Fish-e-Facts 379

01 December 2015

December 2015

Victorian kingfish population study

A new two year study, funded by recreational fishing licence fees, will improve our understanding of Victorian kingfish populations. Kingfish have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity amongst saltwater anglers who consider them great sport and very good eating.

Last summer, the entrance to Port Phillip Bay attracted large numbers of anglers chasing the species, which are also caught off the coast all the way from Portland to Mallacoota.

Fisheries managers want to learn more about kingfish populations including their growth rates, population structures and spawning habits.

The study will determine whether kingfish caught in Victorian waters are from a single stock or multiple stocks.

It will also trial the use of satellite tags to better understand kingfish movement patterns, including depth and water temperature preferences.

Keen anglers can help with the study by donating kingfish frames and keeping records of their catches this summer. Scientists will extract otoliths (ear bones) from kingfish frames to determine their age.

To register interest in helping, anglers can contact Dr Corey Green (03) 5258 0275 or corey.green@vfa.vic.gov.au.

Extra trout stocking before Christmas

Nearly 28,000 extra trout will be stocked into four lakes to boost fishing opportunities and encourage newcomers to wet a line. All will be catchable size, weighing between 200 grams and 1kg.

The extra fish complement the State Government's Target One Million plan for recreational fishing, which aims to get more people fishing, more often, by boosting participation to one million anglers by 2020 and increase stocking to 5 million fish.

The Eildon Pondage, Lake Karkarook, Pykes Creek Reservoir and Devilbend Reservoir will be sharing in the extra fish between now and January.

Stocking is funded by recreational fishing licence fees and Target One Million - www.vic.gov.au/targetonemillion.

New central Victorian recreational abalone fishing dates

The nominated days on which recreational divers can take abalone from central Victorian waters during the 2015/16 season has been announced.

The open days for central Victorian waters for 2015-2016 are:

• Every Saturday and Sunday between 16 November 2015 and 30 April 2016, inclusive;
• Every declared Victorian public holiday between 16 November 2015 and 30 April 2016; and
• 25 December 2015 through to 10 January 2016, inclusive.

There are 62 open days this season, mostly on weekends and public holidays, including 18 consecutive days from Christmas into the New Year.

Central Victorian waters lie between the mouth of the Aire River and the most north-western part of Arch Rock (near Cape Liptrap) and include Port Phillip and Western Port.
 
The daily recreational bag limit in Victoria is five abalone of which no more than two can be greenlip. Greenlip abalone cannot be taken at any time in Port Phillip.

Divers are reminded they can only take abalone between sunrise and sunset and must use a blunt instrument with rounded edges to harvest them. Divers must also carry a measuring device when in the water and use it to measure each abalone to ensure it is at least the minimum size before removing it from the sea bottom.

Taking abalone from the intertidal zone (waters less than two metres deep) is prohibited along the entire Victorian coast.

Free, water-resistant pocket cards, detailing the abalone season, are available to help divers better plan their trips. These have been produced, as well as free abalone measuring devices, using funds collected from the sale of recreational fishing licences and are available by calling the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

To learn more about abalone fishing rules visit www.vic.gov.au/fisheries or download the free 'Vic Fishing' app for smartphones.

Fined!

A Melbourne couple have been fined for taking 439 sand crabs at Lakes Entrance in July.

The pair pleaded guilty in the Bairnsdale Magistrates Court to exceeding the daily catch limit, using more than two hoop nets
each in marine waters and obstructing a Fisheries Officer.

They had taken more than seven times the legal limit.

Total fines of $6,500, with convictions, forfeiture of equipment and payable costs of $397.55 were handed out to the pair.
 
Anyone who sees or suspects illegal fishing activity is urged to call the 24-hour reporting line 13FISH (133474).