Wives weigh into quota fight

September 1, 2010

Wives of Port MacDonnell commercial cray fishermen anticipate tough financial times in the next few months with detrimental effects to families and business in the face of a shorter fishing season and a lower commercial catch quota.

The group of women said fishing families would have to tighten their belts drastically, deckhands would lose their jobs and fishermen would be exposed to more danger at sea when the season starts in November. Read more

Tags: Business, environment, fishing, government, Port MacDonnell, quota | Comments Off

Fishing quota cut creates waves

August 26, 2010

An already divided South East lobster fishing community is heading for the rocks following the announcement of a shorter fishing season and lower catch quota for 2010-11, with claims the decision could force some operators out of the industry.

Fisheries Minister Michael O’Brien’s announcement that he would slash the season by two months and the total allowable commercial catch quota by 150 tonnes has been met with a wave of animosity from South East rock lobster fishermen, although it has netted approval from one sector. Read more

Tags: Business, environment, fishing, government, rock lobster | Comments Off

Lobster fishing quota slashed

August 25, 2010

Professional South East rock lobster fishermen will go to sea to earn a living later this year with a reduced catch quota and a shorter fishing season.

Fisheries Minister Michael O’Brien has set the Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) for the Southern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery at 1250 tonnes and reduced the fishing season, which will run from November 1 this year to April 30, 2011. Read more

Tags: environment, fishing, government, rock lobster | Comments Off

Mako fishing ban overturned

July 1, 2010

South East anglers have welcomed approval of legislation that will overturn the Federal Government’s move to ban the fishing of three popular game shark species.

The ban arose earlier this year due to international action on threatened stocks of porbeagle, shortfin mako and longfin mako sharks — particularly in the Mediterranean and North Atlantic Ocean. Read more

Tags: fishing, government, mako, South East | Comments Off

Fishers call for lobster season cut

June 3, 2010

Representativesof the local rock lobster fishing industry are hopeful of a shorter 2010-11 season with reduced quotas after this year’s season ended at an all-time low for some.

Port MacDonnell Professional Fisherman’s Association president John Ashby said although efforts from fishermen were up this season, catches were down with boats hauling in just 6kg to 30kg per day, leaving the sector a predicted 100 to 150 tonnes short of its 1400 tonne total allowable commercial catch quota this season. Read more

Tags: economy, employment, environment, fishing, Port MacDonnell | Comments Off

Lobster catch sinks to new low

May 17, 2010

A Port MacDonnell fishing veteran has warned the state of the southern zone rock lobster fishery has spiralled into its worst state in living memory.

Port MacDonnell Professional Fisherman’s Association secretary Lionel Carrison — who has been a part of the sector for more than 50 years — yesterday issued a warning about the future sustainability of the fishery. Read more

Tags: employment, environment, fishing, government | Comments Off

Grant Council floats port plan

April 21, 2010

Grant District Council has floated establishing a council operated professional port authority at Port MacDonnell, which is home to the largest rock lobster fleet in the southern hemisphere.

While a feasibility study will need to be undertaken to investigate the viability of a port authority, the Department of Transport has given its initial support to the possible move. Read more

Tags: Council, development, fishing, Grant, Port MacDonnell, water | Comments Off

Fishing survey to help shape marine parks plan

April 6, 2010

ANGLERS have been called on to make their mark in the “SAMPIT” as the State Government continues work to include the public in defining marine park boundaries.

The online survey — South Australian Marine Parks Information Tool (SAMPIT) — will gather details of where anglers, boaties, commercial fishers and other people spend most time. Read more

Tags: Community, environment, fishing, government, marine parks | Comments Off

Guilty plea recorded for illegal fishing

February 26, 2010

A 55-year-old Port MacDonnell commercial fisher was convicted and fined $5000 in the Portland Magistrates’ Court this week for rock lobster fishing inside Victorian waters during the closed season.

Ian Maxwell Perryman pleaded guilty to three charges relating to the unauthorised use of commercial fishing equipment during a closed season and attempting to take rock lobster during a closed season. Read more

Tags: court, fishing, rock lobster | Leave a Comment

Fishing offenders detected

February 18, 2010

Although PIRSA Fisheries’ phone-in campaign Operation Community ended two weeks ago, the information received continues to help officers on the Limestone Coast to catch rock lobster offenders.

PIRSA Fisheries regional manager Mel Snart said officers patrolling the northern Limestone Coast areas in the past week detected a number of rock lobster offences as a direct result of public information. Read more

Tags: fishing, rock lobster | Leave a Comment