RecFish SA E-News - Happy New Year!

Hello ,

Welcome to the RecFish SA E-news, New Year 2016 Edition! RecFish SA wish you a Happy New Year as we take a look at the busy month of December and look forward to an exciting 2016 ahead!

This issue includes;

• Murray Cod Stocking in SA to begin in early 2016
• Have your say on a new Artificial Reef for SA
• SA 5 yearly Recreational Fishing Survey Results
• SA Game Fishers contribute to knowledge of iconic species
• RecFish SA 2015 AGM & Board
• GSV Commercial Blue Crab Trial

RecFish SA is your community organisation, so please don't hesitate to contact us with any issue you feel needs attention or if we can be of assistance. Email oa@recfishsa.com.au

It's Official; Murray Cod to be stocked in SA during early 2016

Just two days before Christmas, Acting Fisheries Minister Ian Hunter announced that 100,000 Murray Cod fingerlings would be stocked into the SA section of the Murray River in early 2016. This news has been warmly welcomed by the River fishing community.

The Minster said “This stock enhancement trial is an important step in ensuring we have a healthy population and sustainable recreational fishery. By increasing the population we are generating fishing and tourism opportunities for our river communities. Many South Australian and interstate visitors fish in the River Murray and it’s estimated about $150 million is pumped into our visitor economy each year as a direct result.”

RecFish SA has been pushing for stocking to assist in recovering SA populations of Murray Cod. Riverland local and RecFish SA Board member Peter Teakle has been involved in moves to see stocking introduced in SA for many years. Since the announcement in 2014 that the SA Government was investigating the feasibility of stocking to help recover cod populations, RecFish SA have been working hard behind the scenes to keep the pressure on decision-makers and to demonstrate community support for the concept.

Member organisation the Lower Murray Lure Fishing Club, as well as the Renmark Fishing Club, have been instrumental in helping SARDI collect data to establish a baseline for the recreational Cod fishery and have demonstrated their commitment to being part of the solution to improve Murray Cod fishing in SA. RecFish SA sincerely thanks all members and supporters who have given selflessly of their time for this great cause. We look forward to continuing to work together now that stocking has been given a green light for the first time in SA!

While the announcement of the initial stocking of 100,000 fish did not include details of an ongoing program, RecFish SA are committed to developing a long term sustainable funding model for stocking of Murray Cod. We will be meeting with SA Fisheries early in the new year to discuss this further. RecFish SA Executive Director, David Ciaravolo said "One-hundred-thousand fish is a positive start and we look forward to working with government and the community to help ensure a sustainable stocking program and a bright future for Murray Cod in South Australia.”

A public meeting has been scheduled by PIRSA for January 20 at the Renmark Hotel. Fishers are encouraged to attend to find out the latest news.

The 2016 Murray Cod Catch and Release Open season began on January 1. You can see the full PIRSA Media release announcing the new season here.

In 2015, there were some issues raised around best practice handling of Murray Cod. RecFish SA have been consulting with Cod fishers and have met with PIRSA Operations. In the final week of 2015, RecFish SA wrote to PIRSA reaffirming our commitment to work on an agreed set of safe and practical, best practice Murray Cod handling guidelines.

Have Your Say!

Where do you want SA's new Artificial Reef to be built?

After years of campaigning, South Australia will be getting a new reef in the Gulf St Vincent. Habitat enhancement is built into the design of the reef and it is hoped that this may be the first of a number of similar projects in the future. With the community expecting a great new fishing location, and much being made of the role of habitat restoration and enhancement for improving fisheries, a lot is riding on the success of this project. The reef has been funded to the tune of $600,000 to benefit recreational fishing in SA and is expected to be constructed this year.

The new reef will involve a number of substrate types which may include Reef Balls or other concrete structures, limestone and shell. It will be laid in rows creating a ridge formation and material "seeded" with native oyster spat and adult oysters will be attached to create a "living reef", which is expected to grow over time (to learn more about SA's lost oyster reefs click here). As well as providing an example of long term habitat benefits, the reef structure will provide a brand new fishing location in the short term.

