Anglers urged to have say
What a week it has been in fishing, especially with the South being locked down for the earlier part of this week. The fish had a break, but hopefully everyone can now get back into it.
This lifting of restrictions is in time to be involved in a survey to determine whether we should have a reduction in catch limits for commercial and recreational sectors for calamari.
Now call me cynical, but it seems that from what I have heard and seen that a decision has probably already been made over this matter and this is a “feel good” exercise.
Groups that are funded by government are supposedly pushing back against changes but again, I have some reservations.
It will be interesting to see the outcomes, but in the meantime have a look at the survey, have your say and let us see what develops.
Calamari fishers are being asked to comment on options for possible changes to how Tasmania’s calamari fishery is managed. The fishery is facing increased fishing pressure from the recreational and commercial sectors and is impacted by changing environmental conditions.
Calamari stocks have been assessed as depleting for the past three years by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies and, according to the government, require new management controls.
A discussion paper has been released that puts forward possible management options to meet stock sustainability targets. Commercial and recreational fishers and the broader community are asked to read the paper and complete the relevant survey on the options proposed.
The options for possible changes include: introducing limited licences to the commercial fishery, and reducing catch limits for recreational fishers.
Apparently, this is an informal feedback stage to gain early involvement from the broader fishing community. The discussion paper can be found at: https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/ Calamari-Discussion-PaperOct-2021.pdf
and the actual survey for recreational anglers is available at: https:// www.surveymonkey.com/r/ RecCalamari
The commercial sector can fill the survey out at: https:// www.surveymonkey.com/r/ CommercialCalamari
Devonport or the NorthWest Coast is the “hot spot” for bluefin tuna.
Last week, a 146kg bluefin was taken in 30m of water off Devonport and another two big fish were also caught.
A group from the Tamar River area also were hooked into a big fish last Friday evening, but it was lost alongside.
There are apparently vast amounts of bait in the area and these include small school couta and large schools of Australian salmon.
Dee and Penstock lagoons are also firing with excellent hatches of duns and midges plus a few early gum beetles when warm wind blows in.
In Dee, Station Bay is fishing really well with some good rainbow being taken on bladed lures from boats. Penstock, as usual, is fishing very well, too, with the dam being full to overflowing. Boating activity at Penstock can be hectic and as it is a fly fishing water only, plenty of distance should be given to other anglers.
One angler fishing from here last weekend managed a huge brown trout which kept him busy for 15 minutes. The trout was taken on a muddler minnow, which is a good allrounder for early season mudeye feeders. The fish was photographed and released.
Early season caddis moths are also being found and a replica should get anglers among fish.
The hot spot for this week would have to be Talbots Lagoon in the North West where some good fish have been taken on the Hueys Jungle Lure.