1. APOLOGIES At the June 2008 meeting Chas Riegert tendered his apologies but this was not recorded. The Minutes will be amended.

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1 MINUTES OF THE AUSTRALIAN ANGLERS ASSOCIATION, (WA DIVISION) INC. DELEGATES MEETING Held at Sports Association WA, Stancliffe Street, Mt Lawley Tuesday 15 th July 2008 at 7.30 pm Please Note: The AAAWA AGM and Angler of the Year Awards will be held on Tuesday 19 th August at the above address from 7.00 pm. Delegates from all Affiliate Clubs are urged to attend OPEN MEETING Pat Shinnick welcomed everyone PRESENT James Strong, Denmark Angling Club & Patron Diane McDonough, Treasurer/Secretary Terry Fuller, SCAC George Holman, SCAC Joe Horvath, OSAC Beach Russell Bunce, FAAC Don Cox, Melville AC Rick Cameron, OSAC South Coastal Ian Cook, SCAC Chas Riegert, Bunbury AC Pat Shinnick, Lancelin AC 1. APOLOGIES At the June 2008 meeting Chas Riegert tendered his apologies but this was not recorded. The Minutes will be amended. 2. VISITORS Nil 3. NEW MEMBERS OR PROXIES Nil 4. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING It was moved by Don Cox, seconded James Strong that the June minutes be accepted. 5. ERRORS OR OMISSIONS FROM MINUTES Apart from the apology mentioned above, nil. 6. BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES AGM 2008 & Angler of the Year 2008 This will be held on 19 th August. The nibblies will be kindly organised by Mrs Cox, for which the delegates are very grateful, and cool drinks to be provided for attendees by the Sports Assoc WA. Submissions: DEC s Conservations Proposed changes for Steep Point and Dirk Hartog Island Pat Shinnick sought submissions and with Terry Fuller s assistance the final document was sent on behalf of the AAAWA, with reference made to the clubs who included their comments. Pat encouraged people to read the submission on the AAAWA website. The Recfishwest submission is on their website. Pat stressed that the more input an organisation has to these submissions, the more likely the chance of being included in consultations. Chas Riegert noted a situation where land down south is being administered by DEC with increased weekly camping rates and Terry commented that at the Ningaloo and Cape Range parks station owners are charging people for camping on crown land (the beach). Terry stressed the need to keep putting in submissions. Page 1

2 2. CORRESPONDENCE INWARDS From Subject 1. Fremantle Amateur Angling Club Invitation to President to attend 50 th Anniversary Dinner 2. Saltwater Angling Club Affiliation to AAAWA resignation 3. Marmion Angling & Aquatic Club Newsletters June & July Marine Coastal Community Nwork Waves Vol 14, No 2, Australian Anglers Assoc Minutes of the AGM, Audited Financial Report, AAA Records Authority Report, Phillip Island Carnival Report, Federal Executive Meeting Minutes with NZ reports as per by-laws 6(d) 6. Australian Anglers Association Invoice for Affiliation 1 st July th June Dept Environment and Cons Bushland News Winter Surfcasting and Angling Club WA I Reel Talk July CORRESPONDENCE OUTWARDS Minutes & Agenda 11. CORRESPONDENCE INWARDS (BY ) From Subject 1. Michael Currie FW: Stolen Motor 2. Carmel LANGDON Boating sub committee meeting Wed 18th 3. Carmel LANGDON debrief minutes 4. Marcia Pekaar Response to Shark Bay draft Plan (1).doc 5. Pat Shinnick Procedures to Russell Bunce 6. MediaNet Operations Fish for the Future message across the Pilbara 7. RECFISH AUST MR new CEO for recreational fishing 8. Adams, David P State record for mulloway by woman 9. MediaNet Operations False Returns Could Lead to Fines for Com Fisherman 10. MediaNet Operations New Call for Fisheries and Marine Officers 11. Ann Johnson Definition of Rock & Beach 12. Bob & Rosemary Updates Rules & By-Laws attached 13. Michael Currie Exemption for Yellowfin Bream to 300 mm 14. Michael Currie Closed fish exclusion devices lead to significant fines 15. Yvette Guy $50,000 boost for Ocean Reef Harbour plan 16. Michael Currie Minister's announcement re west coast scalefish 17. Recfish Changes to rec fishing to save vulnerable species 18. Yvette Guy New West Coast recreational fishing arrangements 19. Recfish Correction 20. Yvette Guy Casting around the internet with Recfishwest 21. Michael Currie FW: Stolen Boat 22. Terry Fuller Recfishwest report for June Delegates' meeting 23. PEMB Update Pilbara and Eighty Mile Beach marine parks and reserves planning process 24. Pat Shinnick RE: AAAWA June Minutes 25. Terry Fuller Re: Rock anchor points in the South West 26. MediaNet Operations South West Commercial Fisherman Fined $40, Pat Shinnick RE: REQUESTED MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS 28. Yvette Guy South West Commercial Fisherman fined $40, Bob Henderson AAA of WA STATE TEAM MEETING.doc 30. Bob Henderson Convention requests.doc 31. Pat Shinnick Draft Dept of Environment & Conservation Shark Bay 32. MediaNet Operations Two Fishers Nabbed After Rock Lobster Season Ends 33. Yvette Guy $3.5M infrastructure funding announced for reg WA 34. Michael Currie Distress Flare recall 35. Terry Fuller Fw: DSR Funding Acquittal to Recfishwest 36. Michael Currie Fish Ruler Reprint & Blowies 37. suzanne siranovic Association with you 38. Yvette Guy Trailer spreads the sustainable fishing message 39. Pat Shinnick Pennzoil 2 stroke oil Page 2

