DPI Fisheries has been criticised for not displaying action in respect to the Trout Strategy that had been developed with much angler input a year or so ago. On 18 June 2020 they conducted an extended Zoom presentation covering these matters, specifically the innovations being implemented at Gaden Hatchery and especially the research activities being conducted across the state. It was a very informative session and well received.

For those who didn’t go, or those who would like a reminder of the slide packs/information, these have been disseminated and available here. The titles are not entirely descriptive of the contents. The first one focusses on research, the second the efforts more broadly.

The handling of the various publicly ‘owned’ land (eg TSRs, Crown Reserves and Crown Roads) has been a continuing issue for anglers within NSW.  The loss of access to waters due to the sale of TSRs etc has been considerable. The transparency of Government consideration has reduced over the years and it is only through dedicated monitoring by a few (eg President MAS Steve Samuels) that plans have been identified and, where necessary, objected to. (Steve has had some great wins in the Snowy Monaro).

The ever vigilant NSWCFA (thanks Ray Tang) has spotted this exposure document in respect to Crown Land.  I’d encourage all readers here to examine the draft for education and consideration.  When the formal public consideration period commences I’d encourage strong individual participation.  No doubts NSWCFA Executive will put a consolidated position into the process as well.

https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/lands/public/on-exhibition/draft-state-strategic-plan-for-crown-land

You might recall anglers were asked to contribute to the development of a new Native Fish Recovery Strategy.

We’ve been advised today that on Friday 19 June Murray-Darling Basin Ministers endorsed the Strategy, “which provides guidance and practical actions that governments, communities and the private sector can take to strengthen the health of native fish”.

The document is available on the Murray Darling Basin Authority website.

We have been patiently waiting for this. DPI have been quietly doing a lot of research, some in the context of the Trout Strategy. Now we can read about it on this new webpage.

Got this from UMDR and Cooma Waterwatch:

UMDR needs 10 mins of your time to fill out the community fish knowledge survey by Monday 15th June.

Two of our members, John and Jason M, normally attend these meetings. On occasion making representation on our behalf, and reporting back. With COVID, the ‘meeting’ is a bit one way and comes as a newsletter 🙂

Attached for you edification.

Steve Samuels has released the following press release. It comes upon a major milestone in the Snowy Hydro 2.0 project, in particular for us the “Recreational Fishing Offset”. As Steve said: “The Snowy Hydro 2.0 Assessment Report was released today.  This report outlines what steps Snowy Hydro must take to get final approval for the 2.0 Project.  As you will be aware the Monaro Acclimatisation Society has been negotiating with Snowy Hydro for the past three years to gain a recreational fishing offset in the form of a grow-out facility where we could grow trout for stocking to a larger size which will be able to resist predation from redfin.  Our work with Snowy Hydro saw this concept placed in the Environmental Impact Statement.  The Assessment report released today states that Snowy Hydro is to commit $5 million to this project.  While it will be sad if redfin do get into Tantangara and beyond, the MAS has worked hard to ensure that we can maintain a viable trout fishery in the face of redfin invasion.”

(Apologies for temporarily posting an earlier press release. I jumped the gun and uploaded before it was fully finalised. As it happens, the Assessment Report release meant the release needed to be reshaped. Cheers, Bill)

Peter Gibson has outdone himself with lots of news – so much that I can’t possibly leave it until the next CAA Burley Line newsletter.

Hot topics covered are:

• NSW Trout Strategy Annual Report Cards – we’ve been waiting for these to be published and Peter has found them hidden away in the DPI website
• Environment Minister Kean’s response to the Platypus and Turtle Alliance – NSW moves closer to banning completely ‘opera house’ yabby nets. This is an action that CFA have been lobbying for over the past few years.
• Feral horse hospitalises teenager camping in Kosciuszko National Park – watch out if you plan to camp at Blue Waterholes once the restrictions are lifted.
• NPWS’s plans for horse management in fire-affected Park – a limited effort here. Meanwhile, did you see the Victorian Supreme Court judgement countering claims of heritage status of brumbies in Victorian high country? Read it here
• Snowy 2.0 threat to rivers and fish – never let it be said that CFA ignores news critical of Snowy Hydro 2.0
• NSW CFA 16 May general meeting report – CFA had a ordinary general meeting via Zoom on Sat 16 May. As Assistant Secretary, I’ve only just completed the draft minutes and Peter has them up on the web 🙂
• Reminder: Dollar For Dollar Native Fish Stocking Program is back – CAA had a bid in last year which of course was impacted by the COVID.

You can get it here. CAA is an affiliated member of NSW CFA. Members might consider whether to personally become a ‘Foundation Member’ to help fund this cause. Information at the bottom of the newsletter.

Good friend of CAA and newsletter editor/Facebook admin for Canberra Fishermans Club, Anthony, has provided a short article for the next CAA newsletter about a trip up to the Eucumbene – watch for it soon. This trip was with well known angler Steve Dunn who has helpfully set out his understanding of the current rules for such travel in his blog: https://flystream.com/covid-19-can-i-fish-the-snowy-mountains/
Key point is to drive straight to and from your fishing spots without stopping along the way. Steve emphasised that the rules are always changing and that anglers should double check them before they go out fishing.

This survey, conducted by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences and the University of Canberra, seeks to get a modern picture of the value of angling. The last one was done 20 years ago and remains our only objective examination to hold up to government on why angling should be supported.

Response across Australia has been strong, with the sole exception of the ACT. It is important that our contribution is included so go for it.

Please complete the survey as soon as possible (it closes 22 May). There are even lucky ‘door’ prizes each week.