For those who don’t know, Tilapia, the marine  equivalent  to the cane toad have been found in the Gooseponds,  an   eight hectare  - four lagoon   environmental  park  with runs from the western side of the Bruce Highway, on the north side of Mackay  through extensive residential suburbs of North Mackay.
 
The Gooseponds is fed in principal by Jane Creek, empties out into Vines Creek North Mackay and then directly into the Pioneer River on the eastern side of Harbour Road.  These fresh water lagoons are acknowledged as the major barramundi grow out- nursery location attached to the Pioneer River.
 
Early indications are the infestation is the result of persons unknown disposing of their home aquarium fish tank. So far marine biologists have electro fished a handful of tilapia about 100 mm long   and dozens around the   10 - 25 mm mark.
 
Early indications are that the fish are confined to the Gooseponds, but if we get a flood event before complete eradication in a relative short time they could spread from Cape Conway in the  north to Cape Palmerston in the south. If they get into the Goorganga Plains wet lands they could  destroy the barramundi  fishery   of Repulse Bay.
 
There are a number of options for eradication. Poisoning the water has been put up as an option. This would have a catastrophic effect on native fish, turtles and water birds which call the Gooseponds home, apart from that  the stench of about 10 tonne of rotting marine life and disposal  in the midst of a highly sought after residential would cause a public outcry.
 
The next best option is to “bomb” the place with barramundi( biological option ) -  not hundreds but thousands. It is anticipated that nature will take care of itself, with the big fish eating the small fish. If we can eradicate these pests there will be a silver lining in about 18 months, when kids of all ages will be able to go to the Gooseponds and catch barra with relative ease.
 
At this stage, Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance Inc.  in partnership with the Mackay Area Fish Stocking Association have been fundraising to purchase the  hundreds of   300 mm long Barramundi at a cost of $8.00 each. As of 15/6/14 our “Buy a Barra” barometer has reached $7800.00 which is fantastic considering we have been fund raising for just over two weeks.
 
We acknowledge the financial support of the following:
 Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance, Mackay Fish Stocking Association 
Neil and Helen Elworthy, owners of Tackle World Mackay
Bruce Nash, owner Complete Tackle, Harbour Road Mackay
Tim Mulherin M.P. member for Mackay 
Mackay Fishmarket,  River Street Mackay
 
 
 
 
Mackay & District Amateur Fishing Clubs Association.
 
The tilapia eradication program is being administered by Reef Catchments Mackay, who have arranged a top level planning/scheduling and monitoring meeting to be held in Mackay on the 25th of June, at which all the major stakeholders will be in attendance.
 
As one can appreciate, this is a monster problem, and not quite as easy as releasing thousands of barra into the lagoons. Appropriate protocol must be followed. The problem will not be fixed over night.
 
On Friday the 13th of June, Fisheries Queensland  issued a Barra stocking permit to Reef Catchments, so our first major hurdle is behind us.
 
Plans are afoot to put a flotilla of about 100 small tinny boats into the lagoon and remove all the aquatic weeds which provide cover habitat for the juvenile tilapia. If you can assist please contact Lance Murray on 0411 550 684 email lancemurray@msc.net.au  or Keith Day, email contact details, keith.day@crawco.au
 
NET FREE PROPOSAL
 
At our last MRFA  committee meeting it was decided to stop beating ourselves up, and shelve the project until the next state government and local council election.
 
Then out of the blue via email comes a story featured on the front page of the Cairns Post  14/6/14 saying   IT’S TIME TO HOOK INTO FISHING’S $80M.
Cairns fishing  identity Keith Graham,  proprietor  of  Bransford’s Tackle shop   said that the region ( Cairns) is sitting on a potential tourism goldmine and we are not taking advantage of it.
 
He further added, let’s start marketing and promoting Cairns as the recreational fishing tourism hotspot of the Southern hemisphere.
 
Well we have heard these words before,  Mick O’Donnell, from the Seaforth progress association, local anglers  Geoff Walsh and Darrell McLennan  along with a small subcommittee  of MRFA have been advocating this to  our state M.P  for Whitsunday  and Mackay Regional Council councillors  for  well over 18 months all to no avail, this is despite the fact that we have letters of support from Mackay Tourism, Seaforth  Progress Association, Traditional Owners  -Yuiburra ,  Mackay Chamber of Commerce, Caravan Parks Association of Queensland, Mackay & District Amateur  Fishing Clubs Association and the Caravan Park RV and Accommodation association of Australia.
 
The foremost target for Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance Inc.)  is to make Mackay the fishing destination of Queensland.  There is no 2nd prize, Jason.
 
