Aquaculture & fishing

A leisurely fishing trip with some mates from Jeremal Bridge to Tintaldra on Saturday became very memorable when Josh Boers landed this 93cm Murray cod, much to the envy of his fellow anglers.

The gross value of Australian fisheries and aquaculture production is forecast to grow by 0.5 per cent in 2023−24 to $3.56 billion according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES). ABARES Executive Director Dr Jared Greenville said that growth in 2023−24 is predominantly driven by higher prices of wild-caught rock lobster...

Australia’s farm, fisheries and forestry sectors are set to rebound in 2024-25. The most recent Agricultural Commodities and Australian Crop reports are predicting that the gross value of production in 2024–25 will again increase after poor seasonal conditions affected outcomes in 2023-24.

Michelle Daw. Commercial fishers are hoping the release of a state government report on its controversial cost recovery model will bring about changes, enabling them to stay in business. The Report of the Independent Cost Recovery Review Panel from October 2023 was released by Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven on Tuesday, February 20.

Lillian Colless had her dream come true when a monument to the fishermen of Evans Head was unveiled ... as part of a Fishermen’s Reunion weekend. The monument honours the fishing industry – in the 1950s there were 70 trawlers fishing out of Evans Head.

More than 21,000 Mary River cod have been released into South East Queensland waterways to help the species recover from severe floods in 2022.

Bullock Island’s new café will add to the charm of the Gippsland Lakes and draw new visitors to the area ... Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney joined representatives from the  Lakes Entrance Fishermen Limited (LEFL) at the brand new café at Lakes Entrance, offering spectacular water views as diners enjoy their locally sourced meal.

Things are looking up for yet another threatened small-bodied native fish in the region, with the state and federal government agencies’ rescue plan bearing fruit. The Murray-Darling lineage of the southern pygmy perch was once common in the wetlands and slow flowing creeks of the Basin.    

Michelle Daw. A southern Yorke Peninsula fisher is worried sharks are becoming more aggressive around boats — and believes shark tourism is partly to blame ... Mr Bishop fishes in Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf and said he’s seen more sharks come close to his boat recently than at any other time in his 21-year career.

Margrit Beemster. Research has been conducted in the Yallakool Creek and upper Wakool River near Deniliquin to find an easier way to detect adult freshwater mussels and to better understand why mussels are no longer as plentiful as they once were.

Goolwa South Australian resident, Ken Jury, sees a better way forward for the basin and believes that governments are risking the viability of the whole basin. Ken, an investigative journalist with a passion for marine and aquatic ecology ... is an expert on the South Australian Lower Lakes and Coorong ...

Fishers can once again head to northern Victoria’s lakes and rivers in search of an iconic Murray cod with the season opening today, Friday, December 1.

A trial oyster hatchery in Wilson Inlet will need steady marine exchange to maintain salinity for the spats to continue their promising growth ... Marine biologist Zak Launay, who previously harvested mussels commercially in the inlet, said the oysters could grow to commercial size in about half the time of the standard growth cycle.

An online petition has been launched calling for a fair deal for Clarence River prawn trawler operators after the government offered a paltry $133 per share to buy back their trawling entitlements, leaving them without a business and a small payback for their life’s work.

The Tasmanian Government received a letter from Federal Labor Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, relating to potential action taken against salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour ... Premier Rockliff said any decision to halt operations by Tanya Plibersek would put 350+ jobs at risk in communities right across Tasmania.

The third $10,000 red-tagged barra of Million Dollar Fish Season 9 has been caught just five weeks into the season. The season runs from 1 October 2023 until 31 March 2024 ... This season someone is guaranteed to win a million dollars.  

The Tasmanian Government is taking action to secure the future of scalefish fishery for generations to come. Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jo Palmer, announced new rules will come into effect for all commercial and recreational fishers from 1 November, 2023 following extensive consultation.

Digital and agtech adoption on Australian farms has been held back by connectivity issues and digital literacy, but this complex landscape will now be easier to navigate with the launch of the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) On Farm Connectivity Information Service … will provide free, practical, tailored support for farmers through the NFF’s Regional Tech Hub – as a key pillar of the Australian Government’s $30 million On Farm Connectivity Program (OFCP).

The annual assessment of Commonwealth fish stocks from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) has found that the majority of stocks assessed were both not overfished and not subject to overfishing. The ABARES Fishery status reports 2023 provides an annual, independent assessment of the biological and economic status of Commonwealth managed fisheries.

Michelle Daw. Yorke Peninsula commercial fishers are furious, as they say a new licence structure will increase their fees by more than 400 per cent and could force them out of business.