Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

POWERBOATS

The Australian/ Asian launch of the latest in wakeboard boat design and technology was held at Mulwala Water Ski Club recently with the unveiling of the Axis Wake Research A22. Axis Australia is a joint venture between Malibu Boats Pty Ltd, based in Albury and Axis Wake Research from the USA, who are committed to delivering a cost effective boat that can produce tournament style wakeboarding wakes.

The A22s are rated for 13 people and feature as standard Indmar AR 335 horsepower engines, board racks, centre flip up seat, rear seating, four blade wake prop 14.5x14.25, cruise control, swivel driver’s seat, FatAX wakeboard tower, galvanised tandem axle trailer and much more. The unique wingless windshield gives the driver easy access to the dock from the driver’s seat while docking the boat and allows the driver to talk to a rider in the water without having to stand up and speak over the windshield.

Australia's boat owners are being warned of the potential safety and financial risks attached to "grey" (or parallel) imports. The Outboard Engine Distributors Association (OEDA) is concerned about the increasing number of outboard engines that are being imported into Australia outside the outboard manufacturer's authorised dealer networks - leaving buyers exposed. MarineQLD.com.au.

FISHING

The future of the critically endangered species Southern Bluefin Tuna is looking brighter with the Port Stephens Fisheries Institute announcing it successfully reared a small number of the species to juvenile stage. This success and other achievements from Clean Seas Tuna and collaborators has confirmed hatchery production of Southern Bluefin Tuna is possible. It also confirms the potential for increased aquaculture production and raises the prospect for future stock enhancement of this highly valued species. dpi.nsw.gov.au.

Fishers on the NSW North coast are being warned that the practice of fish jagging or foul hooking will not be tolerated. Fish jagging is an illegal activity used by unscrupulous fishers whereby a treble hook and weight are retrieved with a jerking action in an effort to foul hook a fish from a dense school. Hooking or attempting to hook a fish other than through the mouth is called jagging or foul hooking, and is an illegal fishing method. A summary of the recreational fishing rules for NSW coastal areas are available at dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries

SAFETY

The use and carriage of flares as distress signals at sea has changed as more robust and technologically advanced alternatives have developed. As a result the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has revised its advice to mariners regarding the carriage and use of flares in combination with more modern alerting methods such as EPIRB’s and VHF DSC. They are not saying don’t carry flares, but combined with modern devices you might not need to carry as many as previously recommended. RYA.org.uk.

PRODUCTS

In what is believed to be a world first, Outback Marine Australia Pty Ltd has released an Apple iPad dash panel mounting system which transforms the iPad into an integral helm panel instrument that extends dash panel functionality to the Internet and multimedia.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

June 13 - 14 -- The Oceanic Whitsunday Boat & Leisure Show, Meridien Marinas Abel Point Marina, Airlie Beach. Whitsundayboatshow.com.

June 26 – 27 -- Australian Offshore Superboat Championship - Round 2, Mackay. AOPC.com.au.

July 1 - 5 -- Melbourne Boat Show, Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Melbourneboatshow.com.au.

July 3 – 4 -- Australian Offshore Superboat Championship - Round 3, Townsville. AOPC.com.au.

July 15 - 18 -- Adelaide Boat Show, Adelaide Convention Centre. Adelaideboatshow.com.au.

July 29 - Aug 2 -- 2010 Sydney International Boat Show, Darling Harbour Sydneyboatshow.com.au.

Photograph: Axis A22 courtesy of Wilson’s Watersports