In view of the email about Cairns, we are not going to sit on our bums and watch this once in a lifetime opportunity slip out of our hands and be established in a city which will boast a Casino as one of its main attractions.
 
Anglers can come to Mackay for peace and tranquility, enjoy our natural surroundings and have  the recreational fishing experience of their life !  
 
Like big Kev, we’re excited. ! 
 
 
Queensland Commercial fisher fined  $109.000  - yes, this no typo.
 
Reported in the Fraser Coast Chronicle newspaper 12/6/14.
 
A commercial fisher was fined a total of $109,000 plus court costs after having been found guilty of being in possession of 31 undersize mud crabs, in possession of 200 female mud crab claws, in possession of 371  mud crab halves, and in possession of  three (3) female crabs, he was also convicted of being in possession of 27 undersize fish believed to be for the purpose of baiting crab pots, and stealing from other peoples crab pots.
 
His commercial fishing licence was suspended for 12 months.
  
OBITUARY: as reported in the London Times.
 
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: 
 
Knowing when to come in out of the rain; accidents may happen; If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it; why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn’t always fair; and maybe it was my fault.
 
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
 
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
 
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
 
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
 
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home but the burglar could sue you for assault.
 
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little on her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
 
Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion, his daughters, Responsibility and Integrity and his son, Reason.
 
He is survived by his four stepbrothers; I Know My Rights; I Want It Now; Someone Else Is To Blame and I’m A Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing. 

News for Junior Anglers

The popular  annual Tackle World Mackay – Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance Inc.  Pioneer River Junior Angler fishing competition will be held on Sunday August 24.

Entry is free. Prior registration including parental/guardian approval is required on nomination forms, only obtainable  at Tackle World,  Shakespeare Street Mackay. Forms will be available from 1 August.

This is one competition where every entry is a winner. Every junior angler will win a prize, from  fantastic  rod/reel combos, to lures and  tackle terminal  packages.  Unlike most fishing competitions, the angler who catches the biggest or most fish is unlikely to scoop the major prizes.

This competition is determined by species  secret lengths and is restricted  to fish  caught in the Pioneer River, namely whiting, bream, flathead, queenfish, barra and  trevally.

Coral fin fish, i.e. blueys  coral  trout, stripey bass, and all mackerel species are NOT eligible  for entry. 

Measure In will be at the Pioneer River Boat ramp at 3 pm. 

All children who enter fish into this competition will be issued with a wrist band by Tackle World as proof of registration and this must be presented at the measure in.   The tail of the fish will be snipped as proof of entry.

More information is available from event co-coordinator  Glenn Fahy on 49 550665, or ask any of the friendly staff at Tackle World.

March Newsletter 2014 FAMILY FISHING DAY  16th March 2014.
 
This was another outstanding  ‘free to the public event’. The weather was picture perfect, the seas glassed out, yet only a week earlier we were on cyclone watch. The  Sunday after – rain and wind gusts  to 25 knots .
 
This year we conducted two events, our 15th at Shoal Point where attendance numbers were down (due to  Junior Sports Kick Off Day ) and the first at Midge Point in partnership with the Midge Point fishing and sports club.
 
Congratulations to the management committee of the Midge Point Fishing club.  Thirty seven children registered for the event.
 
While we run around patting ourselves on the back, behind the scenes only a matter of days before the event, there was a 50-50 chance that the Shoal Point event would be cancelled  due to our difficulty in complying with Mackay Regional Council  Application  for Temporary Entertainment Event requirements-namely a doubling in our public liability insurance ( council requirement $20 million dollars ) .  We were able to comply with this at no extra cost to MRFA  with the full cooperation of our insurance underwriters.   We were fortunate to have a member with a current food handling certificate for our sausage sizzle.
 
We are thankful that Council waived the Temporary    Entertainment Event fee of $451.00    and an estimated   $265.00 fee to hold the event   at their Shoal Point park.
 
We must say that our dealings with representatives  of the Mackay Regional Council were courteous  at all times. They went out of their way to  help.
 
There is a message in this for all nonprofit groups. If you have a free sausage sizzle as we did, or use it for raising funds, make sure you are council compliant.
 
We take this opportunity to thank our guests who had static displays at our event: the MackayOffice of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Turtle Watch, the Mackay Area Fish Stocking Association who brought along breeding stock sooty grunter, and Greg Sichter, professional crabber who was run ragged showing people how to handle mud crabs and identify full crabs – 1/2 full or empty.   And special thanks to the Mackay Apex Club for their help with our catering needs.
 
Next year we promise to be well prepared to comply with council  requirements, apart from that hiccup the events  run like a well oiled machine.
 
