{"id":29131,"date":"2019-11-28T07:00:41","date_gmt":"2019-11-27T21:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bellarinetimes\/news\/fad-tastic-summer-ahead-for-southwest-fishers\/"},"modified":"2019-11-29T09:20:50","modified_gmt":"2019-11-28T23:20:50","slug":"fad-tastic-summer-ahead-for-southwest-fishers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bellarinetimes\/sport\/fad-tastic-summer-ahead-for-southwest-fishers\/","title":{"rendered":"FAD-tastic summer ahead for southwest fishers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Torquay\u2019s offshore artificial fishing reef welcomed the return of five fish aggregating devices (FADs) last week, with another two to be deployed off Lorne and Aireys Inlet in the weeks ahead.<\/p>\n

FADs are large floating surface buoys attached to a long rope attached to the bottom. FADs provide structure in an otherwise open sea and attract pelagic gamefish species popular with saltwater fishers.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur FADs program is funded by the Victorian State Government\u2019s $35 million Target One Million<\/em> plan to get more people fishing, more often, in more places,\u201d Victorian Fisheries Authority chief executive officer Travis Dowling said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe five FADS at Torquay are each attached to concrete reef clusters up to four metres high and weighing 20 tonnes. The addition of FADs 25 metres above the reef mean there is more vertical habitat for kingfish, tuna, dolphinfish and trevally.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe two-year trial of FADs at Torquay saw kingfish captured as anticipated, which is why the trial is being extended and expanded to include two other southwest Victorian locations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe two new FADs at Lorne and Aireys Inlet have come about from collaboration with the Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club, which had liked the Torquay FADs and wanted something similar.<\/p>\n

\u201cClub members\u2019 local knowledge of the waters and kingfish hot-spots guided the decision to locate the two new FADs off Stoney Creek, north Lorne, and offshore of Aireys Inlet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr Dowling said FADs are installed during the warmer months then removed to reduce the risk of damage from large winter swells or entanglement during whale migration.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re really excited to hear how the two new FADs perform this summer and look forward to seeing lots of smiling faces with great fish through the holidays.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Torquay FADs are above the reef at 38\u02da 19.990′ S 144\u02da 22.440′ E.<\/p>\n

Before the end of November 2019, FADs will be deployed at the proposed locations off Lorne (38\u00b0 32.264\u2019S\u00a0\u00a0 144\u00b0 01.940 E) and Aireys Inlet (38\u00b0 29.143\u2019S\u00a0\u00a0 144\u00b0 09.728 E), when fishing for kingfish along the southwest coast really hots up.<\/p>\n

My Comment: <\/u><\/p>\n

Both Torquay and Lorne Fishing Club members attended the event, and all were impressed by the units themselves as well as the potential to increase their fishing options.<\/p>\n

Vice President of the Rusty Anglers club from Anglesea John McKenzie said FADs were a fantastic idea and would love to see at least one of Anglesea as well.<\/p>\n

I would also like to remind everyone also to keep those photos coming in of your big catch.<\/p>\n

Photos: Please forward them to the email address below, with type of fish, weight, length, location and your name. I am more than happy to place your photos in My Big Catch. Email photos to mybigcatch@bigpond.com<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Also, if you see or suspect illegal fishing activity any time over summer please call the 24-hour reporting line 13 FISH (13 3474)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fishing Reports <\/strong><\/p>\n

Anglesea: <\/strong><\/p>\n

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