The closures of selected estuaries to commercial net fishing for barramundi has motivated many discussions about what this provides for recreational fishers. Many believe ‘recreational only’ fishing areas provide better quality fishing, with more and larger barramundi and other species caught. However, at this time there are no data to support or refute these claims.

To address this issue, Masters student Renae Partridge is commencing a study through the CRC Reef Research Centre and James Cook University, to examine and describe the catch quality of the recreational and charter line fisheries in local estuaries. By recording the catch of recreational and charter fishers in local estuaries (some of which are recreational only, others commercially fished), Renae will document whether more fish or larger individuals are captured from estuaries that are closed to commercial fishers.

Relevant Research:

Recent research surveys by Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries (QDPI) and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), found more barramundi in ‘recreational only’ estuaries. However, as researchers used nets to survey the fish numbers, the question remains: “Do the differences in fish number translate into better quality line fishing?” To address this question Renae will survey the line catches of recreational and charter fishers throughout the local area.

Research Plan:

·         Information about catch will be collected from willing recreational and charter fishers fishing in local estuaries (from Ayr to Cardwell, including Hinchinbrook) over the next two years;

·         Tag data will be sourced from ANSA/Suntag;

·         Questionnaires will examine the attitudes and perceptions of recreational fishers about fishing locations and current management regimes;

·         There will be an independent, structured fishing survey that centres on set tide and moon phases in specific estuaries and locations;

·         Historic catch records will be examined from the Hinchinbrook channel, from before and after the implementation of the Dugong Protection Areas (DPAs). This will investigate the effect of the DPAs on line fishing quality. Further catch data will also be collected from the area for the duration of the study.

This research is not possible without you!

How you can help:

·         Contact Renae (details below) and ask her to send you data sheets that you can fill out when you go fishing. The more data the better, and remember that no catch is still data!

·         Spread the word! Let your friends and fishing clubs know about the project and ask them to contact Renae for more information and data sheets.

·         Complete questionnaires when you come across them in your local area. These will be conducted at boat ramps, fishing shows/expos, and may be found in selected tackle shops. Just look for the barramundi at the top of the page!

·         Dig out your old fishing diaries and see if you have any historic data for the area that may be useful.

All data received will be strictly confidential. Information will be stored and presented so that they are not attributed to any person or operation.

This project will help to understand issues of resource allocation and sharing of the valuable local estuarine fishery. Your participation and honesty is vital for it’s success. The research is highly dependent on the continued support of recreational and charter fishers. So, if you line fish in north Queensland estuaries, contact Renae and ask her for more information and a logbook!

Contact details:

Renae Partridge

CRC Reef Research Centre

c/- James Cook University

Townsville  4811

Ph: 07 4781 5196

Fax 07 4781 4099

E-mail: renae.partridge@jcu.edu.au