 
MEMBERSHIP
 
Ticking along nicely thank you, as at the day of print  financial members are  just   four short of 400.
 
NET FREE ZONE NEWS:
 
There was an article in the Sunday Mail 16th of March that stated that members of the Taylor Beach( near Innisfail ) Progress Association  have presented their local MP with a petition containing 700 names for a Net Free Zone at Taylors Beach, identified  as the area just north of Gentle Annie Creek south to Lucinda Point to Mandan Creek, a small breakout creek to the south as they say, the fish and the tourists have gone ! – What’s new about that ?
 
I have been in touch with a representative  of the association and will keep them in the loop with developments up and down the coast with regards to net free zone proposals.
 
And another net free zone proposal is being promulgated at   Cooloola – Noosa.  Committee members include representatives of the Regional Council and the local MP along withrecreational fishers.
 
The Moreton Island  net  free proposal e-petition  was lodged in state parliament on the 4th of March 2014.  The Fisheries Minister said in part,” The Queensland Government will await the outcome of the comprehensive review of fisheries Queensland before making significant policy decisions in relations to fisheries management. “
 
In an email sent around the state; the proponents said that this did not approach the response they were looking for.
 
The Mackay Regional net free zone is ticking along nicely.
 
Not all recreational anglers are apolitical. Confidential emails are circulating amongst groups with net free proposals   about a battle plan, all of which will be revealed to the public when they blow the whistle for the next state election.
 
QUEENSLAND RECREATIONAL FISHERS NETWORK.
 
We are affiliated with QRFN,  their website is  www.qrfn.org/ 
 
QRFN ‘s  position on the introduction of a recreational fishing licence for anglers in Queensland is up there for all to read, along with their position that all mackerels caught in Queensland be line fished  ONLY.
 
This site is about 5% complete and is work in progress; one of the unique features about this website is it is devoid of ads.
 
REVIEW OF FISHERIES QUEENSLAND REGULATIONS ETC.
 
Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance Inc.  welcomes Minister McVeigh’s announcement of a long overdue  review of the current fishing regulations in Queensland.
 
Our Position is:
 
*We call for an independent expert assessment  and advisor
* commercial net endorsements to be halved as per LNP election promise.
*net free areas close to urban areas
*regional management
*mackerel species to be line caught only
*trout – total allowable catch reduced to 600 tonnes.
*crab endorsements to be halved
*trawl latency to be removed.
*VMS  - vessel monitoring system  on all commercial and NET and line boats including dories
 
This fisheries review is a once in a lifetime opportunity to turn a valuable fishery with a dubious future to become an Immensely valuable fishery with a magnificent future .
 
Fish stock   recovery from the excessive stock depletion must be the  government’s No 1 priority.
 
We call upon Minister McVeigh to show exemplary  leadership. Please take this “cot case”  patchwork fisheries department into the twenty first century . If this review is conducted by independent experts and the conclusion transparent, there will be no need  for the state government to be in ‘damage control.’ The changes will be welcome by all stake holders of thefishery.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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.

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. 
 

OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
 
Thanks for taking the time to read our October 2013 newsletter.
 
WARNING TO BOATIES
 
Two boat trailers have been stolen from regional boat ramps last month. On Saturday the 28th of September a member had his 4.3m boat trailer stolen from Constant Creek in the middle of the day. A week later it is reported that a commercial fisher had his trailer stolen from Murray Creek. Anglers may be wise to padlock their trailers to their vehicle.
 
The crab pot fairy is alive and well in Boundary  Creek and Rocky Dam Creek. It’s not a matter of if but when someone is going to be seriously injured getting caught stealing pots but unfortunately there will collateral consequences.
 
MACKAY BOATING AND FISHERIES STAFFING LEVELS 
 
Departmental spin or creative accounting? Fisheries Queensland has amalgamated   Mackay, the Whitsundays and Bowen into one operational region being managed from the Whitsundays.
 
Sarina  commercial crabber Greg  Sichter   recently  received   a  letter from the Queensland  fisheries minister  following his complaint about the theft of his crab pots  saying  in part  staffing  that Mackay Boating and Fisheries Staffing Levels are eight ( 8). 
 
The truth is staffing levels in Mackay are three, which include one district officer, one field officer and one trainee – the same number of staff as when I arrived in Mackay in 1974  when the then population was 28000, now the population is closer to 100 000.
 
If one reads the 74 page plus 2010   State Wide Recreational  Fishing Survey commissioned by the Queensland Government   it says  in the executive summary that over one third of all recreational fishers lived in  the Brisbane region but the participation rate among local residents was highest in the Mackay and Wide Bay- regions where 28% and 26% of the local residents were recreational fishers.
 
