It’s a bloomin’ nuisance

THIS year’s recreational lobster season, which is due to open on November 18, looks like it may be delayed because of high levels of toxic blooms, particularly along the East Coast.

Scientists are concerned at the very high levels and have indicated that the bloom will linger and take a long time to clear, particularly if the mussels, oysters and rock lobsters feed on them.

The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment has indicated that sampling of eastern rock lobsters for toxins will start by the end of this month.

A DPIPWE spokesman said last week that if monitoring detected excessive toxin levels in rock lobsters, appropriate management actions would be put in place.

The spokesman said the commercial and recreational sectors would be informed of any measures before or during the scheduled seasons. Season’s greetings IN good news for anglers, the northern calamari season is now open. The same applies along the North-West Coast.

However, upper South-East Coast waters, including Great Oyster Bay and Mercury Passage, are closed for calamari fishing from October 15 to November 14 inclusive each year.

The striped trumpeter season opens on November 1 and fishers are excited at the prospect of getting among this toothsome table fish this year.

Good spots to try include the Eddystone Patch and Flinders Island, plus Merricks at St Helens, where a good spot can be found at latitude 4121646, longitude 14837723. Stocks on the rise THE Inland Fisheries Service has been extremely busy of late.

Last week it stocked three important fisheries with large rainbow trout averaging 5kg. The waters stocked were Craigbourne Dam, Brushy Lagoon and Lake Kara.

Each water received 300 fish, and will provide excellent fishing.

They will also complement many of our other popular fisheries that are performing very well.

Special thanks go to Huon Aquaculture and Springfield Fisheries for making these fish available.

If any further fish become available from the commercial hatcheries, the IFS will look at stocking again before Christmas if the conditions are favourable.

The service tries to avoid stocking fish when the weather becomes too hot, because elevated water temperatures affect their welfare.

I received some pictures of some big fish last week.

One lucky angler had an awesome day at Lake Crescent, with eight fish being caught on the one lure (until he lost the lure). The largest fish weighed 3.5kg.

Other waters that are fishing well, particularly with active shrimp beds, are Laughing Jack Lagoon and Bronte Chain, which are both well-stocked waters.

Another angler told me of catching some of the large Atlantic salmon present in Lake Barrington.

The salmon were full of small fish, presumed to be young trout, but one larger fish had a whole river blackfish in its gut. Part of the plan THE draft plan for inland fisheries management for the period from 2018 to 2028 was released last week.

This is an opportunity for anglers and stakeholders to provide input that will be incorporated into the Tasmanian Inland Recreational Fishery Management Plan 2018-28.

A public meeting will be held at the Great Lake Community Centre at Miena at 6pm on November 17 to discuss elements of the plan.

For inquiries about the draft plan or to arrange a presentation at your club or association meeting, please phone Tim Farrell on 61653805 or email tim.farrell@ifs.tas.gov.au