Fishing Australia

Aboriginal fishing information online
The NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) has updated its website to include information on Aboriginal Fishing in NSW. Peter Turnell, NSW DPI Director Recreational and Indigenous fisheries said the new online information reflects the recent changes to formally recognise cultural fishing under the Fisheries Management Act 1994.

“The object of the new online information is to educate and build awareness of Aboriginal fishing in NSW and the importance of fishing to cultural and economic life of coastal and inland Aboriginal communities in NSW,” Mr Turnell said.

“The new web pages include information on cultural fishing, which is defined in the Fisheries Management Act 1994 to mean fishing activities and practices carried out by Aboriginal persons for the purpose of satisfying their personal, domestic or communal needs, or for educational or ceremonial purposes or other traditional purposes, and which do not have a commercial purpose.

“The new web pages also include information on legislation relating to Aboriginal fishing, Native Title and Indigenous Land Use Agreements, Aboriginal participation in commercial fishing and aquaculture, the Indigenous Fishing Strategy, Indigenous fisheries research and the newly formed Aboriginal Fishing Advisory Council.”

Danny Chapman, Chair of the Aboriginal Fishing Advisory Council, said the Aboriginal Fishing Advisory Council was established in late 2010 to provide advice to the Minister on issues affecting Aboriginal fishing interests.

“The Council has already begun its important work in the development of cultural fishing policy, and will continue to play an important role in exploring commercial opportunities for Aboriginal communities associated with fishing activities,” Mr Chapman said.

The NSW Government continues to seek to protect and enhance the traditional cultural fishing activities of Aboriginal communities, and ensure Aboriginal involvement in the stewardship of fisheries resources.

The new web pages are available at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries

Why angle at Wyangala?
Wyangala Dam is set to receive its first substantial boost of rainbow trout in almost a decade with 50,000 fingerlings to be stocked over the coming months, Member for Burrinjuck and Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson said today. Ms Hodgkinson said 10,000 rainbow trout fingerlings will be released into the iconic waterway by Dutton Trout Hatchery staff today. The fingerlings, produced at the NSW Government's Dutton Trout Hatchery at Ebor and the Gaden Trout Hatchery at Jindabyne, represent the first in the series of stockings this year.

"Wyangala Dam used to be a great trout fishery however due to years of drought, very little trout stocking has occurred over the past decade,” Katrina Hodgkinson said.

"During this time, there has been a focus on native fish stocking and the dam has gained the reputation as a fantastic native fishery.

"With the dam level now close to capacity we are hoping to create a mixed fishery where anglers can get the best of both worlds with quality trout and native fish on offer.”

Ms Hodgkinson said Wyangala Dam is the jewel in the crown of the central west, with a catchment area of 8,300 square kilometres and a dam capacity of more than 1.2 million megalitres.

“The surface area of the dam is two and a half times the size of Sydney Harbour.

“The release of 50,000 rainbow trout fingerlings over the coming months will be further boosted with planned releases of an additional 60,000 Murray cod and 50,000 golden perch over summer.

The trout and native fish stocking programs are funded in part by money raised by the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee and placed into the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust.

See you on the water.
Rob Paxevanos