AAT MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING 11TH MAY 2023

10.00 am Sunday 11 May 2023
Great Lake Community Centre, Miena

Present

Gary France Chair, Howard Jones Vice Chair, Terry Byard Exec Committee, Malcolm Crosse Exec Committee, Tony Wright Executive Officer, Wayne Bellette Tas Fly Tyers Club, Phillip Charlesworth NWFA, Peter Coventry Devonport Anglers, Chris Hilton Tas Fly Tyers, John Butler Devonport Anglers, Phil Blizzard NW Fly Fishers.

Guests: Steve Paterson IFS

Apologies

Mark Rockliff Independent NW, Adrian Hope Tas Flyfishing Association, Peter Wisniewski NWFA,
Keith Symons Independent South, Jonathon Wadwell Exec Committee,

Minutes of last GM

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 February 2023 held at the Great Lake Community Centre were previously distributed. It was moved by Phillip Charlesworth and seconded by Peter Coventry that the minutes be accepted. Motion approved 

Matters Arising

• The matter of the operations of the NWFA were discussed. It was acknowledged that whilst the NWFA was not functioning the organisation had not been wound up. It was expected that funds held by the NWFA would eventually be distributed to affiliated clubs on dissolution.

• An executive summary of the report assessing the economic value of the freshwater fishery had been issued by UTAS. There was general discussion regarding findings and it was resolved that the summary would be distributed to all meeting participants. The final report will be provided on the 30 June 2023. It was resolved that the report once released will be submitted to the Minister for Inland Fisheries. Moved Terry Byard, seconded Malcolm Crosse.

• Tony Wright advised that arrangements had been finalised for the transfer of fish to Devonport and Longford clubs for junior programs. The Bushy Park site was to be drained, cleaned out and refilled with water. Once this was completed it would be stocked. Phillip Charlesworth discussed possible outcomes when Frombergs dam was drained and whether Hiscutt Park could be deemed a dedicated junior water. It was determined that there would be no further action at this stage by AAT and it was up to local clubs to manage their junior programs.

• Discussion was held about AAT’s support to Huon Aquaculture in return for their donation of fish. Tony Wright is to discuss with Huon Aquaculture to assess their expectations.

• The AAT code of practice for the catch and release of fish was discussed at length particularly in respect of Lake Crescent at times of high-water temperatures. It was strongly suggested that when water temperatures exceed 20 degrees that a water should be closed to fishing to reduce fish mortality rates, further barbless and single hooks should be encouraged instead of treble hooks. It was agreed that Howard Jones would take the matter up at IFAC.

IFS Report

The IFS Report is attached at the footer. 

Finance Report

The profit and loss report and balance sheet as at the 30 April 2023 had previously been distributed. Tony Wright advised that as things were progressing, he expected results as previously reported. It was moved by Terry Byard and seconded by Howard Jones that the report be accepted. Motion approved.

Correspondence

• No correspondence had been received since the last Executive meeting.

• However, an email had been received from Tony Abel regarding a club donation to support the webcams. This had been responded to and the donation receipted.

General Business

• Phillip Charlesworth discussed the stocking of the Mersey River at Railton. Howard Jones discussed the ineffectiveness of the stocking in the Break O Day River general discussion was held on matters relating to the protection of waterways from contamination. A letter is to be sent to the Central Highlands Council concerning the paint contamination in Penstock Lagoon and asking for the progress in resolving this matter and the final outcomes.

• The proposed changes to the IFS Regulations were discussed. Steve Paterson advised there was rectification of errors that occurred in the drafting process, that the code was mapped to the regulations, there was the amalgamation of IFS Regulations and the Nets and fees Regs. He further commented that Regulations lapse every ten years and required renewal. The changes were adopted. Moved Howard Jones seconded Terry Byard

• Terry Byard discussed the Lakes Sorell Crescent Water Management Plans. He advised that the current plan had expired and after a two-year consultative process no future meeting had been set to develop a new plan. The process had stalled and a more stringent plan is required if the needs of the environment are to be satisfactorily met. Terry Byard is to raise the progress of the plan to the Minister through the budget estimates process.

• The draft letters to the Premier and Minister prepared by Jonathon Wadwell were discussed. It was resolved that these letters would not be sent as budget considerations were still underway. Further it was envisaged that a meeting would be held with the Minister after the budget process.

• Howard Jones presented a report on the status of the Duns research work being undertaken. He commented that insect decline was a worldwide phenomena and good water quality was intrinsic to insect survival.

• The matter of the Lake Malbina Halls Island proposal was discussed. The Wilderness Society advised it had received some 4500 responses however in a recent newspaper article the proponent advise that he had received some 626 submissions. It was resolved to write to Canberra expressing concern about the process and ask that it be re-examined particularly in view of the imbalance in the number of submissions sent compared to those allegedly received.

• The bike track around Great Lake was discussed. It was resolved that AAT held a neutral position in respect of the proposal assessing that it would not adversely affect the small streams around the lake.

• A complaint had been received about a stack of tyres on the edge of Brumby’s Creek. They had apparently been there for some 30 years. The complainant would be contacted to find out the exact location.

Inland Fisheries Service Report Anglers Alliance Meeting
14 May 2023

• Lake Mikany Boat Ramp Upgrade. It is anticipated that the upgrade will be completed before the start of the 2023-24 season.

• Little Pine Lagoon boat ramp and jetty works has been deferred to Autumn 2024, due to a clash with essential maintenance with Hydro Tas.

• Western Lakes Wilderness Fishery Road maintenance and improvements have been completed.

• Campground and track upgrades are planned for Woods Lake, in preparation for the coming season.

• Junior Angling participation has increased from 1,490 (2021-22) to 1,687 year to date (2022-23) and is the highest for over twenty years. This increase is attributed to a combination of the fee waiver and the Tasmanian Tagged Trout Promotion.

• Juvenile carp survey found no sign of carp spawning. The annual carp workshop was held in March and it appears that carp have been functionally eradicated from lakes Sorell. Carp were declared eradicated from Lake Crescent in 2010.

• The brown trout run commenced in Liawenee on 6 April – with 4,929 fish being transferred from yingina / Great Lake to date.

• The transfer of domestic rainbow trout hatchery at Millybrook has commenced with 4,000 fish being transferred since 9 May 2023, averaging 485g.

• For the 2022-23 financial year, Inland Fisheries Officers have performed 3,454 recreational fishing inspections and 424 boating safety inspections.

• Trout Weekend 20 & 21 May – see you there!