Fishing Report – October 12, 2017

ANGLESEA

» Some nice salmon being caught off local beaches at present
» Reports of some sand flathead being caught offshore
» Reports of some gummy shark still being caught offshore
» Reports of King George whiting in close in some numbers
» Reports of trevally being caught offshore
» Pinkie snapper reports are also coming in.

APOLLO BAY

» Salmon continue to be caught off Wild Dog and Marengo
» Those fishing off the harbour wall are still catching salmon
» Reports continue of the occasional gummy shark being caught off local beaches
» The aire and Barham rivers are still reporting some nice catches of bream.

For all your bait and tackle, go to Apollo Bay Sports. Phone Steve or Jen, they will be more than pleased to help you. Phone 5237 6434.

BARWON HEADS

» Pinkies, snapper and whiting are being caught offshore
» Gummy shark catches have been reported off the beaches
» Reports of salmon catches off local beaches
» The Barwon River sees reports of occasional King George whiting, trevally and some salmon.

TORQUAY

» Reports of pinkies and flathead offshore
» King George whiting and sand whiting are also being caught in close
» Still reports of barracouta being caught offshore
» Reports of the occasional gummy shark catch off the beaches
» Some good reports of salmon catches of local beaches
» Spring Creek producing the occasional nice bream as well as some small bream.

Remember Torquay Tackle and Sports. For all the best available advice in Torquay on tackle and bait, drop in at the store and see Ross or Josh to ensure you get the most up-to-date information available, or phone 5264 8207.

QUEENSCLIFF

» St Leonards reports King George whiting, flathead, squid
» Clifton Springs reports pinkies, King George whiting, squid and flathead
» Queenscliff reports King George whiting and squid
» The creek has trevally and salmon catches continuing
» Swan Bay entrance is producing whiting, taylor and squid
» Point Lonsdale has reports of trevally as well as salmon
» The White Lady continues to produce whiting and calamari
» indented head: flathead, King George whiting and calamari.

Recreational anglers, nature lovers, farmers and waterway users are invited to 13 community meetings in Victoria this month and next to hear about our plans to reduce carp numbers and the development of the National carp control Plan.

National Carp Control Plans state director Craig Ingram said carp were an unwanted pest in our lakes and rivers that reduce water quality, adversely impact our native aquatic ecosystems and cost the economy up to $500 million per annum.

“In 2016, the Commonwealth Government announced $15 million over 2.5 years to develop the plan that will include exploring the release of a naturally occurring, species-specific carp herpes virus as a biological control agent,” Mr Ingram said.

“Common carp were introduced to Victoria in 1859 and are now the dominant species in many waterways, having a major impact on the health of our waterways and our native fish populations.”

The team developing the plan is now embarking on a large program of scientific research and public meetings across carp affected areas to: address knowledge gaps, and better understand and manage risks to support the potential release of the carp virus, subsequent clean-up and recovery of native fish and ecosystems; to plan for an integrated approach to control carp in Australia’s waterways; to build community awareness for the proposal to release the virus and address community concerns; to develop strategies for release of the virus and subsequent clean-up; and to support national coordination on all elements of the plan’s development.

At the end of 2018, a formal recommendation on the best way to control carp impacts in Australia will be made in a document called the National Carp Control Plan.

The 13 public meetings in Victoria will run from 6-8pm and start on October 16 in Horsham, followed by Hamilton, Colac, Mildura, Swan Hill, Shepparton, Bendigo, Wangaratta, Wodonga, Echuca, Sale, Lakes Entrance and in Melbourne at Albert Park.

For more information about the state government’s role and community meetings email [email protected], phone 9658 4737or head to vfa.vic.gov.au/carpplan.

Find out more about the National Carp Control Plan at carp.gov.au.

My comment

A while back, I addressed this issue and the concern a large number of recreational fishers felt about it. As I did then and I still do now, I believe the risks are real to our inland fisheries, let alone the questions on how they intend to clean up tons and tons of dead carp that will line our waterways as a result.

In fact, when I first spoke to the scientist in charge of this study, he stated quite clearly that this virus will not kill all carp and some may eventually establish immunities to the virus as well.

The announcement about community meetings at this point in time fails to include the Geelong and Ballarat regions.

I have already been in touch to ask the question why?

I am led to believe they are now looking at that issue and the possibility of holding such meetings.

Any clubs or individuals in the region who have concerns about this issue and would like to request a briefing in our area, should add their voice to my request and email [email protected] or phone 9658 4737.

Anyone who sees or suspects illegal fishing activity is urged to call the 24-hour reporting line 13 FISH (13 34 74).

Photos

I would also like to remind everyone to keep those photos coming in of your big catch! Please forward them to [email protected], with type of fish, weight, length, location and your name. I am more than happy to place your photos in My Big Catch.