Hello

As promised, here's some fishing info from this side.

Qld Fisheries does not run the tagging system in Qld. Its been run for years by Bill Sawynok's Info-fish Services in Rockhampton.

It records all species but barramundi make up the bulk of the entries.

Recording input is one thing but providing feedback is a very important part. Bill used to release a monthly report on a couple of noteworthy recaptures. People could also access the website for data.

Lately, the website has been upgraded to enable taggers to access their own data and other reports including google-earth linked geographics. Info-fish Services also takes on project work and has those results on the website as well.

Attached are some samples of the documents and maps used by taggers to record inputs. Up until recently it used to be that a trip sheet was sent in and Bill (or somebody) had to transcribe it onto the data base.

Direct database input is now available.

The website is http://www.info-fish.net

Visit it and browse. Some pretty interesting info.

Its a pretty good system and NT Fisheries is a participant via the Macarthur River Mining project. NT Fisheries has reported recaptures in the KAB area directly to Bill. I don't know if that's due to their own efforts with the stun boat or from reports to them.

For recording sites there are 200 odd topographical maps with grid-overlays for Qld. Attached is a sample of one of the Fitzroy River maps. They look like 1:100,000 topographical maps. I know Bill does work in other states but don't know about maps/overlays there.

I'm sure Bill would be happy to answer any queries you make to him via the website.

I know that NT has a embroyonic tagging system but its not easy to access and I've never been able to locate any results. I used to indirectly send them data from NT recaptures but don't anymore. I don't know who tags in NT.

Maybe AFANT might be interested in running or setting up an NT one with suitable funding?

Kind of makes you wonder if that first fish sat in the current a lot and just drifted. That's over 3.5km per day average. No wonder some days they just look at your lure and say "your dreamin' buddy".

Would have also been good if the second fish had a recapture length to see its growth

U're right.

Most likely reason(as its happened before) is that it was netted by a pro in Townsville area. Some return the tags with no length info. Better than no info I guess but that's improving.

These two reports were unusual as Fitzroy River strain of barra generally go south. As Bill said, both northern journeys were during big flood events. Maybe the low salinty with lots of fresh water upsets their navigation.