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July Newsletter

7/16/2013

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Mackay Recreational Fishing Alliance- July Newsletter



General Report- Seaforth- St.  Helens Net Free Proposal Campaign

We are encouraged by the feedback from  proponents  of similar net free zones in   Trinity Inlet - Cairns, Kepple Bay, Hervey Bay,  and  Weipa, all  are on our email data base. The spot light is truly on Mackay and we receive daily encouragement from the above locations, and there are whispers  that our campaign has been discussed at length  by the big guns in Canberra,  we are privy to confidential information  that will come to light hopefully before the federal election.

On the local scene, we attended the two day Tinny and Tackle Show at the Mackay Marina, and the Seaforth Fishing Classic, it was bloody hard word, but we were rewarded for effort. We are under the pump by local advocates to extend our net free boundaries from Cape to Cape – Cape Hillsborough  to Cape Repulse, this would mean in effect  that the O’Connell  River, The Thompsons, Repulse Creek and others would also be net free- If this area was declared a net free zone, there is no doubt that  such a proposal would attract international tourists.

The door is open for residents at Proserpine, The Whitsunday’s , and  Midge Point  to come on board, without their support Cape to Cape is but a dream, having said that, if we are able to secure Seaforth – St.  Helens, it will be  far  too late to include the other locations – it’s now or never !


News

Net Free Zone Petition Success

Our Net Free Zone petition is slowly growing thanks to your support. Currently we have over 380 signatures after just a few weeks of doing stalls and events. Thanks for your support!

Increased Membership Makes Us Stronger

Recently our membership has grown by over 200 new people since we started the Net Free Zone campaign. This means that when we go to meet with politicians to improve recreational fishing in Mackay we are going to get heard!

Views on Dredging Fishers Survey

Community group Communities Protecting our Region (www.dudgeonpoint.org) are doing a survey to find out what concerns fishers have about the impacts of dredging.  Please click here to fill out the survey and make sure your views are heard! Recently GRMPA revealed research showing how dredging impacts may be much worse than scientists originally thought- read more here!http://subseaworldnews.com/2013/06/04/gbrmpa-new-details-on-seabed-dredging-australia/

We Stand for Recreational Fishers Only!

Past newsletters have created some confusion because at the bottom of the email there was small italicised writing that mentioned the Mackay Conservation Group. This was only because one of our volunteers is also a volunteer at the conservation group and was using the same email server. We now have our own email system. We are not linked to the MCG and reject any accusations that we are. MCG provide us with a free and accessible meeting space that we are grateful for.

Events

Annual General Meeting Wednesday 21st of August

Our Annual General Meeting ( election of office bearers)  is scheduled  for Wednesday  21st. August 2013, all positions will be declared vacant; if you are able to assist or wish to nominate any person please attend the meeting or seek a  proxy vote form from our secretary Margaret Hope   49 550660

MRFA Committee Meetings

The MRFA committee meets once per month on the 3rd Wednesday at 156 Wood St Mackay, 7pm sharp. Our next meeting will be today, Wednesday the 17th. If you want to be involved in the work and decision making of MRFA this is the place for it!

You are welcome to come along and help support recreational fishers!!!

Pioneer River Kids Only Fishing Competition

Bring your kids along to the River St Boat Ramp on Sunday the 4th of August for a great day out, and why not when there are prizes worth in excess of $4000 up for grabs.

Proudly sponsored by  Neil and Helen Elworthy, proprietors of Tackle World Mackay , and co –ordinated  by Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance. Inc.

More information can be obtained by phoning Glenn Fahy  07 49 550665


Bob Irwin Speaking Event in Mackay

Come and hear why our Reef is too great to lose. Life long animal protector Bob Irwin invites you to join him for a special event to hear why the greatest reef on earth needs our help. Places are limited so RSVP today. All welcome.

RSVP by clicking here! http://www.dudgeonpoint.org/bob_irwin_in_mackay

WHEN: August 07, 2013 at 6:30pm - 8:30pm

WHERE: Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre, Alfred Street, Mackay


Interesting Information


Common Definitions Across Fisheries Management Needed
FISH swim between States and Commonwealth waters daily but Australia still lacks a national standard that would allow better management of the resource for both commercial and recreational purposed and ecosystem health.

Dr Trevor Ward who wrote the marine section of the 2011 Australian State of the Environment Report said without a standard there would be no integrated approach to the management of the precious national resource.

He said there was an overwhelming need to increase the stock of all fish species, a move that would enable both the commercial and recreational sectors to increase catches. Dr Ward argues that ultimately only closed marine areas would allow that to occur.

Ideally stocks should be maintained at 75% of their original biomass but Dr Ward said a figure of between 40-50% would be a worthwhile initial target.

Dr Ward was commenting after the release of data that shows the commercial catch of tailor on the Cooloola-Fraser coast has fallen substantially in the past decade.

He said a huge problem was that Australia had no common language around fish management and five or six different ways of reporting sustainability.

The Queensland Government last week said the number of sustainable fish species in Queensland had risen from 28 to 31 with only one of 75, snapper, considered unsustainable with the rest been "uncertain" or "undefined".

Dr Ward said the parameters used by fisheries’ managers across Australia to define sustainability were ecologically very low and in many cases represented as little as 25% of what total numbers would be if no fishing occurred.

At those level stocks had only limited resilience to the impacts of climate change, pests, fishing, chemical run off and seasonal weather variations.

"Ecologists argue that sustainable fishing should maintain 75% of the unfished biomass,’’ he said.

"The irony is that if it was at 75% - and it would take a big leap to get there – catches could be doubled from what they are now. It would provide security and certainty."

Dr Ward said ultimately closing areas in the right places was the only way forward that would benefit the commercial and recreational sectors.

Globally the approach had proved infinitely move successful than bag and size limits which did not control the total catch.

"The truth is that in smart fishing systems commercial fishermen make more money when closed areas are put where they are needed."

He said the fishing industry argument was simply wrong that fisheries could only be properly managed when they had total access.



1 Comment

Kids Only Fishing Competition

7/9/2013

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MEDIA RELEASE


There is a buzz of excitement in the air with the forthcoming Kids Only Fishing Competition in the Pioneer River on Sunday the 4th of August, and why not when there are prizes worth in excess of $4000 up for grabs.

Proudly sponsored by  Neil and Helen Elworthy, proprietors of Tackle World Mackay , and co –ordinated  by Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance. Inc.  This is the fourth event hosted in partnership.

 Despite unfavourable weather last year over 250 children participated.

Event co-coordinator Glenn Fahy said sponsoring this event is the Elworthy’s way of saying thanks to the anglers of Mackay for making their business one of the best in Queensland, and the owners of Tackle World Mackay  continue to invest in junior fishing activities. The partnership also host the annual take a Kid Fishing Day at Shoal Point.

The rules of this fishing competition are simple, unlike typical adult fishing competitions , we have determined that all winners are selected on the basis of secret lengths.  That way the biggest  and most fish are unlikely to  scoop off all the prizes on offer,  giving all the kids equal and fair opportunity to be  a  winner on the day.

Entry is free, but is conditional on prior registration at Tackle World Shakespeare Street Mackay. Entry forms MUST be signed by a parent or guardian. Each child will be issued with a numerical wrist band which must be worn at the measure in station near the  River Street Boat Ramp no later than 2.30 pm.  Prizes will be distributed at 3 pm . All prize winners must be in attendance to claim their prize.

Nominations close at the end of business on Saturday 3rd of August.

More information can be obtained by phoning Glenn Fahy  07 49 550665.


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