Black Bream Protected in Heirisson Island Lakes

[TerryF]

Black Bream Protected in Heirisson Island Lakes

Recreational fishing changes for Swan River anglers http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/media/index.php?0000&mr=462

Date: Tuesday, 3 July 2007

New rules will soon prohibit recreational and commercial fishers for black bream in the Heirisson Island lakes.

Department of Fisheries Management Officer for the South West Bioregion Clinton Syers said both changes, that would take effect from Friday 6 July 2007, were designed to protect the species concerned.

A PROHIBITION ON FISHING FOR BLACK BREAM IN HEIRISSON ISLAND LAKES

Mr Syers said the vulnerability of black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri) in the Heirisson Island lakes was the key factor leading to the permanent prohibition on fishing for the species there.

"Significant numbers of large black bream are known to enter the lakes on Heirisson Island from the Swan River during the spawning season and can and have been easily targeted," he said.

"To provide added protection to black bream, which are a popular species for recreational fishers, fishing in the lakes on Heirisson Island, downstream of the causeway, will be prohibited from Friday 6 July 2007.

"Elsewhere in the Swan River a bag limit of four black bream applies (minimum size limit of 25cm). Within the bag limit fishers can take no more than two black bream over 40cm."

TerryF
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Recfishwest - looking after YOUR recreational fishing future. http://www.recfishwest.org.au/

You need Recfishwest to look after your recreational fishing interests. Who else has the time, the knowledge, the professional approach, the realistic alternatives, the willingness and the contacts?

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Tell us what you think and ask us to explain anything you don't agree with.

You are the ones who benefit when Recfishwest succeeds, or you will lose out when Recfishwest is ignored.

[Lone Ranger]

Great ruling Terry but how do you propose we control that? These people choose not to read so what do we do, kick their buckets? :rolleyes:

[Stu_000]

Fair call I suppose but that will be extremely hard to police and enforce.

I'll be buggered if I've ever caught one in that area anyway.......... :rolleyes:

[Shane]

I have had great sessions in the lakes there. Sometimes it seems almost unfair to the fish ;) Or I am just fantastic :D

Enforcement, well unless they have fishery on their hoofs around there would be very hard. Bust a few people and have a night time lock down maybe.

[TerryF]

Terry but how do you propose we control that?...
FishWatch....

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/sec/feed/fishwatch/index.php says:-

"Have you seen anything recently that you thought was suspicious involving fish or fishing, or that might be some sort of illegal fishing activity? This could include things like someone netting in the river, exceeding their bag or possession limits, taking undersized fish, fishing in a closed area or having more fishing gear in the water than they should.

If you answered 'yes' to any of the above, please contact the Department of Fisheries on its 24-hour FISHWATCH number: 1800 815 507

You can also contact a local district office to speak with a Fisheries and Marine Officer about what you saw.

ANY INFORMATION ON THESE ACTIVITIES COULD BE VALUABLE!

So that you can make an accurate report as possible, please make a note of the following things:

* HOW many people did you see?

* WHO were they? (Did you hear/know any of their names?

* WHAT were they doing?

* WHERE did it happen? The nearest known landmark or intersection of the closest road may help to pinpoint the location of the activity.

* WHAT type of equipment did you see being used, such as the type of cars or boats, including registration numbers, and their descriptions?

* WHEN did it happen - what time and date? Is it something that is happening right now, while you are making a report, or was it something you observed previously?

WHY should you pass on this information? To protect our Fish for the Future!

The Department of Fisheries recommends that you do not approach anyone who you think is involved in illegal activity involving fish or fishing. However, by gathering the above information and forwarding it on to the Department, you will be assisting specially trained Fisheries and Marine Officers in their vital work of conserving WA's fish resources for future generations.

Any information forwarded onto the Department is treated confidentially.

Your observations may be the key to stopping fish thieves!"

TerryF
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Beavering away in the background......http://www.recfishwest.org.au/LogosRecfishwestLogo.gif

Recfishwest - looking after YOUR recreational fishing future. http://www.recfishwest.org.au/

You need Recfishwest to look after your recreational fishing interests. Who else has the time, the knowledge, the professional approach, the realistic alternatives, the willingness and the contacts?

Recfishwest needs YOUR support. We would really like you to become a member http://www.recfishwest.org.au/MembershipDet.htm , get involved and help us.

Tell us what you think and ask us to explain anything you don't agree with.

You are the ones who benefit when Recfishwest succeeds, or you will lose out when Recfishwest is ignored.

[Lone Ranger]

:rolleyes: Ring Fishwatch? I have rung them on numerous occasions. Only twice have I ever got a return call 2 days later and actually they were prepared to listen when I suggested they get a Volunteer Fisheries Officer to warn people if they don't have enough staff, it should do the trick of scaring. I only get told each time they are under staffed and more important priorities. They just don't see estuary fishing as important enough in my opinion. I have the Fishwatch number on my tackle bag and on my key ring. Why? :rolleyes:

[TerryF]

Ring Fishwatch? .... Why?
Coz that's what should work.

Not satisfied with the response from Fishwatch? Think they are not staffed enough to do their job?

Then give the details of your contacts and the responses to:- and see what happens, and let people know on these forums.

