THE BRIBIE ISLAND |
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THE BRIBIE ISLAND |
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PUMICESTONE PASSAGE SPORTFISH
TAGGING PROGRAMME
This Project has been completed
successfully and this
information is presented for historic purposes.
A Proposal to Generate Funds to Support Increased Knowledge
of Popular Fish Species in Pumicestone Passage
Prepared on behalf of:
The Bribie Island Sportfishing Club Inc
Redcliffe Peninsula Sportfishing Club Inc
Sunshine Coast Sportfishing Club Inc
Pumicestone Angling Club Inc
August 1996
Background
Participation
Objective
Benefits of the
Programme to the Local Economy
Cost of the Project
Pumicestone Passage was closed to commercial fishing approximately twelve months ago. Since that time it has developed into an even greater recreational fishing venue. ANSA Qld is interested in increasing our knowledge of those species of fish common in the passage that are popular with recreational anglers.
Currently there is scant information on the lifecycle of many of these species. To increase our knowledge of these important recreational fishing species ANSA Qld conducts a Sportfish Tagging Programme whereby fish are tagged and then released by our members. The programme is gathering a very extensive data base of Queensland fish species that is heavily relied upon by Fisheries Researchers and scientists. The Bribie Island Sportfishing Club is endeavouring to conduct a specific tagging project of fish in Pumicestone Passage and needs to raise funds for the purchase of the tags needed for this project.
Click on the image to see a larger version Liz Ward with a tagged flathead. Members of the Bribie Island Sportfishing Club, Redcliffe Peninsula Sportfishing Club, Sunshine Coast Sportfishing Club and Pumicestone Angling Club will participate in the tagging of these fish. These clubs are all members of the Australian National Sportfishing Association, Queensland Branch Inc.
The programme will be co-ordinated by the Sportfish Tagging Programme Co-Ordinator, Mr Bill Sawynok, through the Sportfish Tagging Programme. A copy of this Programme’s last annual report is enclosed for your perusal. As can be seen, this is a quality report and demonstrates the level of professionalism that is undertaken by the Sportfish Tagging Programme.
We have set as our objective the tagging of ten thousand (10,000) fish in Pumicestone Passage over the next three years. With the proposed participation rate of members as set out above this is a very achievable target. The current recapture rate which is approaching ten percent (10%), should quickly start to provide valuable data on fish movements, growth rates and population densities of the more popular species available in Pumicestone Passage. To achieve this we need to raise money for the purchase of the tags which currently cost approximately sixty cents each.
The species to be targetted include bream, whiting, flathead, tailor and luderick. Species likely to be added as the programme progresses may include mangrove jack, estuary cod and mulloway. These are all popular species amongst recreational anglers and are the main fish that the average fisher person visiting Pumicestone Passage is likely to catch.
Anglers who capture a tagged fish and submit the details of their capture receive a certificate from ANSA Qld setting out full details of the history of that fish. The person who tagged the fish also gets a certificate. These certificates have proved to be very popular amongst those who have received one and has led to many anglers applying to participate further in the scheme. An actual certificate is enclosed showing typical data gained by the recapture of a tagged fish.
Benefits of the Programme to the Local Economy
State Government figures state that there are approximately 800,000 recreational anglers in Queensland and that 300,000 of these live in the South East corner. Many of these anglers would visit Pumicestone Passage for the purposes of fishing. It is generally agreed that the Passage currently receives around 100,000 angling visits per year, and this could be expected to increase as publicity about the quality of recreational fishing in Pumicestone Passage improves.
This publicity will generate increased visitation to the Caboolture Shire with the growing interest in eco-tourism. This will benefit local business through monies spent by these visitors. This money will come in from spending on everything from accommodation, food, fuel, bait, fishing tackle, real estate, entertainment, motor vehicles and other general spending etc. during these visits. Word of mouth about the improved fishing and other facilities within the Caboolture Shire Council’s area of responsibility will result in a greater influx of visitors and tourists in the coming years.
The Council’s support of this local project would only serve to enhance the Council’s image as being environmentally responsible in this ever-increasing eco-sensitive political environment.
As stated previously, it costs ANSA Qld 60 cents to purchase each tag used in the programme. Administrative costs, including maintaining the data base, preparation of certificates, postage, maintaining the 1-800 tag return line, plus telephone calls to obtain follow up data add a further $1.50 to each tag, a total of $2.10 per tag. This gives an anticipated total project cost of $21,000.00.
