Hook that ‘fish of a lifetime’

A total of 16 changes were announced last Friday, affecting bag and size limits, and gear for both saltwater and freshwater fishers across the State.

The change in regulations could lead to more recreational fishers hooking that “fish of a lifetime”,

according to Inland Waterways Rejuvenation Association president Matt Hansen, Dubbo.

“It’s great to hear some changes have been made – it can only be good for the fish populations.”

More than 30,000 comments and 5440 submissions were received following the release of a discussion paper by the State government in May.

Of the 16 changes, six include minor adjustments which will lead to big reductions in red tape and streamline fishing rules.

Consultation undertaken by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) showed there was strong support to implement new bag and size limits.

A catch and release requirement has been introduced for Murray Cod caught at more than 80 centimetres, while the current minimum size limit of 60cm remains.

Spawning closure for Australian Bass and Estuary Perch has been extended to four months to protect early migrating Bass, however catch and releases of both species will still be permitted during the closed season.

The number of witches hats, hoop nets and lift nets has been reduced from five to four while the possession limit of crab traps has been increased from a single trap to two in saltwater.

Recreational nets and traps now require markings to specify the trap type, fisher’s initial and surname, year of birth and postcode for easy identification.

Fishers will now be permitted to use five hoop nets to catch yabbies in Lake Lyell, Lake Wallace and Googong Dam where they were previously only allowed to be used in Lake Eucumbene and Lake Jindabyne.

The changes also include a reduced bag limit from 20 to 10 fish for Flathead species (excluding Dusky Flathead), Bream, Tarwhine, Tailor, Blue Swimmer Crab, Trevally and Luderick.

Mr Hansen said the rule that would have the most effect on the Central West region was the Murray Cod catch and release rule.

“The fish that are over 80cm have bigger egg counts so more capacity to breed,” he said.

“The Murray Cod are so rare too, they’re a gem to catch.”

Mr Hansen said fishing was a popular sport across the country.

“Recreational fishing is the most widely supported sport in the country, where people from as young as two to 102 years old can enjoy it.”

In conjunction with a locally funded re-snagging project, Mr Hansen said the Murray Cod population could only improve in Central West river systems.

“We’re putting more trees and snags in the river to house these fish so everybody can enjoy them,” he said.

“We’ve raised the money locally through huge community efforts to implement this project so everybody is keen to help the cause.

“Fishing around Dubbo at the moment is awesome so we want to keep it that way.”

The re-snagging work was completed in the Macquarie River between Wellington and Dubbo.

“This is great news for fish and good news for fishers too as 90 per cent of cod are caught within a metre of a snag.”

This was also great news for the community.

“It keeps a clean and healthy eco-system cycling – the better the rivers look, the better the region looks I think.”

Not only do recreational fishers have a passion for the aquatic system, the community has also shown great support in rejuvenating waterways according to NSW DPI regional officer Charlotte Jenkins, Wollongbar.

Following a fish habitat forum, held in Dubbo, Mrs Jenkins said there was great discussion by both fishers and non-fishers about making the environment better.

“We had people from as far as the South Coast, so not just locals attended,” she said.

“We spoke about issues affecting waterways and the issues that came up were thermal pollution where cold water is released from dams, irrigation uptakes, general fish passage barriers and removal of habitat.”

Mrs Jenkins said participants had shown enthusiasm during the two-day forum held last month, particularly in wanting to work with farmers on improving river banks – not only for the fish but to improve water quality as well.

“We had a really enthusiastic response – people were bubbling with ideas with what they could do in their local areas, along their local river banks and in their favourite fishing spots.”

While the changes to fishing legislation had not been announced prior to the forum, the general fishing consensus around the changes were said to be positive.

WITH changes to recreational fishing legislation kicking off in November, NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) fisheries officers have sent a strong warning to those using illegal fishing gear, after three men were caught using a large number of set lines on the Gwydir River last week.

The men were discovered during a fisheries patrol near Gravesend, according to NSW DPI acting director of fisheries compliance Tony Andrews, Ourimbah.

“It was during a mid-week patrol of the Gwydir River when numerous illegal set lines were found where the river flows through a private property,” he said.

Three Murray Cod were seized, along with 93 set lines with a total of 139 hooks attached.

Mr Andrews said the three men would face court for a number of offences including using more than two lines, leaving lines unattended, possess prohibited sized fish, possess illegal fishing gear and possess fish illegally taken.

Even with the announcement of new fishing legislation to come into place, Mr Andrews said the fishers were still participating in illegal activity.

“Anglers are only entitled to use two fishing lines per person in NSW inland waters,” he said.

“Anybody using these lines must keep them in their sight and the lines must be within 50 metres of each other.”

Inland Waterways Rejuvenation Association president Matt Hansen Dubbo, said most people never got the chance to catch a Murray Cod.

“Most people won’t ever get a chance to catch a Murray Cod, especially over what we call that magical metre mark.”

Mr Hansen said recreational fishing was for enjoyment and not to be taken advantage of.

“We need to look after our fish and waterways and make sure we do the right thing by both the law and fellow fishermen.”