3 12. BUSINESS ARISING FROM CORRESPONDENCE Discussion followed about the following s: No 1 FAAC Invite, Pat to address directly with Russell. No 14 refers to closed off fishing exclusion devices on prawn nets, resulting in fines of $197,000. No 26 fisherman putting in false returns refers to a person fishing under a commonwealth licence No 32 two men were caught at Dongara with rock lobsters from the marina wharf. It was moved by Don Cox, seconded by Joe Horvath that the correspondence be accepted. 13. TREASURERS REPORT Bank statements: General Account $22, Carnival Account $ Income: Nil Bank interest (Carnival Account) $ 2.06 Bank interest (General Account) $37.34 Expenditure for approval Telstra $36.61 June Account Diane McDonough $ Secretary/Treasurer Fees AAA National Body $50.00 Affiliation Post Office $50.00 Stamps Post Office $6.50 Copy Paper. Coles $1.77 Stationery Total $ Total It was moved by Chas Riegert, seconded by George Holman that the Treasurer s report be accepted. 14. INDIVIDUAL REPORTS President s Report Pat has been attending clubs such as Bunbury, Surfcasters, Quinn s Rock and Geraldton where he has had discussions about the AAAWA, Recfishwest, etc. Graham Maunder at Geraldton AC would like to borrow the Rock & Beach trophies for photographs and the Trophy Officer will attend to this and see that they are promptly returned. Pat felt that clubs were feeling some negativity about recent changes to fishing, such as the iconic fish and he encourage them that club competitions were not affected. Pat expressed that the major concern is the public competitions where prizes are offered for these iconic fish. Clubs will need to change the way competitions are run during the closed periods and input is needed from the diverse range of clubs to assist those few that are affected, in how we can best manage events during the period, e.g. more club social events such as boat rallies that may involve club spirited competitions, points awarded, involving different ways to ensure all participants and continued growth in the clubmanship which is the AAAWA way. Discussion took place about the AAAWA s competition year, which commences 1 st August. Affiliation fee invoices will go out on 1 st August. Pat has drafted a letter which will be sent to clubs for inclusion with affiliation invoices, aimed at getting accurate membership numbers from the clubs. The Saltwater Angling Club has decided to cease its affiliation with AAAWA for financial reasons, even though they have been given offers of reduced fees. I A request for affiliation has come in from Bream Busters Club in Mandurah and they have been sent the application forms. Estuary, Rock and Beach Report Accommodation bookings have been made at the Ocean Beach Caravan Park for the September long weekend. Weigh in will between the Ocean Beach shop and the main road. Don Cox will organise the pre-registration for State Rock and Beach. Page 3

4 Boating Report Pat will attend a meeting at the Ocean Reef Sea Sports Club on 16 th July. Discussion followed about the fishing of the 5 iconic species at club and state competitions. Terry reminded delegates that the Minister has referred only to public competitions and members should not worry that their clubs will fold because they cannot have competitions. State titles have always been species based competitions. However, there is misinformation around. Just because fish are not accepted for weighin, they can still be caught and rules should specify fish what can be weighed in, not what can be caught. It was suggested that Rock, Beach and Estuary competitions be set to Fisheries bag and size limits up to a maximum number of fish. Dry Casting Report A meeting was held on 23 rd June, important points included: AAAWA State Dry Casting Championships booked for 26 th October at Yokine Reserve, nomination fees to remain the same as recent years (Registration $15; early nomination $10). The trailer to be prepared and sinkers made. Magic Nissan to be approached for sponsorship. 