Sweetwater Fishing Forums

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Sweetwater on September 20, 2012, 07:16:41 PM

Title: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Sweetwater on September 20, 2012, 07:16:41 PM: By now I'm sure most SE Qld locals are aware of the large fish kill happening in the Mid Brisbane River around Lowood and Fernvale. So far it is only fork-tailed catfish that are affected, but left uncheck, the wate could be poluted by these dead catfish and effect other speceis like Bass, Mary River Cod or Qld Lungfish.

(http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/4271168-3x2-700x467.jpg)

The Dept of Environment & Heritage Protection with Somerset Regional Council and SEQWater have been working together to clean up dead anf dying fork tailed catfish from the larger holes with boating access, however these bodies cannot get into the smaller or harder to access locations.

This is where us kayakers can help. With the support of Somerset Regional Council (SRC) and SEQWater I am acting as coordinator for volunteers to help CLEAN UP THE CATFISH. We can go through these locations and collect any dead fish we find and deposit into skip bins that council will be putting at strategic locations. Fish deposited into these bins will be collected by SRC and disposed of.

SRC will provide insurance coverage for registered volunteers and SEQWater has provided a limited budget for providing some equipment in the form of protective gloves and fish holding nets (commonly called scaler nets).

Volunteers will be given a section of river to work & utilising a key tag system similar to that used at the Wivenhoe Kayak Fishing Event, you will be logged in and logged out when you leave.

What you will need:
Kayak or Canoe
Life Jacket / PFD
Rubber gloves (if you have any), or we will provide some,
Lip grippers or landing net may help
Sun protection; hat, sunscreen
Drinking water
Working mobile phone (so you can phone for assistance or we can track you if overdue)

What will be provided:
- Fish Holding bag
- Rubber Gloves
- Dump Bins at strategic locations
- Insurance coverage

Folks this is an opportunity for kayakers, anglers and concerned individuals to show our government bodies how valuable we can be towards water quality & the environment, AND to show how much we care about our own drinking water, our river and our fish.

Attached is an application form for Volunteers to complete, once this is done I will issue you with a location to clean up over the weekend. You can fill these in and email as an attachment to cleanup@sweetwaterfishing.com.au (cleanup@sweetwaterfishing.com.au?subject=Catfish Clean Up Volunteer Registration)

Download volunteer application Form HERE>>> (http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/SRC%20Volunteer%20application%20form.docx)

Safety Induction Handbook HERE>>> (http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/sRC%20Volunteer%20Safety%20Induction%20Handbook.docx)

Or volunteers can go to Twin Bridges Recreation Area just west of Fernvale at 9:00am to register and be given a section of river allocated to them.

It doesn't matter if you have an hour to spare, half a day or all weekend, YOU CAN HELP.

I invite anyone with a kayak or canoe to please try to give a hand at some stage over the weekend.

Please spread the word, and please download the form attached below and email to or bring with you, or please reply to this post, then when the forms are in I will email these to you. Or telephone 0423 464 311

Below is a map showing location of the volunteer registration tent and location of the fish dump bins (red pins)

http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?msid=212040867369087943690.0004ca2eb58f556322f6b&msa=0&ll=-27.447962,152.617779&spn=0.079368,0.1684 (http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?msid=212040867369087943690.0004ca2eb58f556322f6b&msa=0&ll=-27.447962,152.617779&spn=0.079368,0.1684)
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Sweetwater on September 20, 2012, 07:38:23 PM: Volunteers form is now attached to original topic (above).

You can fill these in and email as ana attachment to cleanup@sweetwaterfishing.com.au (cleanup@sweetwaterfishing.com.au?subject=Catfish Clean Up Volunteer Registration)
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Sweetwater on September 21, 2012, 08:55:47 AM: Have a couple of volunteers so far, would be great to have more on the water to spread the load and make it more enjoyable in a group.

Sweetwater Fishing will donate a HAND MADE AUSTRALIAN LURE to each registered volunteer.
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Sweetwater on September 21, 2012, 11:44:56 AM: UPDATE

Volunteers can register at Twin Bridges Recreation Area at 9:00am to register and be allocated a section of river to cleanup.

We need around 30 to cover the focus sections effectively. These are:
Lockyer Junction to Harpeng Road,
Lowood pump hole (from log jam to Lowood Bend), and
Twin Bridges to England Creek Junction.