There are 3 broad locations short-listed:

• Southern Metropolitan Adelaide
• Between Ardrossan & Stansbury
• West - Southwest of Pt Wakefield

The recreational fishing community is being invited to have their say about where they would like the reef to be built. Click here to tell SA Fisheries where you want the reef.

Hurry, public consultation on the reef location closes on January 8, 2016.

Latest SA Recreational Fishing Survey Results Released

The 5-yearly SA Recreational Fishing Survey was released by SA Fisheries Minister Leon Bignell on December 12 at West Beach. The 12 month survey period ran from December 2013, through to November 2014 and aims to provide estimates of recreational fishing participation rates, as well as, recreational catch and effort for key species.

It is pleasing to see a measured increase in recreational fishing participation since the last survey in 07/08. It is estimated that 277,000 SA residents went fishing during 2013, with participation growth seen especially among young fishers aged 5-14, including girls. Hopefully this cohort will continue to be fishing when the next survey is released in 5 years time!

King George whiting, Blue Crabs and Australian Herring (Tommie Roughs) were the most commonly taken fish species. It should be noted that where the species are caught regularly, the survey results are more reliable, whereas for lesser caught species like Yellowtail Kingfish or Samson fish, additional, targeted sampling may be required to gain a clearer understanding. 

The survey report is available for download at the PIRSA webpage, here.

We are interested in your thoughts and insights on the survey results, tell us what you think by emailing oa@recfishsa.com.au

SA Game Fishers tagged recaptures provide insight into iconic species

Recent recapture certificates from fish tagged by the Adelaide Game Fishing Club have provided interesting insights on Yellowtail Kingfish movements in South Australian waters. The club says the recaptures demonstrate that Port Augusta, Greenly Island and Coffin Bay Kingfish are part of an interconnected population.

One 15kg fish caught at Pt Augusta in 2013, was recaptured 22 months later in Coffin Bay having put on 5 kilograms. Another, fish tagged in February of 2014 was recaptured 195 kilometers away at Pt Augusta in October 2015, the fish had grown from 14 to 20 kilograms. The club says that while it is great to see that Kingfish which are handled well, have been demonstrated to survive, the high recapture rate of Kingfish in SA does highlight the need for responsible angling practices, to ensure long-term sustainability.

The Adelaide Game Fishing Club's mission statement is "the club actively supports and encourages responsible, ethical and sustainable fishing practices through an emphasis on tag and release". You can find out more about this vibrant and inclusive club on their webpage here.

RecFish SA would like to thank the SAGFA and the Adelaide Game Fishing Club for sharing this news with the fishing community and for their commitment to furthering knowledge of fish movements and sustainable fishing in SA.

(From left to right; Danny Simpson, Ian Janzow, Paul Davies & Dr Michael Sierp)

RecFish SA AGM & Board Directors

The RecFish SA Annual General Meeting was held on November 25th, 2015. The event was well attended by Organisation representatives and Individual Financial members, as well as guests from the South Australian Government and distinguished fisheries expert Professor Rob Lewis. Members heard reports recapping a busy and successful year. This included an update on RecFish SA's expanding community engagement and details of the opportunities and challenges that lay ahead in 2016. Following official business, Dr Heidi Alleway delivered an engaging presentation on South Australia's Lost Shellfish Reefs.

The RecFish SA Board continues to grow in numbers, expertise and diverse skill sets. This places RecFish SA in a good position to continue to improve the services provided to the South Australian recreational fishing community. At the AGM, elections were held for positions on the Board with Individual Financial Members Danny Simpson and Ian Janzow being elected. Paul Davies has stepped up to a vacancy in the category of Organisation Members and Dr Micheal Sierp has been confirmed by the Board as an Appointed Director.

Danny Simpson was formerly the Manager of Recreational Fisheries for the South Australian Government, a role he fulfilled for 5 years. He has over 25 years of experience as a professional Natural Resources Manager with a particular skill base in aquatic ecology, wetlands and environmental flow management, having worked for both the government and the private sector. Currently the Director of a private consultancy, Danny has an in-depth understanding of the fisheries issues relevant to South Australia and maintains very strong networks with the regional recreational fishing community. Danny will now continue on the Board having stepped in to fill a casual vacancy in 2015.

