Hocking Mulloway

[Nete-Quette]

(stamped 2nd Sep 2008)

Mr Phillip Ingram
Anglers Action Group
PO Box 630
NARRABEEN NSW 2101

Dear Mr Ingram

Thank you for your letter of 7 May 2008 to the Hon Ian Macdonald MLC, NSW Minister of Primary Industries, concerning recreational catches of mulloway, bream and dusky flathead and reports of a proposed closure at Reef Wide. The Minister has asked me to respond to you on his behalf.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) uses data from reported catches of commercial fishers and surveys of recreational fishers during the assessment and review of the status of our fisheries resources. This data is more reliable than using catch percentage ratios. The most recent catch estimates for mulloway, yellowfin bream and dusky flathead are as follows:

Species      Recreational Catch (t)      Commercial Catch (t)
Mulloway      100-500 t         44-101 t
Yellowfin Bream   820-1070 t         335-550 t
Dusky Flathead   570-830 t         116-241 t

These recreational catch estimates are based on the National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey (2003) and other catch surveys undertaken by NSW DPI. The commercial catches are based on catch records submitted by commercial fishers.

Mulloway is currently classified as overfished and NSW DPI is developing a draft recovery plan for this species. Currently no fishing closure is proposed in the Long Reef area to protect a mulloway spawning ground.

Yours sincerely


DF HOCKING
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FISHERIES, COMPLIANCE AND REGIONAL RELATIONS

[CEO]

   On your behalf, ECOfishers will be taking the Mulloway and Dusky Flathead issue up with the Minister. Both species are seriously growth overfished. We don't want to be part of the problem. We will always be part of the solution!