CATEGORY
Aquaculture & fishing
Suspected microalgae bloom kills SYP sea life
Dead sea creatures are being discovered along the east coast of southern Yorke Peninsula, believed to be linked to a microalgal bloom ... "We saw 30 to 40 dead octopus, and normally you have to really look to see one octopus during the daytime ... It was the saddest and most emotional dive I have ever had": diver Paul Macdonald.
Murray Cod returned to Macquarie River after five years at Fisheries Centre
After having spent five years in the NSW Government's Narrandera Fisheries Centre native fish hatchery, 19 mature Murray Cod saved from the drought-ravaged Macquarie River in 2019 have now been returned to their home waters.
OzFish fears large fish kill after reports from locals about fish gasping for air
Reports from the public about fish gasping for air have been coming in to fish habitat charity OzFish ... The organisation has received messages and photos from locals who said thousands of fish were gasping for air, or washing up dead, following the recent cyclone and flooding.
Australian agriculture – competitive, resilient and up for the challenge: ABARES
Agriculture, fisheries and forestry is well placed to take on future challenges and opportunities, according to the latest ABARES Snapshot of Australian agriculture. Sector value and production have continued to grow over the past 20 years with another strong performance expected in 2024-25.
Barrage of lies
When South Australians were trying to turn their estuary into a freshwater dam in the 1940’s, the Mulloway natural migration was devastated. Now, Australia’s only freshwater estuary hangs like a noose around the neck of the Murray Darling Basin, consuming huge volumes of freshwater to raise an artificial lake height for yachting, and an attempt to dilute the Southern Ocean, under the fundamentally flawed Murray Darling Basin Plan.
The KP group of forests February report – Net results: Fin-tastic
"A healthy working forest where native species can flourish, and where local communities can connect and co-manage the forest for future generations" ... Over the past few months, various locations within the KP Forest have been sampled for native and exotic fish abundance and biomass, as part of the annual monitoring program. This sampling has involved a combination of fyke netting...
A use for carp
Roy Butler, Member for Barwon, tells us he visited a place run by Oceans2Earth. They make a product called Soil Enhancer. They mix fish waste and wood together to make a fertiliser. The man behind this is Tim Crane, originally from Wilcannia.
Throwing good money overboard – WA Government’s aquaculture obsession
DPIRD, dated January 22, 2025, announces a $7 million splurge under the banner of “Building Climate Resilience on WA Farms.” Tucked neatly inside this generous handout is an eye-watering $1,071,770 for “future-proofing” Western Australia’s aquaculture industry. Future-proofing? Against what, exactly? Climate change? Cue the laughter.
Seafood leads global protein production growth – Rabobank Global Animal Protein Outlook 2025
In 2025, economic conditions, geopolitics, and supply availability will significantly influence global animal protein markets, according to RaboResearch’s Global Animal Protein Outlook. While demand remains vulnerable to macroeconomic fluctuations and policy changes, seafood is poised to surpass poultry...
What kind of fishing is allowed in the Two Rocks marina?
The Department of Transport has clarified what kind of fishing is allowed in the Two Rocks marina. A department spokesman said the placement of crab pots and floats had always been prohibited within all Department of Transport marinas, to ensure safe navigation of vessels.
Fresh intake of 20,600 fingerlings along local river waterways
Hay Shire Council and Hay Lions Football and Netball Club joined forces once again for their much-anticipated annual native fish restocking event in the Murrumbidgee River at Hay late last month. Around 6600 Murray Cod fingerlings were released near Sandy Point, marking another significant step in enhancing the local aquatic ecosystem.
New government dismisses chance to reverse Labor’s industry decimation: Katter
Queensland’s commercial fishing industry had a chance to be saved from ideologically driven decimation on Tuesday, with the Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) disallowance motion to reverse Labor’s gillnet bans in the Gulf of Carpentaria being debated in Parliament. “The Crisafulli government had a chance to put its talk into action,” KAP Leader and Member for Traeger, Robbie Katter has said.
Bumper cod season opens this weekend
Some of Victoria’s most popular inland fishing spots will be drawcards for anglers this weekend when the annual Murray cod fishing season opens on Sunday. Cod opening is Christmas come early for many freshwater fishers and follows the annual three-month closed season – applicable to most waters north of the Great Dividing Range – which gives the iconic native species a chance to breed in peace.
Whites run to start earlier this year DPIRD predicts
The annual whites run of WA rock lobsters into deeper waters will start earlier this year, scientists with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development are predicting. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) said the number of rock lobster on the move offshore was influenced by several factors including ocean temperature.
Moulamein Men’s Shed: Sustaining fish numbers
The Moulamein Men’s Shed is helping to keep the small village alive. The oldest town in the Riverina, members of the shed work hard to do whatever they can to keep various aspects of the town afloat ... Moulamein’s main drawcard is to fishermen and bird watchers.
Highlights and challenges for sustainable fisheries: ABARES
The annual assessment of Commonwealth fish stocks by ABARES has found that the majority of stocks assessed were not overfished or subject to overfishing. The ABARES Fishery status reports 2024 provides an annual, independent assessment of the biological and economic status of Commonwealth-managed fisheries.
Two Rocks marina-based lobster fisher chats with Trade Minister
Western rock lobster fisher Anthony Manganaro, who operates out of the Two Rocks marina, was pleased to give federal Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell the chance to put a face to his name on Sunday. The establishment of marine parks and increasing regulations despite the WA western rock lobster fishery maintaining its ecological sustainability since it was accredited by the Marine Stewardship Council in 2000 were just two issues mentioned…
Cape Jaffa Marina closure
Following severe storms at the end of August 2024 which saw seven metre swells hit the coastline, significant sand ingress compromised safe navigation of vessels to and from the Cape Jaffa Marina. As a result, the commercial fishing fleet unfortunately had to transport to Robe to commence their annual fishing season.
NSW Fisheries Officers action over safety concerns
NSW Fisheries Officers have taken industrial action and are refusing to inspect commercial trawlers at night over safety concerns after several alleged violent incidents where they have been shot at, threatened with knives … The Public Service Association PSA which represents NSW Fisheries Officers said they are avoiding certain areas and individuals at the very time fears have emerged that crooks, poachers and organised criminals … have taken over the state’s rivers, oceans and estuaries and are now plundering valuable species like abalone and rock lobster.
Cohuna Carp Catch is back
The North Central Catchment Management Authority’s (CMA) Native Fish Recovery Program is hosting the popular event on Gunbower Creek at the Gateway Information Centre end of Garden Park on Sunday, October 27. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be heaps of prizes based on the size and number of carp caught, as well as water bug activities, colouring tents, turtle and native fish displays, and a free lunch.
“Perfect Trifecta” for river fish
While punters look to find the best bets on racecourses across the state, the perfect trifecta could be within the banks of three northern Victorian waterways. Water for the environment will flow down the Loddon River, Serpentine Creek, and Pyramid Creek during October, to provide local native fish with a party of their own. Environmental water releases from Laanecoorie Reservoir will begin in early October, targeting flows of 400 megalitres a day.
Man illegally sold recreationally caught rock lobster
A Quinns Rocks man has had his fishing licence suspended and has been prohibited from being on any recreational fishing boat or possessing recreationally caught rock lobster for six months. When the 58-year-old man appeared in Joondalup Magistrates Court he was ordered to pay fines, penalties and costs totalling more than $19,000.

