The Latest on Water Saver in Harcourt

For those that do not know; Water Saver is a chemical that is supposed to stop water evaporation on lakes by covering the entire lake surface with a lime based powder. Coliban Water was the first to test this hazardous chemical on Harcourt Reservoir late last year. A hopper was placed out in the middle of the lake which slowly released this white powder creating a film over the surface and a complete eyesore along the shoreline.

The major concern at the time was many fishermen were catching trout and redfin that bled the moment they were picked up. The Second concern was the lakes insects which could not break through the surface film to complete their life cycle. This chemical could have easily wipe out many insect species that many fish and other wildlife highly depend on.

Coliban Water received many complaints and made the decision to have the trout in the lake tested to see if any affects were found in the trout from this chemical. Just recently I had an unconfirmed report that toxins were found in the trout of a high level.

At some stage the hopper was removed and things returned back to normal. However a new sign was placed near the Harcourt shoreline indicating that water saver will again be used on the lake.

This concerned me greatly so I rang Coliban Water and asked them what there intentions were with water saver this year. A Mr Neil Burns said that they were yet to make a decision on its use, due to the affects on the lakes insects.

I told Neil about the toxins found in the trout to which he said he had not heard anything about the results of the test, and would get back to me on this report and to what finial decision is made on the use of water saver.

Lets hope common sense prevails and they put a stop to its use.

Bruce Smith

9:35 PM - 2/11/2007 - comments {0} - post comment

Once Again our Traditional Values Are Being challenged.

DATE: 22/08/2007

The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) recently released the River Redgum Forests Investigation Draft Proposals Paper for public comment.

The draft proposals paper recommends many changes along identified areas of the Murray River, regional wetlands and rivers. These proposed changes if implemented will affect the traditional rights and values of many recreational fishers and the camping community. Current President of the Association Rob Loats said, “Anglers in the region fully supported the issues identified in the recent VRFish media release and also indicated support for adequate environmental water delivery and the protection of woody habitat in wetlands and riverine system linkages, as both are vital for the recruitment and protection of all native fish, especially icon species like the Murray Cod.”

Rob also indicated he has been overwhelmed with calls from extremely concerned recreational anglers and the wider regional community who have made it clear, the traditional aesthetic value and social well being associated with camping and the communities traditional right to enjoy a campfire must never be extinguished.

“‘Just imagine’ camping in a proposed Park or Conservation Reserve during cold weather conditions ‘

Other concerns raised by the regional angling community have been proposed recommendations targeted towards restricted access to visit and camp in proposed Murray River Parks, Conservation Reserves and National Parks that fail to have a fully detailed area based management plan, possible restrictions to launch a boat, failure to recognise the social/economic value of fishing in the study area, restricting visitation and access in recommended National Parks and Nature Conservation Reserves, and no recognition that the current management policies, if adequately resourced and enforced would prevent many of the current impacts identified in the paper.

Without a Campfire’ and the ability to cook up a damper or enjoy a hot camp oven meal, cooked over the coals of a warm fire while enjoying the tranquil surrounds of the mighty Murray River! ‘Clearly not the traditional Lucky Country as we currently know it’.”

“Wood is a renewable resource, camping is an Australian tradition, so why leave the fishing and camping community out in the COLD”?

1:59 PM - 22/8/2007 - comments {0} - post comment

MONTHLY REPORT FROM THE VR FISH

• Boat Show Edition – This is VRFish’s first time promoting ourselves at the Melbourne Boat Show, and we are very pleased to be participating. Recreational fishing has very close synergies with boating activities and we expect many of our constituents to be present at the show. For a long time VRFish, along with the Boating Industry Association of Victoria, has been lobbying the Government for improvements to our boating facilities and infrastructure. This battle is still raging, but we feel the message is starting to get through. If you are at the show, don’t forget to come over and say hello.

• They’re Finished! – It’s been a long time coming but we have finally completed the bag and size limit review. VRFish has greatly appreciated everyone’s comments. The VRFish Recommendations have been submitted along with our submission to the ‘Review of Fisheries Regulations 1998 – Discussion Paper on Key Issues for Consultation’. Check out our submission at http://www.vrfish.com.au/Submissions.htm. However the review of the Fisheries Regulations is not complete yet. Next stage is the release of the Regulatory Impact Statement which is due out in August 2007.

• Panel Hearing – As you are aware submissions have closed for the Port of Melbourne Channel Deepening Project Supplementary Environmental Effects Statement. VRFish has made a submission and have been elected to be heard Thursday 19 July 2007. VRFish will be represented by Bob Pearce and Doug Evers-Buckland.

• Westernport Update – Since the 2006 Election, many of you have been wondering about the Labour Governments’ announcement about the creation of a new ‘Recreational Fishing Haven’ in Westernport Bay by banning all commercial netting. Here is an update on the progress on this electoral promise for your information – negotiations are currently happening with the commercial fishers. It is anticipated that Cabinet approval will be sought in August 2007, with the whole process completed and new regulations in place by 1 April 2008 (which coincides with the new commercial fishing licence year).

• Virus is Spreading – VRFish has received reports that the ganglioneuritis virus has now spread into the Central Zone. A recent report has advised that the virus has spread to Childers Cove about 15km east of Warrnambool. This is concerning news to recreational divers, as it was thought that the virus was only heading west. Should you wish to learn more about the Abalone Disease or about the biosecurity protocols check out www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing.

