Dear member of the Keen Angler Program,

On behalf of Fisheries Queensland, I would like to thank you for your continued participation in the Keen Angler Program.

The primary objective of the Program is to gain samples of target species from as many separate recreational catches as possible. In 2012, members of the Keen Angler Program (including those particpating through CapReef) donated 2025 frames for research! The largest individuals for each target species donated to the program during 2012 are listed in the table below.

Now is a good time to give Robert a call on 32554205 if you have any samples sitting in your freezer or require any sampling kits to be sent out


Species Total donated Largest fish (mm) and its capture location Amberjack 3 1140 TL, Sunshine Coast Offshore
 Barramundi 101 1070 TL, Gladstone Harbour
 Cobia 17 1640 TL, Nth Moreton Bay
 Dusky flathead 51 660 TL, Elliott River
 Goldenline whiting 29 330 TL, Nerang River
 Pearl perch 75 610 TL, Sunshine Coast Offshore
 Sand whiting 459 420 TL, Nerang River
 Snapper 317 900 TL, Sunshine Coast Offshore
 Spanish mackerel 120 1650 TL, Rockhampton Offshore
 Spotted mackerel 95 1000 TL, Gold Coast Offshore
 Tailor 150 750 TL, Fraser Offshore
 Teraglin 15 730 TL, Brisbane Offshore
 Yellowfin bream 588 400 TL, Nth Moreton Bay (2) Sunshine Coast Estuarine (1)
 Yellowtail kingfish 5 1120 TL, Sunshine Coast Offshore

How to donate your frames


  • When you catch ANY of our target species, even if it’s only one fish, make sure you keep the frame.

Its easy……

  1. fillet your catch
  2. place the frame (with head and guts and gonads) into one of the sample kits
  3. fill in the label
  4. contact our Keen Angler Program Co-ordinator. We will come and pick up your samples!!
  5. Alternatively, you can drop your samples into one of our helpful drop-off locations.



  • Need more sampling kits?
  • Got some frames in your freezer?
  • Know someone else interested in donating fish frames?

Contact Robert Prosser (Keen Angler Program Co-ordinator) on:

Ph: (07) 3255 4205
Email: robert.prosser@daff.qld.gov.au

Target species

 The Keen Angler Program continues to collect fish frames for the following species year round:

Inshore & Estuarine Species
Yellowfin bream Acanthopagrus australis
Sand/Summer whiting Sillago ciliata
Goldenline whiting Sillago analis
Dusky flathead Platycephalus fuscus
Tailor Pomatomus saltatrix
Mulloway (jewfish) Argyrosomus japonicus

Rocky Reef
Snapper Pagrus auratus
Pearl perch Glaucosoma scapulare
Teraglin jew Atractoscion aequidens
Cobia/black kingfish Rachycentron canadum
Yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi
Common amberjack Seriola dumerili
Grass emperor (sweetlip)Lethrinus laticaudis

Mackerel
Spotted mackerel Scomberomorus munroi
Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus commerson
Grey mackerel Scomberomorus semifasciatus
School mackerel Scomberomorus queenslandicus

Research Snippets
Trawl surveys
In addition to recreationally caught finfish, Fisheries Queensland monitors other important and iconic Queensland species to ensure their sustainability. Other species monitored include eastern king prawns and spanner crabs.

In November and December of 2012, Fisheries Queensland conducted the Fishery Independent Trawl (FIT) survey. The survey samples eastern king prawns (Melicertus plebejus, Figure 1), snapper (Pagrus auratus) and blue swimmer crabs (Portunus armatus) in areas known to be important for juveniles of these species in South East Queensland.

Abundance information collected by the survey is used with other scientific and fishery information to assess the status of the stocks each year.

The survey uses the Fisheries Research Vessel Tom Marshall towing beam trawl gear. Animals are caught in short 0.5 nautical mile trawls (about 12-15 minutes), measured and returned to the water. For blue swimmer crabs, sex information is also recorded. Trawling occurs from sunset until sunrise each night, and the survey takes 18 nights to complete.

The FIT survey has been completed each year since 2006. Between 2006 and 2011, 5638 juvenile (less than 20cm) snapper have been encountered in Moreton Bay. Figure 2 shows the survey sites where trawls have occurred and where juvenile snapper have been caught.

The data indicate that although snapper occur across the bay in a range of habitats and substrates, higher numbers were caught and measured in the southern and western areas of the bay. This is probably due to shallow water and the presence of suitable habitat for juvenile snapper to forage and shelter in (i.e. seagrass beds, rubble patches) at these locations.

