Issue 160, 8 December 2005

Fisheries Victoria is calling on recreational fishers and the community to have their say on the preparation of the Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan. 

The Management Plan is being prepared to manage fishing activities in Lake Tyers now that it has been declared a fisheries reserve to provide for enhanced recreational fishing opportunities. 

An important step in the preparation of the Management Plan is to seek the views of recreational fishers and other community members on values or issues associated with fishing in Lake Tyers. In particular, we would like to know:

• What species of fish are the most important for recreational fishing in Lake Tyers?
• What factors do the community believe are limiting their ability to target or catch these species?
• How can recreational fishing opportunities be enhanced in Lake Tyers?

To assist in gathering this information a public meeting will be held at the Lake Tyers Beach Community Hall (next to the Toorloo Arm Primary School, Beach Road) at Lake Tyers Beach on Wednesday 11 January 2006 starting at 7:00pm.

Written submissions on fishing in Lake Tyers can also be sent to Jodie Simpson - Fisheries Planning Officer, Fisheries Victoria, 574 Main Street Bairnsdale VIC 3875 or email – Jodie.Simpson@dpi.vic.gov.au by close of business on Friday 20 January 2006.

There will be further opportunities for community participation in the planning process when the draft Management Plan is released for public comment in the middle of the year. 

Further information can be obtained by contacting Ms. Jodie Simpson on 5152 0443 or 0418 397 131.

Inspection reveals undersized bream

Two fishers were recently intercepted by Fisheries Officers with 80 undersized black bream south of Bairnsdale along the Mitchell River.  Fisheries Victoria officers seized all fish, a total of 12 fishing rods and tackle on the night.  The case will now go to court. 

The minimum size limit for bream in Gippsland Lakes and its tributaries (rivers flowing in) is 28cm and the possession limit is 10 / person per day.  The size limit for bream in the Gippsland Lakes and tributaries has been increased from 26 cm to 28 cm for both recreational and commercial fishers.  These measures have been introduced by Fisheries Notice to provide additional protection to dwindling Gippsland Lakes bream stocks which have been influenced by habitat and environmental factors to ensure fishing pressure does not exacerbate the situation. 

Members of the public who observe any apparent illegal fishing activity in the Gippsland Lakes are reminded to call 13FISH (13 3474) at any time of day, seven days a week. 

Murray Cod Season open

The Murray Cod season opened last Thursday 1 December. 

Victoria sustains many wild populations of Murray cod, particularly in the lower reaches of northern flowing inland rivers. 

The fishery had been closed from 1 September to 30 November to provide increased protection for spawning fish.  In addition, where natural spawning is insufficient to support recreational fishing, Fisheries Victoria stocks Murray cod.  In the last 12 months, more than 320,000 Murray cod were stocked by Fisheries Victoria and angling organisations. 

The public is reminded to observe the legal minimum length of 50 cm and a bag limit of 2 fish per day of which only one can be longer than 75 cm.  Limiting the number of large Murray cod caught and retained is important for sustaining the fishery, as larger fish contribute more to spawning. 

Random inspections by Fisheries Officers will continue across northern Victoria to ensure anglers are complying with regulations.  Fisheries Victoria’s hotline for reporting illegal fishing activities, 13 FISH (13 3474) was proving a success.  Anglers fishing for Murray cod are urged to report any sightings of commercial fishing gear in northern Victorian rivers and lakes. 

Port Phillip Bay anglers see red

Anglers are taking advantage of the exceptional number of large snapper known as “big reds” present in Port Phillip Bay. 

The snapper season is booming with large quantities of fish around the 3 to 5kg mark being caught by anglers, with many anglers bagging out in record time.  Most of the larger fish being caught at present result from strong spawning success in summer 95/96 and 97/98 that follow on the back of reasonable spawning success in 92/93 and 94/95.

Primary Industry Research (PIRVic) scientists have also reported a further highly successful spawning in summer 2000/01 that is providing a strong crop of smaller “pinky” snapper.  They also suggest that solid spawning in 2003/04 and 2004/05 will hopefully see the recent good snapper seasons continue for sometime to come.

Anglers need to show restraint in the amount of fish they take to help ensure everyone gets to share in the fantastic fishing currently on offer.  Anglers are encouraged to only catch what they want for personal use.  They must also remember it is illegal to sell fish without a proper licence.

The current daily bag limit for snapper is 10 fish, all of which must be longer than 27cm, with only three of those allowed to be longer than 50cm.  Fisheries Officers are actively targeting the ongoing problem of a minority of anglers who simply ignore the bag limits.  Penalties for fishing offences are fines of up to $20,000 and 12 months in jail or both, as well as confiscation of fishing and related equipment.  Recent surveys indicate responsible anglers do not accept illegal fishing activities and we have established a 24 hour reporting line 13-FISH (13 3474) for members of the public to provide information to help us all manage our fisheries for the future.

More information on snapper is contained in the ‘Know Your Catch…’ brochure released by Fishcare that includes information on the lifecycle, migration, age and growth, biology and reproduction of snapper.  It can be downloaded from the Fishcare website by clicking on the southwest page at www.fishcare.org.au or receive a copy by individual request to fishcare.southwest@dpi.vic.gov.au.

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