Ian Janzow was the former Local Advisory Group Chair for Parks 11 and 12 on Yorke Peninsula in the SA MPA process. He worked hard with communities, colleagues and Government to see the program in his parks completed as equitably as was possible. Ian was a founding Member of the Metropolitan Fishers Alliance and was instrumental in establishing the DRFC. Ian's professional career is in the design and construction industry, for the past 30 years this has been in leadership roles on major building and infrastructure projects including commercial and Government enterprise. Ian has previously served on the RecFish SA Executive Committee.

Paul Davies brings extensive NFP board experience to the Board of RecFish SA. Paul is a graduate of the Company Directors Course at the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has served for a number of years on the Board of Parkinson' South Australia and Parkinson' Australia, where in 2014 he was elected National President. Paul's recreational fishing advocacy began as a member of the Kangaroo Island Marine Action Group (KIMAG) where he was responsible for writing submissions to government, DEWNR, the Kangaroo Island Futures Authority and the Select Committee on Marine Parks. Paul is the current DRFC representative to the RecFish SA Council. Paul's professional career is in stockbroking and financial planning.

Dr Michael Sierp has been appointed to the RecFish SA Board. Michael has experience as a senior government biosecurity manager in natural resources, with a focus on maritime and the environment. He is currently the Managing Director of a private Biosecurity consulting company. Michael holds a PhD in aquatic ecology, fisheries, aquaculture and limnology. He has experience chairing a number of government committees. Michael has been a member of the RecFish SA Technical Assistance Working group for almost a decade, volunteering his expertise and advice for the benefit of the recreational fishing community.

RecFish SA are currently in the process of seeking an Independent Chairperson. The candidate must have governance experience, preferably in the not-for-profit / non-government or Natural Resource sector. Please direct any inquiries to oa@recfishsa.com.au

GSV Commercial Blue Crab December-January Trial

On December 10, 2015 PIRSA Fisheries wrote to RecFish SA advising of a proposal for Temporary Trial management arrangements to be implemented in the Gulf St Vincent (GSV) Commercial Blue Crab Fishery. This came following a request from the SA Blue Crab Pot Fishers Association (SABCPFA), to  assess and access the "pre-Christmas market".

The Commercial GSV Blue Crab Fishery is managed with a Total Allowable Commercial Catch (this means that the total weight of crabs that can be caught in a season is set in advance and if/once reached, fishing must stop). In the GSV the commercial season usually also includes a closure from November 1 to Jan 15, this closure does not apply to recreational crabbing. As reported in the last E-news, in recent years, the SABCPFA (along with PIRSA) has agreed to a commercial closure along the metropolitan coastline, as well as within two nautical miles of the Ardrossan, Black Point, Port Vincent and Stansbury boat ramps from January 16 to February 28.

The Trial began on December 15, 2015 and is scheduled to run until Jan 15, after which the season opens. During the Trial, the Metropolitan commercial closure area is in place, as is an expanded commercial closure two nautical miles from shore from St Kilda to Stansbury, with no commercial potting allowed on weekends or public holidays. No more than 10% of a licence holders quota can be taken during this 1 month trial and detailed assessment is expected to follow.

RecFish SA wrote to PIRSA in December asking that the Trial period be shortened, so as to conclude on December 31st. It was our contention that this would reduce the potential for conflict during the most popular recreational fishing time of year. Our proposal has since been rejected, with the Trial expected to continue until January 15. RecFish SA have been assured that an evaluation of the trial will take place before any decision is taken on the future of the existing commercial closure and RecFish SA will be included in the consultation on any proposed changes at that time.

We have been following GSV recreational crab catches through our Council contacts, fishing reports and social media. We would also like to hear from you about your crabbing experiences from mid-December 2015 though until January 15 2016, please email us at oa@recfishsa.com.au with the subject "GSV Crabbing".

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