For more information about the survey, go to the Fisheries Queensland website:
http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/28_10884.htm


University Research Project

Documenting peoples’ past and present experiences of Spanish mackerel and snapper fishing along the east coast of Queensland

 We are seeking men and women who have targeted Spanish mackerel or snapper for 10 years or more and who would be willing to share their memories of fishing. The purpose of this study is to gather local knowledge that will provide information on long-term changes to fish distribution and abundance, together with changes to gear technology and fishing methods. This research will be used to inform people about changes that have occurred to these fisheries and the marine environment and the possible drivers of change during the last 100 years.

Questionnaires and recorded interviews will be used to fill critical information gaps prior to the era of standardised scientific monitoring. Other information such as historical collections from relatives or friends such as photographs, fishing logs, diaries or newspaper clippings will be useful for our research. If you would like to participate in this research, or would like further information, please contact Sarah Buckley at s.buckley2@uq.edu.au, or Ruth Thurstan at r.thurstan@uq.edu.auor phone us on 04 3182 7132 and we will get back to you.


Monitoring Updates

 Fisheries Queensland scientists collect vital length, sex and age information from your donated frames. To view the latest monitoring results visit the Fisheries Queensland website: http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/28_10738.htm

The results from the Queensland Statewide Recreational Fishing Survey are also available at: http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/28_18273.htm

Keep up to date with the latest Fisheries information via Facebook: Fisheries Queensland

Subscribe to ‘Catch’ Fisheries Queensland eNewsletter
Fisheries Queensland has an eNewsletter “Catch” covering the latest recreational fishing news. You can view the current and past issues at:
http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/30_22041.htm

You can subscribe to receive eNewsletters Alerts here:http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/30_21878.htm

Keeping our contact details up to date
Over the last couple of weeks Robert has been attempting to contact all of the participants in the Keen Angler Program.

If you've had a chat with him over the phone, he thanks you for your time. However, if he has left a message for you and your contact details have changed recently, please either call him back (07 3255 4205)or email him (robert.prosser@daff.qld.gov.au).

Feel free to call or email at anytime too if you require samples (fish frames) to be picked up, or need any kits or info posted out.

Frame drop off locations
We have freezers available at the following locations where you can hand in your fresh or frozen fish frames (with heads and guts) of our target species. Please ensure your frames are bagged with a completed KAP label when you drop them off.
Location Name Address Ask for Phone Gladstone-Yeppoon CapReef Staff in Gladstone, Yeppoon & Rockhampton Bill Sawynok 4928 6133 Bundaberg Salty's Tackle World 22 Quay Street Bundaberg, QLD 4670
 Matt Costar 4153 4747 Rainbow Beach
The Chilli Bin 1 Karoonda Rd Rainbow Beach, QLD 4581
 Juanita 5486 3788 Tin Can Bay
Cooloola Coast Seafoods 69 Gympie Rd Tin Can Bay, QLD 4580
 Warren Sullivan 5486 4990 Teewah Beach Front Caravan Park 3rd Cutting, Wilderness Track, Teewah, QLD 4565
 Joe Mirocha 5449 8811 Tewantin Hooked on Angling and Outdoors 27 Hilton Terrace Tewantin, QLD 4565
 Ed Vandercruk 5449 7541 Maroochydore Maroochy Fishing World 22 First Avenue Maroochydore, QLD 4558
 Wayne Nilsson 5443 2714 Nth Stradbroke Is. Residence 104 Sovereign Road, Amity Point, QLD 4183
 Lois Or Greg 3409 7305 0416029305
 Currumbin Boatshed Bait & Tackle 2 Thrower Drive, Currumbin, QLD 4223
 Leo Hoffs 5525 0338


Thanks again and we look forward to receiving your fish frames.

Regards,

Keen Angler Program
Fisheries Queensland
Ph: (07) 3255 4205
Email: robert.prosser@daff.qld.gov.au



Robert Prosser
Fisheries Technician
Fisheries Queensland
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Ecosciences Precinct, Boggo Rd
Dutton Park Qld 4102

Postal Address GPO Box 267
Brisbane QLD 4001

Phone 07 3255 4205
Email robert.prosser@daff.qld.gov.au

Customer Service Centre 13 25 23
Fishwatch hotline: 1800 017 116
Tagged fish hotline: 1800 077 001

This is a perfect way to " put back " into the fishery that we take from. Politics aside, this is a very worthwhile scheme and does provide great information to our enthusiastic scientists in Fisheries.

Members of The Ausfish Agnes Water / 1770 M & G provided a very good number of Spanish Mackerel frames last September and FQ were very thankful for those.

It's not hard to do.

cheers Phill