Recreational Fishing discussion paper

Hi Louise,

I think there are many ways in which Recreational Fishers can contribute to Parks Management. Often we are in obscure and remote parts of catchments and as such can identify issues/risks and report back on observations that could assist Parks Victoria develop a richer knowledge of our National Parks.

There is also lots of scope for Recreational Fishers to contribute by way of grants and works; which can involve clubs as well as individuals to enhance and develop the activity appropriately within national parks.

Hi Louise ,

When I Fly Fish in National Parks (or anywhere for that matter including beaches etc)  I am very aware of the environment I fish in. I have come to know many locations , tracks , rivers , streams , intimately . I therefore notice the smallets of changes . Water conditions , algea , increase in blackberry infestation , insect activity , terrestrial activity , health of our fish ,how drought , fire , flood impacts. It is fashinating to see how a landscace can change .  I share our National Parks with  , hikers , campers , hunters and  4x4 drivers. Wahtever the prefered activity I am sure that we are all there to enjoy the natural beauty of our Parks.

I feel that our observations are up to date and relevant . We are also vigilant against any adverse effect that may occurr due to inconsiderate actions by hopefully the minority of people which are unfortunately represented in any group of stake holders.

There are many pro-active fishermen who all share a dream to improve the health of our Streams , Rivers and parks in general . I have friends who own property along some lovely streams and I have seen the results of their work , Willow removal , natives replanted , stock /cattle/sheep/ buffers and well maintained fences. . The result of their effort is that they have the most natural ( within practical parameters) and healthy stretch of River and coincidentally the best fishing !

I recently hiked a remote part of Victoria and accessed an equally remote stream , the hike was around 28 km with some challenging descents and climbs , It was awe inspiring (the fishing was pretty good too)  we shared  our camp site with other non fishing hikers. The conversation as I recall  was centered around our mutual enjoyment of this magnificent asset we share and our desire to maintain , enhance and protect it.

Regards

Max Caruso

I agree, fishers spend a lot of time intimately engaging with alpine rivers and are well placed to observe and report on the distribution of weeds and other issues in the landscape. The Catchment Management Authorities have undertaken pest plant programs across tenures with agencies including for the Alpine National Parks which includes "weed mapping" as part of weed eradication.

The "Highlands Down" Program is a fine example of this in opperation, and I would hope that volunteers can become involved in these programs in a number of ways, including mapping and actual weed removal..

Regards,

James Hackel

Hi James,

Thanks for the reply, I recently heard that in the areas surrounding the Upper Mitta that CMA's were beginning a program of spraying for blackberry and broom including aerial spraying as well as poisioning willow. This is encouraging news as there is much river which borders the highway in addition to many tributary rivers and streams which can benefit. Besides the removal of these species for environmental reasons the practical outcome is that these water ways become more accessible to recreational users.

This area and the Upper Mitta Mitta river specifically is bordered by a major road. What always troubles me are the valleys or reaches that have no huts, walking trails or peaks to bag...these are beautiful wild places that appear essentially un-changed, of course most of these places (but not all) have been at some point, whether it be cattle grazing, mining or other activities however these streams are often choked by blackberry and historically appear to be overlooked when it comes to weed management.

Some of the areas that spring to mind are Wild Horse creek, all the way up the upper reaches of the Big River beyond camp creek confluence, the upper Bundara and High Plains Creek tributaries, Cobungra, Victoria and I could go on listing waters.

There will most likely always be movement of weeds, reinfestation etc however I would tend to think that an intensive effort from the top down that is followed up with repeat spraying for the first few years has perhaps not been attempted at least on a broad scale.

Weeds have no environmental or socio economic value that I am aware of, be nice to make some big inroads.

Do you know if the "Highlands down" program will be tackling the high, remote and often un-visited areas?

Also do you have a link to the highlands down program?

Regards,

Dale

Hi Dale,

An Invasive Species Discussion Paper is being developed and will be soon be available in the knoweledge gallery. The impact to our catchments is a key concern.

"Under Control" is a Pest Plant and Animial  Management Newsletter produced by the Department of Primary Industries and back-issues may be found at www.dpi.gov.au/undercontrol. Many of the newsletter issues ( e.g. May 2009 Number 38) contains examples of specific weed control programs in the Alpine area - such as trial eco-burning along the Mitta Mitta, or helichopter spraying of English Broom in remote locations.

In terms of the large scale programs, the Australian Governement "Caring for Country Funding" (http://www.nrm.gov.au/business-plan/funded/09/bp-success-vic.html) for 2009-2010 anounced a $2,222,500 package for the East Gippsland CMA.

"This package includes two projects that focus largely on weed control to be undertaken over the next two years to protect biodiversity assets in the East Gippsland region (specifically concerning biodiversity protection in far East Gippsland, and the Eastern Highlands (Alpine National Park). These projects are: Protecting the Best (Far East Gippsland). This project will address Willow Bitou Bush and Blackberry (WoNS) management in river systems. Other WoNS weed control activities will focus on Blackberry, Bitou Bush and Willow control and follow up revegetation in the Wallageraugh River catchment, Genoa River and lower Snowy High Conservation Value Aquatic Ecosystem and Bitou bush/Boneseed coastal area; and in the Highlands Down (Eastern Highlands). This project will address priority WoNS weed control and riparian restoration in the priority Mitchell and Wonnangatta Rivers systems (HCVAE). Weed control activities will focus on Blackberry, Cape Broom, St Johns Wort, Hawthorn and Briar Rose control and Willow control."

Keep ane on on our home page for a blog anouncing the release of the Invasive Species Discussion Paper.

Regards,

James Hackel - Parks Victoria

Hi James,

Thanks for this I look forward to reading the new discussion paper.

Regards,

Dale.