22 competitors have confirmed for the 2009 AAA National Convention, SA. Bob Henderson was nominated as the Convention State Team Captain and Marcia Pekaar as Treasurer. It is anticipated that the AAAWA will pay for nomination fees and possibly polo shirts and track suits. Ian Cook will investigate transportation of casting equipment to the convention and whilst in SA In response to a request from the SA Convention organisers for WA to provide the Casting Officer, it was agreed that WA will offer guidance and assistance only, as well as supplying casting weights. A letter has been drafted for AAAWA delegates approval to the Carnival Secretary. Sinker production day to be organised Convention accommodation and costs were discussed. Discussion took place about casting records and it was recommended that a request for clarification and guidelines be made to the Federal Executive Business Arising from Dry Casting Report Pat read out the proposed letter to the SA Carnival Secretary, Mrs Rosemary Hawes. Delegates approved the letter and it will be forwarded by the secretary. Recfishwest Report for AAA Delegates Meeting 15 July It was recorded that AAAWA Delegate Meeting Minutes are now being sent to Recfishwest. This has not been done in the past as it was assumed that delegates were forwarding the minutes. Pat apologised to the delegates and Recfishwest for this oversight. West Coast recreational demersal fishing management The Minister for Fisheries announced the package of changes to recreational fishing on Tuesday 24 June. A summary of the changes:- 1. The daily bag limit for Category 1 fish to be reduced from seven to four fish. 2. The daily bag limit for pink snapper to be reduced from four to two fish. 3. The size limit for pink snapper to be increased from 41cm to 45cm in October, 2008 and then from 45cm to 50cm in 2010 for the metropolitan and South-West zones only (Lancelin to Augusta). 4. A boat limit of two daily bag limits of Category 1 fish to be introduced. Where five or more fishers are on board a recreational or charter boat, an additional two Category 1 fish per person (over and above the boat limit) will be allowed for the fish and additional fishers. 5. A seasonal restriction that prohibits the take, landing and possession of the Vulnerable 5 species: dhufish, pink snapper, baldchin groper, breaksea cod and red snapper. The season will run from October 15 to December 25 in 2008, October 15 to January 31 in and October 1 to January 31 for subsequent years. 6. (a) A daily bag limit of one Category 1 fish to apply to spear fishing on compressed air. (b) The use of power assisted fishing reels to be prohibited (with exemptions for disabled fishers. 7. Discussions with fishing clubs to be initiated to discourage public fishing competitions from targeting high risk species. Page 4

5 8. The finfish possession limit to be reduced at the Abrolhos Islands Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Area to 10kg of fillets (or pieces of fish) or one day s bag limit of whole fish. The possession limit will remain in place for at least two years while a review to assess the option of managing the Abrolhos Islands as a no take away area is undertaken. 9. A voluntary logbook program to be established for Category 1 demersal fish (ocean-bottom dwelling fish), including the Vulnerable 5 species, to provide additional catch and effort information. 10. A Recreational Trust Fund to be established to enable the recreational sector to have meaningful input into determining expenditure priorities. 11. Further research to be undertaken to investigate the appropriateness of introducing large scale fish reserves or closed areas to provide protection for large numbers of fish or over an area which is particularly important to spawning. There is much more to these changes than this short summary. Implications and more details will be discussed at the Delegate s Meeting. Full details giving more important information are in Fisheries Management Paper 231, and the long awaited results of the 2005/2006 recreational boat fishing creel survey are published in Fisheries Research Report Both of those papers are essential reading for all anglers who want to be properly informed about these changes to demersal recreational fishing and the results of the public consultation. In particular, there is NO mention of any extra restrictions on ordinary non public club fishing competitions compared to what an ordinary independent recreational fisherman can catch although some of the public comments called for some restrictions. Recfishwest described the new management package for recreational anglers on the West Coast as a necessary step in the right direction in the interest of resource sustainability. The timing and length of closed seasons are critical to ensure sustainability targets are met with the least possible impact on enjoyment of fishing and businesses. Including more demersal species should be considered a realistic alternative to extended closures. More in Recfishwest media statement Where to from here? These changes are the outcome including from the more than 1350 public comments on those drafts listed in my earlier RFW reports. Cabinet and interest groups have also influenced some of the decisions. Writing the regulations to turn these