From our President:

On 4 December the ACT Government released its review discussion paper of the now outdated Fisheries Act 2000 Act . The paper is formatted with short backgrounds on various angling issues followed by a Have Your Say section which includes a couple of questions for discussion.  As a very active angling organisation, this is our opportunity to have direct input into the management of OUR fishery here in the ACT.

CAA members are encouraged to read the review and e-mail comments before Monday 5 February to epsddcomms@act.gov.au  You can answer the specific questions in the review, raise new issues not originally covered or just make general comments.

One issue not canvassed in the report but was mentioned by the discussion paper’s author at the media launch was whether or not we should have recreational fishing licenses in the ACT.  We currently do not and nor do we have a single dedicated fisheries ranger according to one of the Cotter-based ACT rangers who spoke at the launch of the discussion paper.

While all or part of your comments may be posted on the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate web site or included in the consultation report, your name will not be used without your permission.  Please include the words Canberra Anglers’ Association in any submission you make because that WILL be included in the final report.  (From Blogmaster: I would suggest you might cc the CAA contact email as this will assist the executive formulate the CAA response.)

A web version of the discussion paper is available at https://www.yoursay.act.gov.au/index.php?cID=788

We got this message in from Communications at Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development (ACT Government).

We just wanted to let you know we’re installing an automatic access gate at the southern foreshores to Googong dam next week. This will maintain existing access arrangements, but the installation will require a closure of the vehicle gate from 5 to 8 December (weather permitting).

Not sure how I missed this one.  Our mates at Canberra Fisho’s have been running this tournament since I was a callow youth.

More information at http://canberrafishos.com/

Steve Samuels has passed the latest minutes (less trust fund considerations – don’t worry when it stops abruptly on page 10.)

Seems to have spent a balance towards salt water.

RFNSW outcomes from Meeting 6s

Apologies, I’ve just been reminded that our Events page (and our membership card) is showing the incorrect date for Lyle Knowles. Subsequent to the printing a decision was taken to shift from the one day event on Saturday and instead the event will be held Sun 22 Oct.

There was also some discussion about the determination of the winner given that in the past it was ‘best bag’. Committee has confirmed that the winner will be the longest (nose to tail) individual fish.

We had earlier posted much of this information but now here is the official report.

Gaden Trout Hatchery Report June-oct 2017
For those unaware, Gaden Hatchery is generally the single source for DPI and MAS stocking of trout in this region. The situation last year was pretty parlous with few fishing running up from Lake Jindabyne. Gaden used to provide monthly reports, but to reduce administrative workload, they are now less frequent. The latest report passed to us by Steve Samuels is very positive. Not only were the runs, especially the browns, larger (Gaden was able to remove the fish trap much earlier allowing fish to run up the river and spawn naturally), but the number of stocked fish detected was very low meaning the ‘naturally bred’ fish were very much in the preponderance. The inclusion of Eucumbene fish into the Gaden stock sounds like a good idea for genetic diversity. Keep your eye out for the tagged ex-brood stock fish in Jindabyne.

All unwanted 2+ 3+ rainbow trout broodstock (230 individuals) have been released into Lake Jindabyne with an elastomer implant (pink) inserted near the left eye.

Waterwatch and the Invasive Animals Co-operative Research Centre are trying to enlist the public to locate carp breeding grounds now that spring has warmed up the water. You can then log your sightings at the Feral Fish Scan website

More info in the Canberra Times article here.

The AGM in August discussed the anomaly that fish caught on an official CAA event held outside the defined trophy regions (NSW CFA Regions 3 and 4) could not be considered for trophies under the extant rules. This was further discussed at the Bondi Forest executive ‘retreat’ and revised rules were developed. These were endorsed at the September CAA meeting. Also endorsed was an expansion of the number of trophies to include trophies for cod, golden perch (named the Charlie Diedo trophy), bass and English Perch (redfin).

The revised rules (including, in due course, a ‘worked example’ of the slightly complicated trout trophies) are now on the web.

The 2017 MEJ BIG Burley Bash is being held at Lake Burley Griffin over 10 weeks, every Thursday evening starting 5th October. This event will see anglers target the yellow belly species – the BIGGER the better.  Fishing will take place from 6:30pm to 9:30pm each Thursday, and points will be accumulated over the 8 weeks, with one week of finals.

Planning is underway getting flyers and registration forms organised.  Once completed they should be available from Burley Line or direct from fishing@my2hooks.net

Those who read the August newsletter will be aware, but there is some more information here.

Late in Jul an alarm was raised that the ACT Govt was looking to lock permanently the southern gate to the Googong foreshores (down near London Bridge and Burra).  There was a quick response from the angling community, especially ACTFF, and through them the Environment Department was called to explain the situation on the ABC Local Radio (666) Drive program on Wed 26 Jul. Go to:

http://www.abc.net.au/radio/canberra/programs/drive/drive/8725826

The interview with Matt Kendall was at 4:07PM but the recording starts at 3:00PM. If you fast forward about a third of the way through you’ll hear it.  The key outcome is that the Department is looking to install an automatically locking gate in lieu of sending rangers down to lock the gate each evening

The key complaint is the opaque manner that this had been considered by the Environment Department. From here on our energies should be focussed on ensuring the Govt consults with the public as the performance of the gate is examined – probably through their Recreational User Group. Also to ensure irresponsible damage to the gate doesn’t give the Govt an excuse to take the option to permanently lock the gate in the future.

Readers might consider signing a petition started by Andrew Wall MLA.