Aussie bass are back on the menu

[Member]

Main Roads, Fisheries and Marine Infrastructure
The Honourable Craig Wallace
Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Aussie bass are back on the menu

From September 1, recreational fishers are again allowed to catch Australian bass in Queensland waters.

Fisheries Minister Craig Wallace said the bass were off season between June 1 and August 31.

"The closed season is an important measure in sustaining fish stocks for the future," he said.

“This annual closure period is aligned with the breeding cycle of Australian bass populations in Queensland's south-east river systems.

"It ensures breeding populations are not targeted by fishers during periods where the bass may be in large numbers at specific locations.

"Australian bass migrate down rivers within their natural range to spawn within the brackish marine systems at this time of the year.

Mr Wallacesaid Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS) dams did not have closed seasons and many were currently filled with good supplies of Aussie bass.

“Dams that have been showing good catches of Australian bass include Somerset, Lake Monduran, Borumba and Wivenhoe,” he said.

“It’s easy to enjoy a fish at an impoundment – just jump online and purchase a permit for as little as $7.20 for a day or $36.05 for the year.

"Money from these permits goes towards management of the scheme and towards stocking the dam of your choice.”

Mr Wallace said the minimum legal size for Australian bass is 30cm, with a bag or ‘possession’ limit of two per person.

To purchase a permit or for more information on Australian bass or Queensland closed seasons, head to www.fisheries.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.

The legislation around closed season applied to both "possess" and "take" with on-the-spot fines of $400 for anyone who breached the legislation.