into law will have some interesting challenges. Publicising and enforcing monitoring the effects of the new rules will be critical to the success of protecting the vulnerable species, the shift in fishing pressures to other species, whether the restrictions are not tight enough or are too tight, and many other questions. A $5.3million research project will provide catch monitoring (creel survey) and biological sampling to gauge the effectiveness of the management arrangements and the stock recovery of key demersal fish in the West Coast Bioregion. see page 9 of FMP 231. At present, the public doesn't know what form the research and monitoring will take, what will be done and what won't be done, how much, when, where, etc, or when and how these rules will be reviewed, what the trigger points for changes will be, etc. Those are just some of the very good questions being followed up by Recfishwest so that people don't have to make unsubstantiated guesses based on what has been done in the past, which was clearly not good enough and will have to be changed and improved. Page 5

6 Free Release Weight DVD produced. Recfishwest has produced a DVD about using the Release Weight. This DVD will be provided to Tackle Shops (while stocks last) to be given away FREE with purchases of a Release Weight. By arrangement with the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, (FRDC) the DVD also contains several video segments from "Gently does it" covering releasing several popular species of fish and general information about deep hooking and barotrauma. The DVD includes some fascinating above and underwater footage of the Release Weight in action, showing fish clearly suffering the effects of barotrauma swimming off strongly with the aid of the release weight. Recent changes to managing the recreational catch of demersal scalefish in the West Coast bioregion coupled with a changing ethos to catch and release fishing is seeing recreational fishers releasing more and more fish. It is extremely important that every fish released is correctly handled and it has been proven that the use of a Release Weight will significantly increase a fish's chance of surviving the capture. Recfishwest has made the information and videos on the DVD widely available via their website. All these videos can be downloaded and saved for viewing at any time convenient to you from Main movie:- Using the Release Weight to improve the survival of released fish, proven best practice for releasing demersal reef fish. plays for 8 minutes 40 seconds. Part 2. Manufacturing the Release Weight, plays for 2 minutes 44 seconds. By Sunset Sinkers, a local WA company. Part 3. Introduction to "Gently does it" by Andrew Ettingshausen, ("ET"), plays for 1 minute 54 seconds 1:- Flathead, plays for 2 minutes 54 seconds 2:- Black Bream, plays for 1 minute 37 seconds 3:- Deep hooking fish, plays for 1 minute 43 seconds 4:- Barotrauma, plays for 3 minutes 5:- Pink Snapper, plays for 2 minutes 38 seconds 6:- Samson Fish, plays for 2 minutes 9 seconds 7:- Barramundi, plays for 1 minute 28 seconds Expressions of Interest called for US recreational fisheries management study tour Recfishwest will be hosting a study tour following the World Recreational Fishing Conference held in Dania Beach Florida, November The study tour is supported by funding from the FRDC on behalf of the Australian Government. The Study Tour will run for 9 days directly after the Conference and will provide an opportunity to learn from American recreational fisheries management systems with a particular focus on Marine Park Planning, Stock Enhancement and Artificial Reefs. Interested people should register their interest to be a part of this study tour by completing an Expression of interest form and sending to Recfishwest by 18 August More details of the program and the form are available from Recfishwest comments on proposed changes at Steep Point and False Entrance The Recfishwest submission to the Shark Bay Terrestrial Reserves and Proposed Reserve Additions - Draft Management Plan 2007 included input from AAAWA and some clubs and club members. Full details has the AAAWA submission on this. Fish possession limits extended to anglers homes The finfish possession limit now applies to a person s place of residence, which was previously excluded. The rule is one of the interim changes announced by the Minister in September Page 6

