7 replies to this topic

[glen]

Hi guys,

For the Victorians amongst us please note that new fishing regulations are about to commence on 2 March 2009.

here is a summary of the main changes that I found on the fisheries website. It is in PDF format. (about 600kb)

Attached Files

•  Fact_sheet___New_recreational_Fisheries_Regulations_from_2_March_2009.pdf   683.2K   227 downloads

[ru 12 mug]

Glen
we have new bullsheet rules coming into place on the 1st of march up here too.
they are closing 16% of the bay to green zones but 85% of those green zones are where a lot of people fish.
thanks to the underhanded tactics of the green party's preference votes and the EPA we all got screwed.
mind you though the EPA has allowed the dredging of a green zone for the airport runway to be constructed...BLOWJOB!!
thank phark I don't fish in those areas that are being shut down as there are plenty of other places to fish that have not been shut.
RU 12 MUG ...not me  

[bluewaterhunter]

Glen
what is the problem with the regulations here in Vic?

i know there is debate in NSW, but there is no regulation closing 50 per cent of the coast to fishing here in Vic!!

also no change to squid rules.

Cheers

Blue.

[glen]

hi blue, there are not any major problems with the regulations as far as i know. there is still the regulation in there about a hand spear having no more than 2 prongs which is a bit of a joke given that you can still apparently use a Hawaiian sling with multiple prongs (which is technically a spear gun). I think they should just remove the 2 prong restriction since it seems unnecessary.

otherwise, i don't think the new regs are much different to the old ones. i don't have any particular concerns about them.

we already went through the marine parks phase several years ago where we lost quite a few fishing areas. sounds like this is now happening up in your area.

cheers, glen

[bluewaterhunter]

Hi Glen
you are right about the no more than two barbless prongs on a hand spear rule.

It is odd to say the least.

I believe it is because of flounder and the notion that undersize will survive if only speared by two barbless prongs.

You may have a better answer?

Cheers

Blue.

[glen]

I think the number of fish that escape and then die after get speared by a barbed cluster spear are very low. I don't think it has ever happened to me. Either I miss the fish completely because they run away or I get them. Therefore yes I think the 2 prong idea is not necessary.

Also, you can't even buy a 2 prong spear in Victoria even if you wanted to! No fishing shop that I am aware of actually sells them. They only sell Hawaiian slings with multi pronged (and barbed) spear heads.

Cheers, Glen

[Steeny]

RU12

At least you dont need a license yet (except in impoundments).  They could start charging you, and still shut down the zones like they have in vic.  In the end, the greenies are always going to win.  I'm still dont understand how someone can need six rods on the river either.

anyway, most interesting in VIC is like Glen mentioned.  Its amazing that a hawaiian sling counts as a spear gun, even if you don't use it as such.  I think sometimes barbless would be good though, it can be bloody hard to get those flounder off sometimes.    

Probably about time they closed down the freshwater crays in the rivers they did too, i've never seen more than wee little babies.  wont be long before they close down the murray crays too I expect.  I've fished em and eaten em in the past, but can bring myself to take a 20 year old cray for the tiny mouthful of meat that you get anymore.  Maybe i'm just getting old.

[glen]

yep i filed the barbs back a little so they don't hold too well otherwise the fish never gets off the spear!!