26 March 2009, Cronulla Fisheries Centre. Meeting Start:  10.30am

Chair

Cameron Westaway

Outcomes

Sam Crocker

Acclimatisation Society Representatives

Grahame Hoy               New England Trout Acclimatisation Society (NETAS)
Tom Williams   Central Acclimatisation Society (CAS)
Betty Williams            Central Acclimatisation Society (CAS)
Karl Schaerf                 Central Acclimatisation Society (CAS)
Rodney Tonkin Orange Trout Acclimatisation Society (OTAS)
Barry Darby                 Orange trout Acclimatisation Society (OTAS)
Rod Whiteway             Monaro Acclimatisation Society (MAS)
Steve Samuels              Monaro Acclimatisation Society (MAS)
Peter Gibson                Observer, Council of Freshwater Anglers (CFA)

DPI Staff

Peter Turnell                 Director, Fisheries Resource Management
Cameron Westaway     Senior Fisheries Manager - Inland
Craig Watson               Fisheries Manager, Recreational Fisheries
Sarah Martin                Fisheries Manager, Recreational Fisheries
Ben Doolan                  Fisheries Management Officer - Inland
Peter Selby                   Manager Dutton Trout Hatchery
Paul Sheather               Assistant Manager Dutton Trout Hatchery
Sam Crocker                Manager Gaden Trout Hatchery
Garry Green                 Assistant Manager Gaden Trout Hatchery
Lee Baumgartner          Scientific Officer Narrandera Fisheries Centre

Apologies

Geoff Gates                 Council of Southern Districts Angling Clubs CSDAC

Meeting opened 9.00am

Cameron Westaway:  Opened meeting and welcomed representatives from the Trout Acclimatisation Societies and NSW DPI staff.

Outcomes of last meeting 

Circulated.  Outcomes accepted:  Moved Rodney Tonkin, Seconded Karl Schaerf, Carried. 

Business Arising

Rodney Tonkin:  Queried how the proposed withdrawal of operational funding from the Government for Gaden hatchery would impact on trout stocking.

Peter Turnell:  Advised that an agreement between the Minister and anglers had been reached whereby the Freshwater Trust will fund Gaden’s production from 1st July this year.  Mr Turnell informed the Committee of a visit to Gaden undertaken in mid January with Mr George Davey - Deputy Director General of Primary Industries, Mr Bruce Schumacher - ACoRF Chair and Ms Daina Aspin - Fisheries Manager, Governance Program, to visit staff and inspect Gaden’s operation’s first hand.
A committee will be required to investigate issues associated with the transfer of management of the hatchery and to prepare a business plan for the hatchery. 
This committee should comprise members of NSW DPI, ACORF, CFA, MAS and RFFTEC.  Mr Bruce Schumacher has written to the Minister regarding this issue.

Cameron Westaway:  Advised that day to day operations at the hatchery will remain essentially unchanged and that existing staff at the hatchery will be retained.  The Gaden hatchery will continue to produce quality fish for the next year. 

Steve Samuels: Informed the meeting that the NSW CFA will work with NSW DPI regarding ownership of the hatchery.  Mr Samuels expressed concern that the staff member previously working on Governance issues at the hatchery was now in a different role and that progress of this issue had subsequently stalled.  It was noted that RFFTEC has only supported funding for the Gaden hatchery for one year and that the Government must report back to RFFTEC on progress of the new management structure, before future funding for the hatchery is guaranteed.

Karl Schaerf:  Expressed confidence in Gaden staff carrying on producing fish and operating at the hatchery despite the threat of foreclosure and expressed thanks to Gaden staff for their ongoing hard work during this difficult period.

Craig Watson: Distributed draft research reports on effects of stream stockings on threatened amphibian species in the Styx River and Tumut River catchments.  Craig Watson noted that these reports will be placed on the NSW DPI website when completed.

Cameron Westaway:  Fisheries Officers are to be informed prior to stocking as per the conditions of the fish stocking permit.

Karl Schaerf:  Noted that privatisation of electricity companies may impact on access by anglers to streams and impoundments.  Angler access is no longer permitted at Corcoran Dam as the electricity company has closed the road into the dam.

Rodney Tonkin: Advised that the Orange City Council has worked with Fishcare Volunteers to erect signs around Orange however additional recreational fishing signs in the region are needed.  Cameron Westaway noted that the Supervising Fisheries Officer will be notified regarding the distribution / erection of advisory signs within the area.

Hatchery Managers Reports

Gaden Hatchery:  Sam Crocker provided an annual report on production from the Gaden hatchery during the last financial year.  Peter Gibson questioned sales of ova from Gaden hatchery. Sam Crocker advised of the sale of Atlantic salmon ova to commercial hatcheries and costing process.  Committee members discussed the supply and sale of ova to commercial hatcheries and the prospect of supplying ova and fry to Victoria for restocking bushfire affected waters.

Dutton Hatchery:  Peter Selby provided an annual report on production from the Dutton hatchery during the last financial year.  It was noted that environmental conditions at Dutton are exceptionally good due to higher than average rainfall experienced over the past 6 months.  The recirculation system is working well with some excellent returns and growth rates.  The Committee discussed fingerling stocking for NETAS, OTAS and CAS.  Rodney Tonkin and Karl Schaerf Thanked Peter Selby and Dutton staff for the quality of fish delivered to OTAS. 

Stocking Plan for 2009/10:  Next seasons stocking requests were discussed and a trout stocking plan for 2009/10 period was developed.  Sarah Martin will forward the completed stocking request spreadsheets to hatchery managers when they are completed. 

Lee Baumgartner: Gave a presentation on trout stocking monitoring program on Lakes Jindabyne, Oberon and Eucumbene for Lakes Stocking Strategy.

Meeting ended 2.30pm