USFA Survey on observations in the ocean relating to climate change

USFALate last year, USFA sent an email with a link to a USFA members’ survey that they’re doing in collaboration with the CSIRO. This survey is your opportunity to have a say about changes you’ve observed in the ocean, the likely impacts of climate change on how, where and what you spear, and how our historical competition records can or should be shared with scientists and used in fisheries management.

For those of you who have already completed the survey – thanks!

If you haven’t already completed the survey, please take a few minutes to click on the link below and complete it before Wednesday February 13. It’s important that as many of us as possible complete this survey to ensure that our voice is heard.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/USFAsurvey

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Mulloway Submissions for DPI

Guys below is a link where you can read about current views on salvaging the Mulloway fishery and the ability to have your say on the Mulloway. The document mentions to us that they are seriously considering having a bag limit of one over 70cm. That is not on for spearfishers (not me anyway). I personally think 2 over 75cm would be good. Once over 75cm there is a very good chance the fish has spawned at least once.
Anyway great if you could read the views and have a comment, it is informative reading for you and on the bottom of the document there is a link where you can complete an online submission, mark your interest as spearfishing ; )

Frequently-asked-questions-and-options-for-management-changes.doc

Online Submission Form

Good hunting!
Simon Trippe

This Is Your Last Chance To Stop The Lock Up!

 Sorry to have to get all political again here guys, but recreational fishermen are about to get locked out of massive areas of Australian waters. And all this while the federal Government has given the green light to a super trawler so it can plunder our waters! What’s happening here is just plain wrong, and we need to all get together to stop it. Marine reserves should be implemented with proper scientific planning and processes, and that is just not happening. In just a few days on September 10, we’ll be locked out of huge areas of Australian waters unless we stand up and say no. The only way to try and stop this is to take 60 seconds and make a very quick submission through the Keep Australia Fishing website to lodge your protest. People power is the only way to make the politicians take notice here. Please share this link on all your own Facebook pages, and spread the word!

http://www.keepaustraliafishing.com.au/index.php/take-action/campaigns/campaign-1-don-t-lock-us-out

Simon Trippe

 

An update 11th Sept 2012: Environment Minister Tony Burke accused of trashing marine science after slapping a ban on super trawler Abel Tasman

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/business/labor-to-ban-super-trawler-abel-tasman-from-australian-waters/story-e6frfm1i-1226471683034#ixzz268tHatxT

Blue Groper Fishing BAN!

Fishing BAN on Blue Groper Set to continue!
In 2011, Fisheries Victoria implemented a 12 month protection for Eastern Blue Groper and Western Blue Groper from all forms of fishing. The reasons given for this protection are speculative, without any scientific basis, and set a dangerous precedence for long-term access to recreational fishing species.

To lodge your objections PLEASE click this link to complete our prepared Blue Groper Submission

Grey Nurse Shark Public Consultation Commences

Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson today announced the commencement of public consultation on future management arrangements for the protection of grey nurse sharks in NSW, releasing a discussion paper.

Make your Submission here: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/species-protection/conservation/what-current/critically-endangered-species/grey-nurse-shark/gns-review Continue reading Grey Nurse Shark Public Consultation Commences

Black Cod is this the next Grey Nurse Shark?

Common name: Black Cod

Scientific name: Epinephelus daemelii

Size: Max. length 2m

Habitat: Adult black cod are usually found in caves, gutters and beneath bommies on rocky reefs. They are territorial and often occupy a particular cave for life. Small juveniles are often found in coastal rock pools, and larger juveniles around rocky shores in estuaries.

Diet: Black cod are opportunistic carnivores, eating mainly other fish and crustaceans.

Appearance: They can change from one colour pattern to another in just a few seconds. They are usually black in estuaries and banded around clear water reefs. Black cod are apparently slow growing. Smaller fish are mostly females, but they generally change sex to become males at around 100-110 cm in length.

Guys, Please report any Black Cod sightings to Mel Brown. [email protected]

Continue reading Black Cod is this the next Grey Nurse Shark?