Over the years we have made dozens of representations to various ministers/shadow ministers for an increase in staffing levels all to no avail.
 
I  would like to conclude on this subject by saying  that   the  staffing level of Mackay Boating and Fisheries Patrol is a  BLOODY  PUBLIC DISGRACE  !
 
NET FREE PROPOSAL
 
Another of our projects going gang busters.
 
Our support documentation  includes letters of support from the Mackay Chamber of Commerce, Seaforth Progress Association, Mackay Tourism,  the Yuibera  Traditional  Owners and the Mackay Amateur Fishing Club  Association and also from the big guns in the drive tourist  market in Australia, namely the Caravan Parks Association of Queensland  and the   Caravan  RV and Accommodation  Industry of Australia .
 
With these credentials  government agencies, local and state must take our proposal seriously.
 
Once again we wish to reinforce our Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance Inc.  position that any displaced commercial fishers must be financially compensated.
 
Our hard copy petition numbers currently are a tad short of 3000. So far the public and stakeholder support we have received has surpassed our expectation.  Our Intention from here on, is to break down the barriers of resistance  in the White  House , Gordon  Street Mackay and   George Street Brisbane.
 
Chill the champers I can feel a net free zone coming on!
 
ANGLER EDUCATION:  Something to brag  about !
 
Another milestone  was reached last month  when we took our 8000th. student fishing on a  day long school fish excursion as part of our Schoolfish Angler Education program.
 
Glenn Fahy and Mick Connolly our Angler Education co-coordinators and their team of helpers worked with 225 students in   September and the year will wrap up with fishing with another 45 children at Cape Hillsborough in  October.
 
The Schoolfish Angler Education program  was  the brain child of  MRFA  member  Noel Whitehead, and Qld Fisheries officer Brett  Depper, with seed funding from the then DPI,  Noel and Brett ventured to local schools about 15 years ago, and look at what it has become today.  
 
When the dust settles we will be making an appropriate  presentation to the 8000th student and it would be fantastic if Noel and Brett could attend the event along with our long time exclusive Schoolfish sponsors, Greg Camilleri and Brett Griffin of Reef Marine,  Prospect Street Mackay.
 
Incidentally we have excluded the number of children who have participated in our annual family fishing days at Shoal Point or the hundreds of children who have participated in our annual Pioneer River Kids fishing competition, which is sponsored by Tackle World Mackay;
 
We estimate over 5000 children have participated in these two events alone over the years.
 
Junior Angler Education is alive and well whilst we are still around and we express our appreciation to our two major sponsors Tackle World Mackay and Reef Marine  who make this possible.
 
SNIPPETS
 
2015 is going to be a monster year for   Hervey Bay and the  Fraser Coast when it hosts the world’s first $ 1 million dollar fishing competition. This event is being sponsored by  Tourist Fraser Coast, with funding from the Queensland Events Corporation,  our ‘cousins’ Fraser Coast Recreational Fishing Alliance Inc. are partners along with the charter industry and all those involved in recreational fishing on the Fraser Coast. I’m sharpening the hooks, $1 million dollars will lure all the fisher persons in Australia and overseas to the Fraser Coast region.  
 
This will put Hervey Bay, the Fraser Coast and Queensland on the map, congratulations to all involved. More about this exciting venture as information comes to hard.
 
QUEENSLAND POLLIES IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY SEEKING INFORMATION ABOUT NET FREE ZONES.
 
Right now,   Friday the 11th of October a number of state politicians are in the  Northern Territory on a study tour to see firsthand the economic benefits of Net Free Zones, sure hope they come back hooked. !
 
CRAB MANAGEMENT  PLAN
Make sure you have your say! The long awaited crab management plan  Regulatory Impact Statement will be released before the end of this year (2013). The community is encouraged to fill in the questionnaire, have your say about crab pot theft, crab pot interference . This is your chance to stand up and be counted.
 
We commend Fisheries Queensland for expediting this update of the management plan as it’s been half started, aborted, changed, pigeon holed  for  at least 10 years under the previous government’s administration.
 Information will soon be available on the Dept. Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website   www.daff.qld.gov.au
 
FEEDBACK
 
We welcome feedback from our members, friends and associates. We can handle the good/bad and ugly. Feel free to email me   lancemurray@mcs.net.au
 

Dear Members and Friends,

Welcome to the MRFA Annual Report 2013. Thanks for taking the time to read our 2013 Annual Report.

