UNEMPLOYMENT may be rising, but not among anglers, because Fisheries Victoria has work for you.
It is unpaid but the rewards can be great in helping to sustain our fish stocks.
I mentioned a few weeks back that keeping a diary has many benefits.
Now, scientists from the Fisheries Victoria research branch are encouraging dedicated recreational fishers to become volunteer angler diarists and help monitor valuable fisheries.
Fisheries executive director Peter Appleford said angler diarists collected information about spawning success, growth, survival and catch trends, which helped with sustainable management of fish stocks.
"Equipped with special diaries and rulers, anglers use their fishing gear and fishing knowledge to turn normal fishing trips into valuable research expeditions," he said.
"Diarists record what they catch, where they catch it and how long they fish for."
The Victoria angler diary program has been running for more than 15 years.
Due to its success, it is expanding and needs the help of experienced anglers who fish regularly and have the commitment to record their catches in a detailed diary.
Information about under-size fish has been valuable, especially for snapper and bream fisheries.
Fisheries is especially interested in engaging with Port Phillip Bay anglers who look for snapper, King George whiting or flathead.
"Angler diarists who fish for snapper near Beaumaris, Sandringham and Frankston, are needed to help determine the effectiveness of trial artificial reefs, which are scheduled for deployment in 2009," Dr Appleford said.
"We are also looking for anglers who fish for black bream in Lake Tyers, estuary perch in Anderson Inlet, and Murray cod and yellowbelly in Lake Mulwala."
People interested in becoming angler diarists, or wanting to know more about Fisheries Victoria's angler diary program, can phone Daniel Grixti at the Fisheries Research Branch on (03) 5258 0111 or email Daniel.grixti@dpi.vic.gov.au
Rock fishing safety
LIFE Saving Victoria is seeking help from recreational anglers on the views about the safety of rock fishing.
Due to the increase of rock fishing fatalities in 2005-06 along a concentrated area of Victoria's coastline, LSV along with other agencies, instigated a Don't Put Your Life on the Line campaign, similar to a program in NSW.
If you regularly do rock fishing or have in the past, you should consider participating.
For details, go to Life Saving Victoria.
Eildon survey
INTERVIEWS with about 4000 anglers in a 12-month period at Eildon Pondage reveal that 36 per cent of the stocked brown trout and 48 per cent of the stocked rainbow trout were caught.
The recapture rates are among the highest of any Victorian trout fishery, which is great news for freshwater anglers.
The information comes from a survey funded by a $59,000 grant from the Recreational Fishing Licence Grant Program.
The survey found:
- Most trout were caught within the first few months of release, although some remained in the fishery for up to 18 months.
- Some tagged fish swam out of the pondage and were then caught in the Goulburn River downstream.
- Most anglers interviewed were inexperienced, claiming to fish less than once a month.
- Most anglers were male, with 23 per cent most under 18 or older than 70.
- The most common method in the Pondage was bait (60 per cent).
- Many Anglers used a combination of methods (24 per cent) or lure (14 per cent).
- Anglers using lures or bait achieved the highest catch rates.
- Steve Cooper can be heard on the Casting Off program on Radio Sport927 between 4.30am and 6.30am on Saturdays.