We will have a boat cleaning up the Lockyer Junction Section via private property.

Skip bins will be located close to the water at Harpeng Road, On river bank on private property opposite Lowood pump station and at Twin Bridges.

The first 30 registered volunteers will be given a hand made Australian lure donated by Sweetwaterfishing.com.au

Further questions, please phone 0408725405
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: StevenM on September 21, 2012, 01:53:10 PM: Fitz

was out there yesty arvo.

Some focus needs to be put into the Lowood Bends area between the rapids.

Stinks down there and fish are just swirling back up in the eddies on the same side as sweet water lodge.

You would get a fair load out of that spot.
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: rayke1938 on September 21, 2012, 03:14:31 PM: Open the gates at big W and wash it all downstream. :youbeauty
Cheers
Ray
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Binder on September 21, 2012, 07:01:57 PM: To far for me to travel Fitzy, missus has an afternoon shift this weekend and I have to be home to child mind, or I'd be there.
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Sweetwater on September 21, 2012, 07:18:13 PM: UPDATE

Guests can now see the attached volunteer application form.

Here's more video from this afternoon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcPAtg5AoJQ# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcPAtg5AoJQ#)
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Novice on September 22, 2012, 06:30:09 PM: How did we end up Fitzy?

Are they at Savages crossing yet?
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: aussiebasser on September 22, 2012, 08:39:38 PM: What we saw at Shines was nothing compared to what was at Lowood Dave. We filled two bins without moving the boat. They don't smell any better either.
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Sweetwater on September 22, 2012, 08:59:19 PM: 866 Forkies collected or buried
1 Tilapia
1 Bass
1 Carpet Python

Still lots more to be collected.

Thanks to Dale, Dave, Jason, Felicity, Russell, Katie & her Dad for getting involved today, also Stretchy & Steve for dropping in to check on progress. Also thanks to Tony & Rohan from SEQWater for the support / help today.
Great to see a local land owner (Russell) get into it as well. :Clap)
AWESOME to seen an 8 year old girl get out there and help her dad fill a kayak with dead fish. She had a fun day. :Clap)

A shame alot of those who showed up to swim or kayak didnt help out when told what's happening. One couple out right said "we don't give a sh!t about fish" and paddled off thru the floating fish. Almost begged some people to help, once they saw a dead fish they jumped in their car and took off. Pretty disappointing really...... Some idiots got bogged and asked to borrow my snatch strap; told 'em they could borrow it if they picked up some fish.

We're back out there 9:00AM tomorrow and would enjoy seeing more helpers getting involved in saving this great fishery by cleaning up the river. A couple of the lads from Charltons Fishing store just phoned, they've coming to help tomorrow (thanks guys)

Some more video taken today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY03Ph-yS7I# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY03Ph-yS7I#)

Cheers,

Fitzy..
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: estuary girl on September 22, 2012, 10:46:17 PM: Fitz...will there be anyone out there monday?
I ended up going backyards and forwards between doctors and xray friday arvo so that was the end of that plan and on babysitting duties tomorrow.
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Grey Nurse on September 23, 2012, 06:54:08 AM: I will be there soon. Just getting the yak on the racks.
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Sweetwater on September 23, 2012, 07:45:52 AM: Quote from: Member on September 22, 2012, 10:46:17 PM
Fitz...will there be anyone out there monday?

Council & SEQWater will be on the job on monday. Feel free to go out & cleanup what you can. It can be hard to get numbers to the bins provided, a section I did yesterday I took a shovel & buried 131 up the bank.

Today's focus will be on the Lowood Rocks area & if we have enough there's more to get in the first 200m just below Twin Bridges.
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Sweetwater on September 23, 2012, 07:48:31 AM: Quote from: Member on September 23, 2012, 06:54:08 AM
I will be there soon. Just getting the yak on the racks.

Great Stuff :thanks
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Jason L on September 23, 2012, 08:38:58 AM: Quote from: Member on September 22, 2012, 08:39:38 PM
What we saw at Shines was nothing compared to what was at Lowood Dave. We filled two bins without moving the boat. They don't smell any better either.
Please tell me you had a chuck Dale!!
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Trent on September 23, 2012, 04:59:40 PM: Is there any idea of a cause yet?

