DAFF Media Release - Dam fishers hook ‘al-luring’ prizes

[Fisheries Queensland]

Queensland Government
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Fisheries Queensland

Media Release
22 May 2012

Dam fishers hook ‘al-luring’ prizes

Two couples who purchased Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS) permits are now better equipped to catch ‘the big one’ at their favourite freshwater dams.

Deane and Jane Farrell from Warwick, and Liam Barry and Stephanie Abell from Biloela, each won a fishing rod and lure prize pack worth $250 by simply purchasing a permit during Fisheries Queensland’s SIPS competition.

Fisheries Queensland’s SIPS coordinator Jenny Keys said that other keen fishers needn’t wait for a competition to purchase a permit – many of the dams involved in the scheme were full and ready to be fished.

“Iconic freshwater species such as barramundi, Australian bass, golden perch and Murray cod are being caught at many of the 32 dams on the scheme,” she said.

“In the southeast, catches of 20 bass in a single session have been reported, while SIPS fishers have been reeling in consistent catches of Murray cod in the north and west.

“Many residents or holiday-makers will have access to one or more of the dams on the scheme, which are ideally positioned in all regions of the state.”

Ms Keys said buying a permit contributed to the cost of restocking the dams and helped sustain native fish stocks.

“Seventy-five per cent of permit sales go towards restocking the dam of your choice,” she said.

"The local economy also benefits from visitors to the area. Most of these dams have great facilities where you can camp, buy bait or fishing gear and swap tips with the locals."

Permits cost just $36.05 for one year or $32.40 for concession card holders and can easily be purchased online at www.fisheries.qld.gov.au or by calling 13 25 23. You can also browse the list of agents that sell the permits by visiting the Fisheries Queensland website.

Latest fisheries information is also available via Twitter or Facebook.

[finga]

First of all thank you for posting on this website forum. It is very much welcomed.
It would be very good of you if you could please keep us up to date as to what is happening within our common interest (known as going fishing) if at all possible.

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Gees I bet your glad you were not called Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Trees.

And thanks for running the competition. Any incentive for people to buy these permits has to be a good thing.
As a matter of interest how many inspectors actually check to see if we have a permit when needed, and what area do they cover?

Thanks then
Alfred

[choppa]

Who is covered by the permit?

Those under 18 years of age do not require a permit, and one permit covers a married/de facto couple. This enables family fishing outings under the one permit.
Your partner must be your married or de facto partner - it does not include your mate.



Do reminders get issued when the permit is due to be renewed?

Yes. Reminder postcards are sent out to yearly permit holders to let them know their permit is about to expire.


Do you need a permit to catch redclaw crayfish?

No, you only need a permit if using a fishing line or set line. You don't need a permit if you are only using traps.


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I think the above FAQ's from your website is also worth a mention,, and IMO the only drawback that is not included, would be any updates to rules or regulations to be included in your Reminder Postcards


Also, your website states that there are 32 dams that these permits cover,, but I can't locate any advice on there locality, (It may be because I haven't had my morning coffee yet?)

[finga]

Also, your website states that there are 32 dams that these permits cover,, but I can't locate any advice on there locality, (It may be because I haven't had my morning coffee yet?)

Drink up Chop.
Just scroll down from here a bit to find the dams.
They're listed and mapped. Quite useful actually.
http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/28_13268.htm

[Fisheries Queensland]

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers regularly undertake patrol activities at stocked impoundments throughout Queensland. As a part of their normal duties, the officers inspect fishers for stocked impoundment permits.

[finga]

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers regularly undertake patrol activities at stocked impoundments throughout Queensland. As a part of their normal duties, the officers inspect fishers for stocked impoundment permits.

We all know the Officers do a terrific job and we'd all like to see more of them on dams (as well as elsewhere) but they're stretched to regularly cover the areas they have to cover. The areas are huge for the few staff that police the rules.
Has there been any thoughts in training volunteers in becoming interim sort of officers that can only check things like current permits, fish sizes/types and bag sizes??
Most dams that require permits have a stocking association or the like and a few select people could be chosen to be trained. These people have already shown a love of their dam by volunteering to be part of the restocking associations.

Cheers Alfred.

[Fisheries Queensland]

We all know the Officers do a terrific job and we'd all like to see more of them on dams (as well as elsewhere) but they're stretched to regularly cover the areas they have to cover. The areas are huge for the few staff that police the rules.
Has there been any thoughts in training volunteers in becoming interim sort of officers that can only check things like current permits, fish sizes/types and bag sizes??
Most dams that require permits have a stocking association or the like and a few select people could be chosen to be trained. These people have already shown a love of their dam by volunteering to be part of the restocking associations.

Cheers Alfred.

Volunteers already undertake educational activities on behalf of the Department through the Fishcare Volunteer Program. Whilst there have been honorary inspectors in the past, there are no plans to provide fisheries authorities to volunteers at this time.

[finga]

Volunteers already undertake educational activities on behalf of the Department through the Fishcare Volunteer Program. Whilst there have been honorary inspectors in the past, there are no plans to provide fisheries authorities to volunteers at this time.

Well that's a shame.
You have a band of well trained and dedicated volunteers who see fisheries rules broken near any day that they care to take notice and no power to do anything about it.

I reckon on any day of the week I cold drive through the centre of our small community and only 1 in 5 people would have a permit let alone worrying about capture size/bag limits or any other infringement they're possibly committing.
Any area in QLD where you need a SIP permit would be the same.

The reality is if I don't have a permit or have undersized fish or too many fish in my creel or freezer I have next to no chance of getting pinged for it especially so if I don't fish public holidays.