inland fishing

[Open Oyster]

     Recently I did a fact finding trip through North Western NSW and talked to recreational fishers and fishing clubs.  I was enlightened by the concerns of fishers in the Macintyre, Dumaresq, Gwydir, Namoi and Barwon Rivers catchment.
 The most talked about subject was illegal nets, habitat items , especially chemicals associated with cotton productions and legal lengths. Most wanted the numbers of set lines lifted to four.  Although carp were often talked about they seem to be an accepted hazard. One fishing club president indicated at a recent outing over 95% of fish caught were carp. Many questioned what happened to cod between the length of 55 and 60cm as it appears catches between 55 and 60 are regular but over 60 rare. example: of 340 caught by 2 fishers over 3 years only 18 were legal the rest had to be released.
 Recreational fishers on the Macintyre and Dumaresq questioned why on the Queensland side of the river you could keep catfish but on the NSW side it was illegal. Records show that between June 2008 and June 2010 two fishers caught 435 catfish  between Texas and Yetman. Hardly numbers to support they are endangered in NSW and not in Queensland.
   I would like your input to  what may be important to the future of inland recreational fishing

[CEO]

 Fisheroes scientists and marine biologists believe the population of "runt cod," are the results of overstocking the waterway. Each river system and parts thereof, have what is known as a "carrying capacity." Exceed that and you end up with a colony of runts. Carp also play a significant role, for they out compete juvenile cod for the vital zooplankton. This reduces the vitality and viability of the juvenile cod population. Everyone is stocking and no one knows what their neighbours are doing. It is all most unco-ordinated.

[CEO]

TAMWORTH PROBLEM!

[CEO]

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[CEO]

Done in DUBBO!

[CEO]

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[CEO]

Daily Liberal - Dubbo