A mate and I were at twin bridges and saw 5 or so on sat 8th or 15th (I forget off the top of my head). I figured someone got sick of catching them and were killing them.
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: BG on September 23, 2012, 05:09:26 PM: Sorry we can't be their to help Fitzy but we are a long way from home at present.
And you are on annual leave at the moment !

Great work mate.

Gordon and Sandra
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: aussiebasser on September 23, 2012, 07:21:37 PM: Quote from: Member on September 23, 2012, 08:38:58 AM
Please tell me you had a chuck Dale!!

No, did you find Ralph, I heard you were calling for him!

I did Lowood bend up to the log jam this morning. I need a fishing trip to get over it.
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Fudgit on September 24, 2012, 06:09:02 PM: Quote from: Member on September 22, 2012, 08:39:38 PM
What we saw at Shines was nothing compared to what was at Lowood Dave. We filled two bins without moving the boat. They don't smell any better either.
Hey Dale is it normal that since we did the clean up Saturday that every time I pick my nose the smell comes back again???? :-\ Cheers Russell.
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Sweetwater on September 24, 2012, 06:44:48 PM: Well done to all volunteers over the weekend. We had the official Volunteers and then on Sunday we had a stack of up and coming Water way Warriors in the form of several kids who borrow our environet & Bass Action nets to scoop up fish as they floated down river. :Clap)

Sunday Team
Kim
Felicity
Dale
Daniel
Lindsay
Darren
Craig (from Charltons Fishing)
Trevor & Heather (from Karee Marine)
and myself

Approximately 1800 dead fish removed from the river.

Sunday's focus was on the Lowood Bend area. The team there did a fantastic job filling a 2m skip bin to 3/5 full.
Just upstream the boat team working the Lowood pump hole up to the Log Jam half filled a 2m skip bin.
And the interceptors at Twin Bridges filled a 4m skip bin to almost 1/3 full.

Well done to everyone involved :Clap) :youbeauty

Went & had a quick look at Lowood Bend just before sunset tonight, there's a few more there again, but nothing like it was last friday.

There's a few people camped there tonight, the smell isn't as bad, but its still there.

The bass don't seem to mind, met Steve M there to test a new lure and nailed a 46cm bass on about the 10th cast. Will let Steve fill you in on this in a new topic. :popcorn)

Cheers,

fitz..
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: aussiebasser on September 24, 2012, 07:25:12 PM: I thought it was just me Russell. Dropped in at Charltons this arvo and Craig could still smell it too.
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Kimall on September 30, 2012, 06:53:00 PM: Any news how it is going now I plan to flick a fly around near Lowood tomorrow.This time without the tub full of rotting catfish in the canoe, that was a new level of stench. :OMG
Cheers KIM
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Nativeman on September 30, 2012, 07:55:41 PM: Thanks for the efforts folks, I was not able to get there last weekend due to previous commitments ....
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Novice on September 30, 2012, 08:02:53 PM: There are still rotting carcases along the banks of the river if you look hard enough. I haven't seen any newly dead floating past twinnys since last monday as I have been driving past.
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Yak Fish on October 01, 2012, 01:00:18 AM: I went for a paddle today at twinnys I spotted 3 dead catfish along my way to check a yellow net which has been put in to stop the carcasses from floating down stream, this smell is disgusting and got out of there straight away, I think there were roughly 30 in the net but didn't get a close enough look. There were many people swimming in the river obviously unaware of this incident. But what I want to know is what is causing this?
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Kimall on October 01, 2012, 07:56:57 AM: Thanks guys I will def go and have a look today I will be the one in the red roscoe canoe give us a ho if you see me. :youbeauty
Cheesr KIM
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Sweetwater on October 01, 2012, 09:41:17 AM: Took the kids down to Lowood rocks last night. Still a few dead catfishing, but nothing on the scale it was last weekend. Didn't take a rod, only went for a walk.
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Kimall on October 01, 2012, 10:45:21 PM: Still a few around today but not much smell now did catch 4 nice Bass the first a PB of prob 45cm.
Cheers KIM
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: elops on October 07, 2012, 12:20:14 PM: Any info/results from the investigation yet ?
Title: Re: CATFISH CLEANUP. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Post by: Sweetwater on October 07, 2012, 01:13:32 PM: Quote from: Member on October 07, 2012, 12:20:14 PM
Any info/results from the investigation yet ?

I haven't been informed of any results as yet.