The much-anticipated bluefin tuna run has finally arrived off the Far South Coast with fish to 168kg caught off Narooma and Bermagui over the past week. Remember the recent and common-sense bag-limit change of one fish per person. Narooma boats Nitro and PlayStation were right in the action on the weekend with fish in the 30-45kg range swimming around the boat for a couple of hours, both boats managed 20 odd fish each, releasing most!
The boys from Narooma Ocean Hut Compleat Angler meanwhile spent the weekend terrorizing Tuross Lake but after two days and a total of 15 hours fishing, they only ended up with 15 legal sized fish. But a 75cm big girl caught after 999 casts made it seem worth all the effort.
There are reports of estuary perch at Moruya Bridge but remember catch and release only this time year. Try for squid at South Head and Congo. The usual bream around the Tuross oyster leases and flathead at Four Ways, while there have been good snapper both of Potato Point and also down at the Bermagui reefs.
DPI Fisheries are calling for more Fishcare volunteers particularly on the South Coast. Volunteers are not expected to commit all their time but to assist whenever possible with fishing education events on a flexible arrangement. If any community member is interested please give Max Castle from Tuross a call on 4473 8186. Max is also keen to here for anyone on the possible rock-fishing locations for new angel ring devices, so give him a call.
Member for Bega Andrew Constance has advised that applications are now open for round 2 of the NSW Boating Program which is set to commit $17 million to improve boating facilities across NSW. Community groups are invited to submit applications for funding.
A recent compliance operation in Snowy Mountains has found the majority of recreational trout fishers doing the right thing. DPI’s Director of Fisheries Compliance, Patrick Tully said Fisheries officers inspected more than 800 anglers on the Thredbo and Eucumbene rivers, with only six per cent of recreational fishers found to be either without a fishing licence, in possession of undersize fish, exceeding the daily bag limit or using bait in fly and lure only waters. Trout streams are now closed until the October long weekend.
DPI has been working with NSW National Parks and Snowy Hydro to implement new vehicle arrangements for the Eucumbene River at the Denison camping area. “Fishers were extremely positive about the new arrangements and problems seen in previous years, such as vehicles driving across spawning beds causing environmental damage, were not reported this year,” Mr Tully said.
Stan Gorton
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