Fisheries Minister
Hon. Jon Ford
9th Floor, Dumas House
2 Havelock Street, West Perth WA 6005
email: jon-ford@dpc.wa.gov.au
Phone (08) 9213 7200 Fax: (08) 9213 7201
http://www.ministers.wa.gov.au/ford/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.contact

Executive Director,
Department of Fisheries,
3rd Floor, SGIO Atrium, 168-170 St George's Terrace, Perth WA 6000
Postal Address:- Locked Bag 39, Cloisters Square WA 6850
Phone: 08 9482 7333 Fax: 08 9482 7389
Email: headoffice@fish.wa.gov.au
http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/sec/feed/contact/index.php?0805

TerryF
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Beavering away in the background......http://www.recfishwest.org.au/LogosRecfishwestLogo.gif

Recfishwest - looking after YOUR recreational fishing future. http://www.recfishwest.org.au/

You need Recfishwest to look after your recreational fishing interests. Who else has the time, the knowledge, the professional approach, the realistic alternatives, the willingness and the contacts?

Recfishwest needs YOUR support. We would really like you to become a member http://www.recfishwest.org.au/MembershipDet.htm , get involved and help us.

Tell us what you think and ask us to explain anything you don't agree with.

You are the ones who benefit when Recfishwest succeeds, or you will lose out when Recfishwest is ignored.

[Rod]

I just programed the number into my phone. I understand where your coming form Carol but what Terry is saying is we still need to ring and complain. Then we need to follow our complaints up with the Minister and anyone who will listen..

I always find it annoying that Bream seem to get ignored but i think it's just our offshore fishing brothers make more noise then we do:confused:

SO i intend to start ringing everytime, taking photos and making as much noise as possible...

[Rod]

Sorry i should clarify that i don't mean to approach people breaking the law..I would suggest that many of our members here are younger, folk and even a few women and by no means should any of us really put ourselves in harms way...Hope that makes sense..:)

Just report the details..Discreetly..

[Shane]

Seeing that the area is such a small one, maybe a web cam setup would actually show you times and such when people go there. I could talk to the guys here doing face recognition projects, maybe some form of government project could be started up.

[TerryF]

I could talk to the guys here doing face recognition projects, maybe some form of government project could be started up.
Shane

Possible funding:- http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/media/media.nsf/0c079b992e7e607a48256a5a0016e16b/2c04d10d197349d5c825730c003398db?OpenDocument - River works funding round opens

Community and conservation groups are being urged to work with local government in applying for State Government grants for river works.

Environment Minister David Templeman announced the $1million funding round for 2007-08 today and called for applications from local and State Government agencies to work in partnership for foreshore protection and rehabilitation projects on the Swan and Canning rivers.

Mr Templeman said the Swan River Trust Riverbank funding was available for a wide range of foreshore projects and protection activities along the rivers.

"Projects must help protect and enhance riverbanks, habitat and fringing native vegetation to reduce erosion and protect environmental, recreational, aesthetic and cultural values," he said.

Projects would be supported that provided:

* solutions to threatening processes or degraded river areas;
* trials using innovative approaches to sustainable foreshore management; and
* improvements to the enjoyment of foreshores by addressing public facilities.

To strengthen efforts to protect the Swan and Canning rivers, the State Government increased original Riverbank program funding in 2004, from $125,000 to $1million per year.

Since January 2002, 96 projects have been funded including extensive foreshore revegetation and repair works on the Swan River, and foreshore vegetation, weed control and the installation of fishing platforms on the Canning River.

Projects that address social amenities on the rivers, including safety and infrastructure priorities, will also be considered.

"The trust is working to progress the ‘Swan and Canning Rivers Management Act 2006’, creating the Swan Canning Riverpark to improve coordinated management of the Swan, Canning, Helena and Southern rivers, and tributaries," the Minister said.

Riverbank applications are open for the 2007-08 financial year funding until Monday August 24, 2007.

For more information or to download the application form and guidelines, visit the Swan River Trust website http://www.swanrivertrust.wa.gov.au.

Minister's office - 9220 5050
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TerryF
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Beavering away in the background......http://www.recfishwest.org.au/LogosRecfishwestLogo.gif

Recfishwest - looking after YOUR recreational fishing future. http://www.recfishwest.org.au/

You need Recfishwest to look after your recreational fishing interests. Who else has the time, the knowledge, the professional approach, the realistic alternatives, the willingness and the contacts?

Recfishwest needs YOUR support. We would really like you to become a member http://www.recfishwest.org.au/MembershipDet.htm , get involved and help us.

Tell us what you think and ask us to explain anything you don't agree with.

You are the ones who benefit when Recfishwest succeeds, or you will lose out when Recfishwest is ignored

[Huggy_B]

I'm sorry Terry, but ringing Fishwatch, Fisheries, emailing Jon Ford, local government member, state government members and so on I have found an absolute waste of time with concerns I have raised regarding blue manna crabs, marron, trout, abalone and so fourth. They are under-staffed and nobody is doing anything proactive to rectify it - its not enonomically viable as I have been told.

In the last 12 years of fishing I have done in WA, the closest I have seen to a fisheries officer patrolling any area is the volunteer run weigh station at the Marmion Angling and Aquatic Club and once when a volunteer wanted to see our catch at Challenger boat ramp. But as they both stated, they don't have any statutory powers, which makes them a toothless tiger.

I would estimate that from 15 - 20 calls reporting any illegal activities to Fishwatch etc, I think there was one follow up call returned to me and the rest who knows? I have rung them back to hear that they don't consider it a pressing issue and it has low priority. But the guy with the crab scoop and marron traps took home a lazy dozen or two of our states finest marron 3 nights in a row and I saw him there again this year doing the same. I begin to wonder why do I bother informing the generals if the cavalry isn't arriving?

I may as well piss in a cup and wave it about in the breeze, its about as useful as ringing Fishwatch in my experience.