• Devilbend Update – Parks Victoria have finally confirmed that VRFish nominee, Tom Camp will be participating on the Devilbend Reserve Advisory Group, with the first meeting to occur in mid July. This is an exciting stage in the planning process. If you are interested in keeping informed on the progress of the Devilbend Reserve, contact Parks Victoria on 13 19 63 and register for their mailing list.

• River Red Gum Forests Investigation – It’s been some time since we last reported on the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council’s (VEAC) Investigation into River Red Gum Forests; however the draft proposals paper is to be released on 19 July. VEAC will be running a series of community forums in the Murray district – if you are interested in attending, details of venues will be made available on www.veac.vic.gov.au. VEAC will be calling for submissions to the proposals paper.

• It’s Open – well after five years of being closed, the Lake Tyers entrance is open! The recent rains in East Gippsland has resulted in a natural opening of the sand bar, some reports have said the opening is 200m wide. It’s amazing what a little rain can do.

• Desalination Plant – Recently it was announced that the proposed Victorian desalination plant would be built in the Wonthaggi area. VRFish had concerns about the location of the desalination plant in either Port Phillip or Westernport Bays having negative impacts on fish stocks but this possibility now seems to be ruled out. It would appear that the desalination plant will be modelled on the 45 gigalitre Kwinana plant currently operating 45 km south of Perth. There is anecdotal information available that the Perth plant is having few negative effects on recreational fishers in the area. Whilst this is of some comfort VRFish will be conducting a watching brief on this proposal to ensure that international best practice is followed to minimise impacts on fish stocks.

• Upcoming events -
o 5-9/7 – Melbourne Boat Show
o 6/7 – VRFish Board Meeting @ Marine House, South Melbourne
o 7/7 – VRFish State Council Meeting @ Marine House, South Melbourne

2:03 PM - 15/7/2007 - comments {0} - post comment

The King Parrot Creek Flows Again

Recent heavy rainfall may have produced a flow to the King Parrot Creek . So yesterday I made a point of visiting the Creek while on my way to the Goulburn River and delightfully discovered the creek to be slowly flowing. 

It was great to hear its gurgling flow and see it come back to life. Instead of a lifeless dry stream-bed it has been for the past few months. During these months the middle and upper sections of the King Parrot retained water in the form of shallow and deep pools. So I guess a number of trout and Macquarie Perch would have survived, but how many did in fact survive?

In this lower section within the Trawool Valley how many perished? Did the trout and Macquarie perch receded back to the Goulburn River? Should there be a survey to gauge the populations, and if low, should the creek be stocked with trout? 

Regards Bruce Smith.

11:35 PM - 25/5/2007 - comments {1} - post comment

DEVILBEND LAKE

If your unaware, a number of years ago Devil-bend Reservoir was`decommissioned as a water supply (Not sure of the reason why) with the proposal to allow fishing in this lake. It sure has taken a long time for this action to occur however I received this update from VRFish-

Devil-bend Update – As reported in the March 2007 report, both Christopher Collins and Tom Camp have submitted their nominations to participate on the Devil-bend Reserve Advisory Group. Parks Victoria has advised that the nominations will be referred to Minister Thwaites before final announcement of Group Members. VRFish anticipates that an announcement will be made later this month.

I feel it would be great to stock this lake with fish whether they be trout or native fish or both. People of all walks of life could then cast a line and enjoy the outdoors. Additionally it is close to Melbourne, not far from Frankston.

I look forward to the announcement later this month.

Is there anyone else with information on this Lake?

5:20 PM - 11/5/2007 - comments {0} - post comment

Survey results indicate a healthy breeding population of Macquarie Perch

Dr Janet Pritchard, co-coordinator of the Native Fish Registry for the Murray Darling Commission, has recently been surveying the Macquarie perch populations in several waterways in the Murrindindi Shire. Janet and her team have worked closely with the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and the Upper Goulburn Landcare Group (UGLG) to ascertain and monitor the population of native fish and platypus that live in the local streams.

During monitoring in the area, including two sites near the ---- wetlands, Janet has trapped and recorded the health of a young male platypus and several blackfish. Janet and her team were pleased to record and monitor adult and juvenile Macquarie perch, blackfish, a long necked turtle and native water rat, and a male and female platypus in one location along the --------Creek. Janet was heartened by the Macquarie perch populations in both rivers, recording various sizes from the very small to the very large – up to 1.2kg in the ------River. Macquarie perch are a protected species that must be released immediately. Heavy fines apply to anyone catching and not releasing these fish. “The survey results indicate a healthy breeding population of Macquarie perch. The re-vegetation works undertaken by many landholders in conjunction with the CMA are definitely helping to protect and enhance the habitat for these fish and platypus,” Dr Pritchard said.

Bruce Smith -(words blanked to protect fishing areas)

11:37 AM - 25/4/2007 - comments {3} - post comment

Messing around with Nature

Not sure if many people know, but Coliban Water has been messing around with a new chemical to reduce water evaporation on  Harcourt reservoir. 

This is absolutly crazy to be messing around with nature and it looks unsightly. (See photo).

There are reports of trout and insect kills, plus trout are bleeding the moment they're touched after being caught. This chemical their using is limed based and everyone knows this depletes oxygen from the water and is a killer to trout.

What the hell are they doing!  This has to be stopped!

Bruce Smith

11:38 PM - 24/4/2007 - comments {5} - post comment