poss cuts to herring and tailor bag limits

from the west australian

 

Tighter bag limits for recreational anglers on popular fish species herring and tailor could be introduced after a Government study has questioned whether fishing on current stocks is sustainable. Stocks are lower than 20 years ago, with preliminary findings from a Department of Fisheries' report - to be released in November - showing that recreational fishers are putting more pressure on herring numbers than the commercial industry. The research also found that environmental factors have likely contributed to the decline. WA's last influx of herring was in 1999 at the same time as a strong Leeuwin current. And major pilchard kills along the WA coastline in 1995 and 1998 - attributed to a herpes virus - is suspected to have driven predators to feast on herring. Senior research scientist Dr Kim Smith said the research had yet to determine whether the level of fishing enjoyed in the metropolitan area was sustainable. Dr Smith said commercial fishing pressure on herring was low, but recreational fishing pressure was still significant and "something of a concern". Recreational fishermen are allowed a bag limit of eight tailor per day, with a minimum size of 300mm and only two exceeding 600mm, while they can catch herring in a 30 mixed-bag limit. Scientist Brett Molony said the research followed on from the introduction of tough rules for catching demersal species such as pink snapper and dhufish which had been expected to increase demand for near-shore species. The study, which is also trying to establish mortality rates of the fish from catch sizes, biological data and historical records dating back to the 1970s, will soon turn its focus on whiting. Much of the information has been volunteered by recreational fishermen, including diaries that recorded fishing activity from the same locations for 40 years. It has revealed that between 70 and 80 per cent of herring caught during the spawning season were female, a quota Dr Smith said was unusual and unsustainable. She said tailor stocks were "not where we'd like them to be" but the health of the stock had improved in recent times. Researchers had struggled to get the required sample size to determine the age structure of the population. "We've found over the years there's extremely variable recruitment, it was strong in the late 90s and then nothing, but the last couple of years have been quite good," Dr Smith said. Recfishwest acting chief executive Kane Moyle said that herring and tailor were the lifeblood of the recreational fishing industry and the stock management needed to be discussed once the study was complete.

 

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If I spent half as long fishing , as I do reading this bloody forum , I'd be twice the fisherman I am. 


seaswirl's picture

Posts: 268

Date Joined: 29/08/10

fish today

Fri, 2010-09-03 18:17

better go fishing today, because tomorrow we may not be allowed

Markie's picture

Posts: 2140

Date Joined: 06/08/10

dont say that mate will

Fri, 2010-09-03 18:22

dont say that mate will break my heart. Goin to be buyin my first boat within next 6 months i want to catch some decent fish in my time haha

seaswirl's picture

Posts: 268

Date Joined: 29/08/10

and ya should

Fri, 2010-09-03 19:17

you deserve it as we all do.....cut the commercial catch quota is what i say

Posts: 626

Date Joined: 27/11/09

Tailor levels were on the

Fri, 2010-09-03 19:12

Tailor levels were on the improve last time I looked...so on that basis why change the current tailor bag limits? They can't expect the damage done over 50 years to be repaired overnight - it's going to take a lot longer and less reactive management of the fisheries as short term there will always be peaks and troughs in numbers. I'm not sure if they normalise the data somehow?

 

It's natural that changes affecting the 'prize' recreational fish have driven anglers to take more herring. So perhaps a change to the bag limits or management methodology is supported by data.

 

However, a few years down the track they will notice a downward trend in whiting numbers, or whatever species we primarily target instead of the old tommy ruff.

 

I actually want to work for Fisheries...so respect what they do and SOMETIMES the way they go about it....but for god's sake when are they going to start thinking bigger picture about the marine environment.

 

A balanced approach to the environment is required and an understanding that anything you do that impacts on one species, will inevitably impact on another.

grayzeee's picture

Posts: 2283

Date Joined: 09/07/09

you make a good point there

Fri, 2010-09-03 19:40

you make a good point there buschy

all the changes to the demersal limits haven't even been given  a chance to work before their talking of further cuts again.

Yell

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If I spent half as long fishing , as I do reading this bloody forum , I'd be twice the fisherman I am.