New redclaw regulation proposed for Tinaroo

The proposal is outlined in the Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) Combined Fisheries Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) and Draft Public Benefit Test, currently released for public comment.

QFS policy officer Anita Wohlsen said redclaw had become established in several areas outside its natural range in Queensland including Lake Tinaroo, currently the only location outside redclaw’s natural range where it may be used as live bait.

Ms Wohlsen said the use of crayfish as live bait was only encouraged within their natural range to prevent unnecessary spread of crayfish species.

“The proposal is aimed at preventing the further spread of redclaw to areas where they could compete with other species native to the area,” she said.

“It will reduce the possibility of live redclaw being taken as bait from Tinaroo and used in other waters where they could compete with other crayfish species for food and space as well as bring with them threats of disease.

“Preventing the use of redclaw as a live bait at Lake Tinaroo is a precautionary measure to protect other species and help to ensure the sustainability of freshwater fish species.”

Redclaw are found naturally in the Gulf of Carpentaria Drainage Division and far northern river basins within the East Coast Drainage Division such as the Hann, Jacky Jacky, Lockhart, Normanby, Olive, Pascoe, and Stewart.

Ms Wohlsen said recent amendments to the Fisheries (Freshwater) Management Plan 1999 saw the redclaw take and possession limit removed from Lake Tinaroo as well as the regulation to return berried females to the water.

“The proposed amendment will standardise the area where redclaw regulations apply, streamlining the legislation for the community,” she said.

Ms Wohlsen pointed out anglers could continue to collect native crustaceans such as Macrobrachium from Lake Tinaroo to use as live bait as an alternative to redclaw.

Full details of the proposed management arrangements outlined in the Combined Fisheries Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) and Draft Public Benefit Test 2003 are available from the DPI Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb or from the DPI Call Centre on 13 25 23. All comments must be received in writing by 5pm on Monday, June 16.

Fisheries forum highlights Condamine and Warrego monitoring

Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) researcher, Jason McGilvray, will present information on the results on the long-term monitoring of freshwater fisheries in the two rivers.

Recreational fishers in south-west Queensland will have an opportunity to hear Mr McGilvray’s findings as well as discuss a range of fisheries management issues at the forum.

QFS Recreational Fisheries Unit manager Terry Healy said the forum would allow members of the public who did not normally have the opportunity to discuss fisheries management issues, a chance to have their say.

Mr Healy said QFS was interested in hearing the views of all members of the public not just specific interest groups.

“Groups such as fishing clubs, stocking groups and conservation organisations are routinely consulted as part of the decision-making processes,” he said.

“However, as fisheries resources are a public resource, this forum provides other members of the community with the opportunity to come and talk to QFS about fisheries management decisions.”

Mr Healy said that it was especially important during the Year of Freshwater to recognise the importance of freshwater fishing to inland communities and acknowledge the need to consult with those communities.

“The more people who are informed about the issues and take part in the decision-making process, the better for the future of Queensland’s fisheries,” he said.

The forum will be held at The Overlander Homestead Motel Conference Room in Roma, from 11am to 3pm on 31 May 2003. Contact Claire Andersen on (07) 3225 1396 to register.

Major changes proposed for Queensland’s east coast Spanish mackerel fishery

The proposals are outlined in the Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) Combined Fisheries Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) and Draft Public Benefit Test, currently released for public comment.

The major proposals include:

A decrease in the recreational possession limit of Spanish mackerel from 10 to three fish which will also apply to charter fishing trips. However, the exemption that allows recreational fishers on extended commercial tours (of greater than 48 hours) to retain twice the possession limit will remain;
Imposing a total allowable catch (TAC) on the commercial sector to a maximum of about 620 tonnes;
Limiting the number of commercial fishing licences able to participate in the fishery via the application of minimum catch criteria between 1998 and 2002; and
Allocating individual transferable quotas to those operators who have demonstrated an historical involvement in the fishery.

QFS policy officer Stephanie Slade said the proposals were aimed at helping to sustain and protect east coast Spanish mackerel stocks.

Ms Slade said recent research into Spanish mackerel stocks indicated the fishery was fully exploited at current levels.

“The number of spawning fish is also likely to be low given Spanish mackerel is an aggregating species, increasing its vulnerability to overfishing during spawning periods,” she said.

“The research further indicates that the distribution of these aggregations on the east coast has also contracted over the past 30 years.”

Ms Slade said another major cause of concern was the potential for fishing effort to transfer to the Spanish mackerel fishery following the implementation of strict new management arrangements for Queensland’s coral reef fin fish fishery.

“The Draft Fisheries (Coral Reef Fin Fish) Management Plan 2002 proposes, among other measures, to limit participation in the coral reef fin fish fishery, increasing the potential for effort transfer to other fish species which could be disastrous for Spanish mackerel stocks,” she said.

Ms Slade said it was important to act now and protect the fishery before it was too late.

“It would be negligent to ignore the growing body of evidence and allow fishing effort directed at Spanish mackerel to increase dramatically,” she said.

“If nothing is done, it could be too late and this valuable resource would be lost.”

Ms Slade encouraged all members of the community to have their say about the proposals.

Full details of the proposed management arrangements outlined in the Combined Fisheries Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) and Draft Public Benefit Test 2003 are available from the DPI Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb or from the DPI Call Centre on 13 25 23. All comments must be received in writing by 5pm on Monday, June 16.

Source: http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au