7 RFW contacted the Fisheries Department to get clarification on the conditions under which searches of homes would be carried out. The reply was that Fisheries Officers would obtain a search warrant before searching a home. The home possession limits which include fish frames could have a major impact on the willingness of people to save fish frames for Fisheries Research. Fish frames being saved before being given to Fisheries Research should be separately wrapped and labelled and would then not be counted as part of the possession limit. Dept of Fisheries has been advised that THEY need to publicise these details to WA anglers. Casting around the Internet with Recfishwest. 35 separate issues of "Casting Around the Internet with Recfishwest" have been produced and ed to members of Recfishwest, including AAAWA which is a RFW member. Each issue has details of some new interesting fishing related articles found on the Internet. The aim of these is to inform people of some of the new things which affect recreational fishing. The emphasis is on Western Australian topics - but doesn't exclude other significant or interesting articles when we find them. The format is a heading, one or two short sentences about the contents and a clickable link for you to go and read the full article for yourself. These publications are produced as a service for Recfishwest members. The most recent up to date issues are reserved for members of Recfishwest and are ed directly to members as soon as they are produced. Older versions are placed on the Recfishwest website but are deliberately delayed by about 4 weeks. We have made it very easy for you to become a full voting member of Recfishwest and receive these by . See Recfishwest membership Recfishwest is looking after YOUR recreational fishing future. Recfishwest needs YOUR support. We would really like you to become a member, get involved and help us. Single membership costs only $20 a year, Family membership is $40.00 for two adults and two children living at home, over 65:- $10.00, Junior membership (under 18): $ You can join by post, by phone , fax , by recfish@recfishwest.org.au, in person, or fill in a website form see You need Recfishwest to look after your recreational fishing interests. Who else has the time, the knowledge, the professional approach, the realistic alternatives, the willingness and the contacts? Tell us what you think and ask us to explain anything you don't agree with - you may give new details which will change Recfishwest's decision. You are the ones who benefit when Recfishwest succeeds, or you will lose out when Recfishwest is ignored. This report has been prepared by Terry Fuller, your Recfishwest Board Member for the Australian Anglers Association working voluntarily on your behalf. Contact Terry on or terryfuller@iinet.net.au with any questions or comments. Business Arising from RFW Report Discussion followed about totally and commercially protected fish, where there is no recreationally protected fish. Pat had the impression closures were about spawning, but Terry explained that the months chosen for closure were aimed at reducing the catches and reducing mortality, a combination of measures. More research needs to take place into spawning areas. Commercial fishermen can only fish using global transmitters (enabling them to be traced by fisheries); they also have limited numbers of days for fishing. Cutbacks for commercials include less licences, reduced gear, less fishing days. George raised concerns about reduced turnover at tackle shops and charter boats. WARCO Report: No meeting. Page 7

8 Recording Officer Report Ian Cook has had five National Records approved which have been backdated. No word yet on a meeting. The next meeting on national records will be at the March convention. 15. GENERAL BUSINESS George advised that the Federal Executive have in SA have looked at tournament rules and updated them. Three rounds will be reduced to two (for that convention only). The Champion Club perpetual trophy is missing. Pat will arrange for a replacement trophy to be made with a space for adding in the previous years. The trophies for the Angler of the Year awards are all done and Rick Cameron will pick them up. George welcomed FAAC all the best for their anniversary event. 16. CLOSE MEETING 9.20 PM. NEXT MEETING Angler of the Year and AGM Tuesday 19 th August at 7.00 PM CALENDAR OF EVENTS August Fremantle Amateur Angling Club 50 th Anniversary Dinner 2 nd August AAAWA AGM & Angler of the Year 19 th August September AAAWA Delegates Meeting 16 th September State Rock & Beach Comp Walpole-Albany long weekend th September (Broke Inlet to Albany). Times TBA October AAAWA Delegates Meeting 21 st October Dry Casting Comp at Yokine Reserve, Sunday 26 th October November AAAWA Delegates Meeting 18 th November State Estuary Comp November th (normal weekend) Walpole Estuary. Times TBA December AAAWA Delegates Meeting 16 th December 2009 March-April National Angling Championships and Convention Copper Coast at Wallaroo (SA) 21 st March-3 rd April 2009 March th State Boating Championships Cockburn (to be confirmed) 2010 March st State Boating Championships Run by MAAC (to be confirmed) Events can be added to this Calender by contacting the Secretary: Australian Anglers Association (WA Division) Inc PO Box 2200 Marmion WA 6020 aaawa@iinet.net.au Tel: Page 8