See Paul's profile here.

18 December 2009

With Paul Pingiaro from:
Mornington Boat Hire, and
Track Air Adventures

MAKO MADNESS

Unknown to many anglers out there our federal and state governments are looking at banning Mako and Porbeagle Shark fishing as of 29th of January 2010 under the The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Instead of implementing a proper management solution focused on long liners, illegal shark finners and oceanic overfishing, the humble sport and game fisher is once again going to suffer. The listing of the short fin and long fin mako as well as the porbeagle shark on the EPBC Act is predominately based on a global trend and northern hemisphere studies. It's widely regarded that the major threat to these species is not over fishing of the sharks themselves but overfishing of their prey and becoming By-catch. Commercial fishing for squid, tuna, mackerel and small pelagic fish are more of a threat to mako sharks in Australian waters than recreational anglers.

Photo of Paul Pingiaro and Client with 75kg Mako Shark Flinders Island, Tas.
( Photo By James Luddington)

This ban will harm many. Charter operators, fishing bait and tackle shops, caravan parks and anglers in general are going to suffer. About 100 t (of mako sharks) were taken in Australian EEZ waters by Japanese tuna vessels each season (Stevens and Wayte 1999), yet the ban is placed on recreational anglers. The sport and Game fisher on a whole is a very environmentally responsible and reasonable being, this ban is simply a lazy government dictating legislation without proper consultation, research or reason. Our government has it very wrong with this issue, the listing of these species in the EPBC Act is based on “species-specific data (for short fin mako sharks) are not currently available from this region (Australia) for evaluation, given the declines observed where it is heavily fished in the north Atlantic declines in this area are inferred based on continuing high levels of exploitation” (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.) Put simply our government is legislating without debating, consulting, planning or assessing. More frightful however is the fact that legislation based on inferred and non existent data has been passed. Action should be taken by the Australian Government to reduce the by-catch and Finning (and discarding of carcasses) of mako sharks. It's the old political adage, “We have to do something, and this is something”.

To find out more or to contact the Government Department involved here are the details:

Email: cms@environment.gov.au

Phone: 02 6274 2818

Mail: Director, Policy Analysis and Advice

Marine Division

Department of the Environment, Water,

Heritage and the Arts

GPO Box 787

CANBERRA ACT 2601

LOOKING AHEAD

Well it's getting to that time of year when the kids finish school and work give you the reprieve of some holiday time off. So where do you take the family and/or your mates to bag a brace of fish?

Over the Christmas period Western Port Bay anglers catch Snapper, Squid, King George Whiting and Gummy Sharks. The best locations for those with boats are Hastings (Snapper ), Stony Point (Snapper, Whiting, Gummy Shark), Cowes (Gummy Shark) and Flinders (Squid, Whiting, Gummy Shark) and for those that are land based Stony Point Pier, Flinders Pier and Point Leo Back Beach are the choice locations. The tip to fishing Western Port Bay is to fish 1-2 hours either side of the high or low tide.

Port Phillip Bay produces some wonderful fishing over the summer period. Snapper, King George Whiting, Flathead, Gummy Shark and Squid are very regular catches. Places worth a go are Mornington ( Snapper, King George Whiting and Squid), Dromana (Flathead, Whiting, Squid), Rye (Whiting, Gummy Sharks), Carrum (Snapper) and Portsea (Salmon and Whiting). For the Pier fishos out there try Mornington Pier (Squid, Salmon, Snapper, Garfish, Whiting) Frankston Pier (Squid, Garfish), Dromana Pier (Flathead, Salmon, Garfish), Sorrento Pier (Squid, Salmon, Whiting, leather Jackets) and Portsea Pier (Squid, Whiting and Salmon).The tip to fishing Port Phillip Bay is to try and fish tide changes that coincide with sun rise or Sun set with fresh baits and burley.

In Bass Straight anglers can expect to catch Mako, Blue, Thrasher and Gummy Sharks, Squid, Flathead and Barracouta. While the table fish (Flathead, and Gummy Sharks) are more common in 30-40 meters of water. When fishing for Sharks don't use baits that are huge, the biggest bait I ever use is no longer than 25cm. Please note that if you plan to chase these beasties make sure that you, your boat, your crew and your gear are up to it. Remember Sharks feel with their teeth. Sharks should only be taken if you plan to eat them. Sharks over 100kg have the chance of having a high mercury content so catch and release is the best method. One Mako of 20-40kg is more than enough Flake for my family for 12 months.

Marcus Iles with a nice gummy shark

Tight Lines and Calm Seas,

Paul

www.trackairadventures.com -Track Air Adventures
www.fishingmornington.com - Mornington Boat Hire, Bait and Tackle
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Mobile: 0417 551 373

See previous Pingiaro report here.