Sunfish Fraser Coast

• Rec fishers reminded about crab rules

Did you know that lifting another person's crab pot can attract a $1000 on-the-spot fine? Do you also know the correct way to label your crab pots? If you answered no to these questions, then the New Year could be an ideal time for you to brush up on crabbing rules.

Download the PDF Here.

• NOTICE OF MEETING

THE JANUARY MEETING OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WILL TAKE PLACE COMMENCING AT 7PM A THE HERVEY BAY RSL CLUB ON THE 25TH JANUARY

• Don’t net a fine: use the right fishing gear

While holidays and weekends provide a great time to cast a net for some bait and prawns, recreational fishers are reminded to check their nets to ensure they comply with the rules.

Download the PDF Here.

• Jennys to stay off the menu in Queensland

Female mud crabs will remain off-limit in Queensland following passionate feedback from fishers all over the state, Fisheries Minster Craig Wallace announced today.

Mr Wallace said 439 Queenslanders had their say on the proposal for a limited take of 'Jennys' by recreational fishers.

"Queenslanders have spoken on the question of whether we should allow a restricted take of female mud crabs for recreational fishers and the answer is no," Mr Wallace said.

"439 Queenslanders called, emailed or wrote to me about Jenny mud crabs, with the final tally 287 against and 152 for changing the rules.

"The clear message from Queensland fishers is that the current system of regulation for mud crabs works well, so it will remain.

"That means there will be no Jennys on Queenslanders' plates for Christmas lunch this year or at any other time.

"The feeling from Queenslanders is that any take of female mud crabs would harm our breeding stocks and harm long-term sustainability.

"Queensland is well-known for the quality of its mud crabs, so I want to ensure the community is comfortable about the way they are managed.

"It has been illegal to take female mud crabs in Queensland for over 100 years and following the public feedback, we won't be changing the law.

"Fishers are still able to catch male mud crabs larger than 15 cm, with a bag limit of 10.

"I would like to thank every Queenslander who contributed to the discussion on the important issue of mud crab sustainability."

A take by commercial fishers was not under consideration.

• Bait Netting Regulation Changes - SUNFISH RESPONSE

Mr. John Crone OAM, Chairman of Sunfish Qld. said that the announcement to stop the take of bream, whiting and flathead in commercial nets in marine park conservation zones (yellow areas) is a sensible move, but does not go far enough. The announcement regarding the Moreton Bay Marine Park almost three years ago that all forms of commercial net fishing would be stopped in the Park yellow zones, providing for enhanced recreational fishing experiences was very good news for the recreational fishing sector as it was seen as an important offset for the loss of recreational fishing areas due to the 16% green zone declaration.

Download the PDF Here.

• Bait Netting Regulation Changes

Download the PDF Here.

• The River Heads Barra and Salmon Catch and Release Classic

The 2012 River Heads Barra & Salmon Classic is shaping up to be a great event. It will be held on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th of Feburary with registration on the Friday evening from 4:00pm at the River Heads Community Hall.....The bar will be open and meals available. You will also get your chance to register on saturday morning between 5:00am and 8:00am at the River Heads boat ramp. (Late Registrations can be organised by calling 0428 405 406)

The event is a catch, photograph and release competition therefore you will need a digital camera and a brag mat or measuring sticker to record you captures. Every entrant will receive a ID card with your competitors number on it, this will need to be included in your photos. Also this card is handed back in when you've had enough fishing and will become your entry into the lucky draw for $500.00 CASH!

Plenty of other great prizes are up for grabs including a $450.00 spin oufit to the overall winner of the competition!!!

Download the PDF Here. Or Visit the website.

• Maritime Safety Queensland Notices to Mariners

Carlo Creek - Tin Can Bay - Re-establishment of West Cardinal Beacon

Download the PDF Here.

• Last Chance to Have your say: female mud crab rules

Recreational fishers have the opportunity to have their say on Queensland's fisheries regulations.

In particular, Fisheries Minister Craig Wallace would like to know what you think about a limited take of large female mud crabs ('Jennys') for recreational fishing.

Would you support the taking of a limited number of female mud crabs, which could be for example, one 'Jenny' (larger than 16 cm) per boat per recreational fishing trip? How you respond is completely up to you.

This is not a formal consultation, just an opportunity for fishers to provide feedback on issues important to them.

In Queensland female mud crabs have been protected for over 100 years and currently male crabs that are less than 15 cm across the carapace are also protected.

A recreational bag limit of 10 male mud crabs applies and a recreational fisher may use four crab pots to take crabs.

Recreational fishers can send in their feedback by emailing callweb@deedi.qld.gov.au by 30 November 2011.

• Sunfish Qld Magazine

In This Issue - Angler Education, Kids Fishing Days, Artificial Reef locations and Branch Reports

Download the PDF Here.

• Sunfish Qld Fishes for Answers on Gladstone

Mr. John Crone OAM, chairman of Sunfish Qld, said that it was about time some realistic answers were forthcoming from all involved in the investigation of the “diseased fish” outbreak in Gladstone Harbour, which has virtually brought recreational and commercial fishing activities to a halt. “Conflicting reports from Government and private organisations are not helping, especially when the common government theme seems to be, ‘We are unable to definitely say what the cause was or how it happened, let alone how to prevent it in the future,’” he said.

Download the PDF Here.

• November Sunfish Meeting

THE NOVEMBER MEETING OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF FRASER COAST SUNFISH WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY 16TH NOVEMBER COMMENCING AT 7PM AT THE RSL CLUB. ALL MEMBERS ARE WELCOME

• Mud Crab Survey

The Government are currently conducting a survey to obtain the views of recreational fishers as to whether or not recreational fishers should be permitted take female mud crabs

Download the PDF Here.

• Sunfish Fraser Coast Submission.

Environmental assessment of the Queensland East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Download the PDF Here.

• MUD CRAB FISHERY NOT SUSTAINABLE UNDER A GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL.

David Bateman AM Deputy Chairman of Sunfish said that he was amazed that the Government would even consider such an irresponsible act as allowing the taking of female mud crabs. In the past few years numerous meetings and a 2 day stakeholder workshop have been held to discuss this matter. Most of the stakeholders present had major concerns if this was to proceed and were not in favor of the proposal. At the workshop recreational fishers throughout the state unanimously rejected the proposal and there was only conditional support from commercial crabbers. To raise it again is just ignoring the wishes of the majority to benefit the short sighted greedy wishes of a few commercially oriented operators. I am surprised that the Government could be so naive as to expect support from the people of Queensland. Download the PDF Here.

• Coral reef fin fish off limits.

Coral reef fin fish will be off limits for two periods this year to reduce fishing pressure during the spawning season. The first closure will be October 24 to 28 and the second from November 22 to 26. Fisheries Queensland manager Dr Brigid Kerrigan said the closures protected fish at an important time in their lifecycle. Download the PDF Here.

• SUNFISH FRASER COAST – CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2011

How time flies – apparently it’s now been two years since I accepted the position of Chairman for the Fraser Coast branch of Sunfish! Download the PDF Here.

• Maryborough pilotage area-

Locality: Great Sandy Strait, north and east of Little Woody Island - Activity: eastern pearl farms Refer to notice: 341 (P) of 2009 Mariners are advised that the eastern pearl farm located in approximate position latitude 25° 18.63' S, longitude 153° 02.0' E has been permanently withdrawn. Please Download the PDF Here.

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