Just 12 months ago we were all sunfished out!  Our redirection, rejuvenation and consolidation have placed us on solid foundations. In rebranding we are accountable only to our sponsors, financial members and ourselves. Resigning our membership from Sunfish Queensland and changing our name has been a very expensive exercise. Our public liability insurance costs are outrageous at $1511.84.  We also incurred many one off costs which are reflected in our treasurer’s report. At the moment we are in the red regarding expenditure versus receipts for our net free proposal. A spike in membership should bring this back to balance.

Without the substantial financial assistance of Tackle World, Shakespeare Street and Reef Marine we would not exist. For this and their constant moral support we shall always be grateful.

Three major projects have consumed close to one thousand volunteer man hours this past year.

Our Net Free Proposal Seaforth – St Helens ( with consideration to extend the boundaries Cape Hillsborough to Cape Conway subject to community support north of the O’Connell River), Angler Education and the third, Communications.

NET FREE PROPOSAL

Win-lose or draw, we at MRFA have done everything possible within our human and financial resources to make this dream of ours become a reality. Special thanks are due to Mick O’Donnell of Seaforth who rallied the troops at Seaforth and led the charge on that front. We acknowledge the financial assistance of $1000 from the Seaforth Progress Association which was used in the preparation of flyers and other promotional material.  Cr. Alison Jones and Ahri Tallon have provided valuable assistance to me in the preparation of our submission for government and other agencies.

We acknowledge and greatly appreciate support for this project by Mackay Tourism, The Yuibera Traditional Owners and the Mackay and District Amateur Fishing Clubs Association.



As with all projects we have a line drawn in the sand.  If we have not made satisfactory progress by our given date, we will   suspend activities, redraw battle plans and roll it out big time when the next state election is called.

 Some nonprofit recreational fishing groups market themselves apolitical – not us, being apolitical has not produced the goods for recreational fishers in the past. Governments only have one currency – votes.  It’s bloody marvelous how responsive state and local government and the opposition are when the whistle is blown for a new election.  I promise that the boot will be on the other foot! There will be a scramble for votes. We will do the talking and they will be listening. At the next state election we will have something to trade, and it’s called members votes.

We have data based well over 1000 people in the community who have signed our net free petition, and we promise them, if they took time to do that for us, we will use the numbers to the best of our ability.

ANGLER EDUCATION  

Once again special thanks to Glenn Fahy, and Mick Connolly for another year of exceptional work invested in junior fishers. One only had to be in attendance at our Family Fishing Day at Shoal Point on Easter Sunday, 31 March, where 200 children registered to see how well oiled and organized our Angler Education team is.

Our joint venture project with Tackle World Mackay hosting the ‘kids only’ fishing competition in the Pioneer River on Sunday the 4th of August was an outstanding success.  Prizes to the value of $4000 were up for offer with 184 children registering for the event.

Our Schoolfish project – sponsored exclusively by Reef Marine continues to prosper with 340 students going through the program this past 12 months.

On behalf of the management committee we extend thanks to Glenn and Mick and their willing helpers.

COMMUNICATIONS

One innovation that should improve our public image and increase public awareness is our grand new website www.mackrecfishersalliance.org. Without the assistance of Ahri, who also maintains our email communications, this would never have happened. 

MEMBERSHIP 

The good news is, since 1-4-13 we have added two hundred and sixteen (216) new people to our membership data base.  These are singular names and do not include spouses, partners or children. If you factor those in the numbers would be closer to 350.

MEDIA ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

We express sincere thanks to The Daily Mercury, The Midweek newspaper, ABC Radio, Meech and Kim,  David Perkins ( Perko )   Hammo,  Channel 7 T.V. news, Nine T.V. News.

Current financial situation as reflected by our annual treasurer’s report, a loss of $861 which had the potential to be much greater, has been recorded. The outlook for the future is dependent on there being continued support from sponsors and members. The immediate future should be secure.

  

COMMITMENTS  AND CHALLENGES  FOR 2013-14.

Our #1 priority has to be succession planning.  Some of us are getting too many miles on the clock(including yours truly).  If we don’t inject new blood and skill new executives,  most of our knowledge and contacts will go to the grave with us.

Our Net Free Zone proposal will remain on the radar screen and our Schoolfish and other kids fishing ventures will continue to operate on  auto pilot under the careful guidance  of our coordinators.

We plan to work in partnership with commercial fishers and processors to address the appalling staffing level of Mackay Boating and Fisheries Patrol. As we print this report staffing numbers are three, the same as when I came to Mackay in 1974, when the population was 28000. If we had the same number of police in Mackay now as 1974 there would be a public outcry! A more appropriate staffing number for Mackay is eight.

Thanks everyone for your loyalty and continued support.  

Lance.