Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance
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February Newsletter

2/19/2014

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GREAT NEWS FOR ANGLERS!
 
The new Proserpine boat ramp will officially be open to the public on the 15th March 2014.
 
From photos  I have seen it looks like a mini Victor Creek (Seaforth) boat ramp – two lanes complete with floating platform.
 
Acknowledgement  for this  brilliant infrastructure must go to Fred Baxter ( now deceased) and Lindsay Dobe, who campaigned  for more than 15 years to have the out of date, dangerous  old boat ramp  replaced.
 
Jan Jarratt the former Member of Whitsunday  was instrumental in securing funding for this project. We pay tribute to the LNP government for delivering  this most important  public infrastructure. This boat ramp will inject millions of indirect income into the Proserpine/Whitsunday region.
 
All our energies will now be directed into the construction of a new boat ramp at St. Helens. The existing facility is at least ten years past its used by date.
In 2014 the public should not need local knowledge to use a public boat ramp anywhere in Queensland.
 
We also have grave concerns that Dunrock is on the State Government’s  radar  for a priority  ramp upgrade. The locals don’t want it, MRFA don’t want it, and as far as we are concerned an upgrade of that ramp before St.Helens is a disgraceful waste of tax payer monies.
 
BLACK MARKETERS PUT ON NOTICE BY FISHERIES QUEENSLAND
 
Last week Fisheries Queensland issued a media release seeking public  intelligence  in an endeavour to stamp out black marketing of mud crabs and fish products.
 
A spokesperson appealed to the public for up to date information and  further added  that if sufficient detail is provided an investigation  MAY  be undertaken.
 
Informants are required to provide the following information:
 
*date, time and location of activity.
 
 
 
 
 
*record vehicle registration numbers/and description of vehicle.
 
*record boat registration number and description of vessel
 
*give details of the persons or people involved if they are known.
 
*give accurate and timely description of activity.
 
* Phone the local boating and fisheries office ( Mackay  07  670634  )  or phone the Fishwatch  hotline which is  1800 017 116  ( please log this in your phone )
 
*If possible take photos or a video.
 
Callers can be anonymous, but they prefer you give your contact details for feedback
 
The spokesperson said  stamping out black marketing will  protect our fish stocks for this generation and the next. 
 
Footnote :
 
I have lost count of the amount of times MRFA  ( and when we operated as Sunfish Mackay ) made representations to senior  fisheries personnel  and   ministers providing names of habitual black marketers  in our region. All to no avail.
 
Stamping out the black marketing of crabs and fish is an almighty task. We  know of at least four or five people within our region who certainly fit the description of black marketers. Identifying them, catching  and prosecuting them  are  three  different things. One way to put them out of business overnight is to  name and shame them as fish thieves, confiscate their boat and vehicle and prosecute the buyer as aiding and abetting this  illegal activity.
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January Newsletter

2/19/2014

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Dear Members,

Welcome to 2014. Here’s hoping all members enjoy good heath and the fish are kind and more plentiful this year.
 
DATE CLAIMER!
 
 SUNDAY 16th March 2014.
 
Members of the community are welcome to attend our annual “free to the community’ Family Fishing Day at Shoal Point commencing about 9 am.
 
This blue ribbon angler education program is sponsored by Tackle World, Shakespeare Street. Attendees are requested to bring their own bait.  If you need to borrow a fishing rod for the day please phone Glenn Fahy on 49 550665.
 
Please  ensure that all children and adults are wearing sun smart clothing, bring your own water and  sun screen lotion.
 
 A  complementary  sausage sizzle and random prize draw will be conducted at lunch time.
 
We reserve the right to postpone the event if the weather is unfavorable – i.e. extensive rain, or blowing in excess of 15 knots.
 
MEMBERSHIP
 
Numbers are ticking along nicely with 18 new financial members in December.
 
 
LIGHTING FOR VICTOR CREEK BOAT RAMP  SEAFORTH.
 
The Seaforth Progress Association has lodged an application to the Mackay Regional Council for the installation of a light to ‘shed light’ on the boat ramp and pontoon at the Seaforth Boat Ramp.   Apart from making the application, the nonprofit group is funding the project at an estimated cost of $15,000.
 
On behalf of all anglers we thank the  Seaforth Progress Association for it’s generous gesture in the interests of the fishing fraternity. One only hopes that it does not suffer the  same fate as the light at Freshwater Point where two lights and solar panels have been stolen thus adding another layer of costs to the Mackay Regional Council rate payers.
 
 
NET FREE ZONE DEVELOPMENTS
 
On the 20th of December 2013, Jason Costigan, the Member for Whitsunday phoned Lance Murray and said he would arrange a meeting in the new year to discuss our proposal. We will keep members and supporters in the loop.
 
RECREATIONAL FISHERS N.S.W.  Expenditure Report 2012-2013. 
 
Anglers spend a small fortune in the pursuit  of their passion/hobby / past time. The latest economic survey  conducted by the University of Wollongong  called N.S.W. Recreational Fisher Survey, released in November last year illustrates the following.
 
2012- 773.000 adult anglers. ( similar angler numbers per Qld survey)
 
Gross expenditure  $3.42 BILLION  dollars of economic output.
 
 
$186.1 million dollars  by VISITOR ANGLERS.
 
$1.625 BILLION  spent on travel/tackle/boat related items.
 
Average daily expenditure per angler $154.
 
Annual expenditure per angler  $768.15.
 
DIRECT EMPLOYMENT  14,254.
 
The complete expenditure document is available. Just give us a call and we will email you an E copy.
 
BOAT RAMP NEWS
 
Lance Murray held an information meeting with the engineering department of the Mackay Regional Council on Friday  17th January.
 
Capital works are scheduled for Murray Creek. Half the car park will be ‘formalized’   (hard stand parking )  before the end of  June this year, and the project completed subject to the availability of funding  14/15.
 
A concrete ‘overlay’ will be installed at the Grasstree Beach boat ramp to extend its’ life expectancy.
 
A new boat ramp at St. Helens (Carpet  Snake Point)  remains councils #1 priority, however it is unlikely that  state funding will be available until 16/17.
 
MONTHLY MEETINGS – all are invited.
 
All members are welcome to attend our monthly meetings which are held at the Mackay Conservation Group office complex at 156 Wood Street (Shakespeare Street end ) commencing at 7 pm sharp on the 3rd Wednesday of each month – December in recess. 
 
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