NSW Research Angler Program Newsletter

Dear NSW Research Angler,

please find attached the NSW Research Angler Program Newsletter for spring 2017!

On behalf of Fisheries NSW, I would like to thank all of you who participate in the various components of the NSW Research Angler Program for your passion and enthusiasm.

A big thank you to all of the research anglers and spearfishers out there who have donated their mulloway, snapper, tailor, kingfish, pearl perch and dusky flathead frames this past spring.

We had more than 200 frames, heads or jewels donated to the program covering the entire size spectrum of recreationally-caught fish - from 30 cm snapper right up to 133 cm 11 year old mulloway! This information is priceless for researchers who study these iconic recreational fish species.

We had 5 tagged mulloway recaptures, including an 104 cm fish recaptured in the Hawkesbury River which had been tagged 1149 days earlier when just 59.5 cm in length!

Remember, even if it is only one frame, we will do (almost) anything to get it!

Many thanks once again for your involvement in this exciting new approach Fisheries NSW is taking to collect crucial data for NSW’s most popular recreational fish species.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you wish to discuss any aspect of the program whatsoever.

Thank you again and happy summer fishing for jewies, reddies, kingies, pearlies, macks, duskies and choppers!

Kind regards,

Julian Hughes

Dr Julian Hughes | Research Scientist | Wild Fisheries Unit
NSW Department of Primary Industries | Sydney Institute of Marine Science
Building 19 Chowder Bay Road Mosman NSW 2088 Australia
T: 02 9435 4671 | F: 02 9969 8664 | M: 0411 788 436 | E: Julian.Hughes@dpi.nsw.gov.au
W: www.industry.nsw.gov.au | www.dpi.nsw.gov.au | www.sims.org.au |

AFTA's Marine Park call to action

IN August 2017, the Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) welcomed and supported the plans issues by the Government for the Commonwealth Marine Reserve System. AFTA said it has not waived its support for the Government on this issue.

This week the Government released revised plans that have increased protections on both East and West Coasts Australia. AFTA has consulted with the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation and the Game Fishing Association of Australia and have determined that these increased protections pose no issue or threat to recreational fishing. AFTA fully endorses the Government's revised Marine Park Plans. 

It is highly likely that the Opposition will lodge an Disallowance Motion against the revised plans.

AFTA said industry as a whole and concerned individuals need to make some noise and contact independent and cross-bench members and let them know that the Government’s revised plans for the Commonwealth Marine Reserve System are good for recreational fishers, good for industry and good for Australia.

The Government’s plans present a balanced approach to ensuring our unique marine environment is protected while allowing sustainable recreational fishing access for Australia’s 5 million recreational fishers and the industry behind them.

An AFTA spokesman said: "We are close to seeing these plans become a reality – but only if we can convince Independent and Cross-bench members to supportr the Government's plans rather than the unacceptable Burke plans, which will result in major lockouts all over the country."

What can you do?

• Contact Cross-bench and Independent Members. Their contact details are listed at the bottom of this story.
• Tell them that as both a recreational fisher and a business owner you support the Government’s plans for the Commonwealth Marine Reserves.

AFTA together with the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation, Game Fishing Association of Australia and Seafood Industry Australia are joining forces on this issue to protect the future of fishing in Australia.