a number remained
unresolved.
FFSAQ
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
The
AGM was held on the Saturday afternoon of the Inglewood workshop. Executives
elected for the next twelve months were: President-Les Kowitz, Vice
President-Lloyd Willmann, Treasurer-Kev Horsey, and Secretary-Alex Hamlyn.
Advisory committee members elected were Vince Collis (Noosa Hatchery),
Phil Bevis. (BVA), Joe Legrady (BVA), Noal Kuhl. (Oakey), Keith Henningsen.
(Warwick), and Warren Vickers (Inglewood).
Some issues discussed included: communication with northern groups,
Anti Dam Alliance, Carpbuster's competitions, fragility of funding for
non-SIP groups, SIP distribution formulae and the continued pressure
by QFS to use SIP funds for purposes other than finerling purchases.
In regards to the last item, a motion was put: That all SIP funds go
directly to the purchase of fingerlings or some other associated stocking
activity". Moved Alan Keates, seconded Warren Vickers. Carried
unanimously. FFSAQ have informed QFS of this motion for their information.
The next AGM is to be held at Blackwater in the last weekend of May
2004.
FAREWELL
TO RACHAEL MACKENZIE.
Rachael
(initially pest fish, and more recently habitat) has left QFS for a
position in DNR. FFSAQ wishes Rachael all the best in her new job.
At present Aimee Burton (Pest Fish), and Peter Kind (Freshwater stocking)
are filling in. FFSAQ will be watching closely to ensure that this position
is filled. A letter has been written to the QFS GM to this effect.
FFSAQ
ANGLER EDUCATION NIGHT.
FFSAQ's
Angler Education Subcommittee intend holding a freshwater Angler Education
evening sometime in Nov/Dec. This will be done in conjunction with the
Carpbusters, probably at Beaudesert.
JUNGLE
PERCH RESEARCH
FFSAQ
continues to push this issue. In the long term we see it as a potentially
important additional species for freshwater stocking. However the main
concern at this time, is that the southern strain is falling to such
low numbers that in a few years it may well be beyond recovery.
The DPI Minister's initial response was that the DPI was looking for
outside funding for further JP research. FFSAQ replied that this was
not good enough, and ultimately FFSAQ held the DPI responsible to progress
JP research. The Minister's response was futher JP funding would be
looked at when DPI put their 2003/04 budget. FFSAQ will follow this
up.
REGIONAL
STRATEGY GROUPS
These
groups are umbrella groups for other community groups such as Landcare,
ICM's etc and are set up by the State Government to develop regional
strategies as a part of the initiative for the Commonwealth to distribute
NHT funds. If something is not identified as a priority there will be
very few funding opportunities.
Stocking associations are urged to contact their local regional group
and find out how they can provide input into the process. We are all
aware that fish habitats are a priority, however the wider community
may not even be aware of major issues, such as fish passage and the
importance of in-stream habitat.
The Mackay group have had a whole range of fishway and habitat projects
funded by the NHT via their local Regional Strategy group.
FFSAQ will shortly distributing a list of contacts for all regional
groups in Queensland and a QFS summary of some of the issues.
MEETING
WITH DNR MINISTER.
On the 19th August FFSAQ met with the DNR Minister and his advisors
for the first time. As such most of the discussion was fairly introductory.
Some topics discussed were fishways, minimum water levels, pest fish,
and Lungfish. The Minister appeared to be fully aware of the issues,
and genuinely interested in our comments and position. FFSAQ will be
further consulting with DNRM staff.
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