Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

New zonings for Solitary Islands and Jervis Bay Marine Parks, fishing restrictions and research, skiing on Lake Cooper, ski show in Geelong

FISHING

The NSW Marine Parks Authority’s new zoning plans for the Solitary Islands and Jervis Bay Marine Parks have been finalised and will begin on March 1. More than 80 per cent of all marine parks will still be outside the sanctuary zones and remain available for recreational fishing. www.mpa.nsw.gov.au.

Fish Rock, situated offshore from South West Rocks in NSW, is one of the most significant and iconic grey nurse shark aggregation sites on the east coast of Australia. Restrictions are being introduced for medium and high-risk fishing methods including bait fishing and jigging to reduce accidental injuries and deaths at Fish Rock and nearby Green Island. www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries

Recreational anglers visiting coastal fishing spots in Victoria now have the luxury of cleaning their catch in comfort thanks to 30 new fish cleaning tables being installed adjacent to boat ramps and popular fishing spots. www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fisheries

Researchers will be out and about in early 2011 assessing the quality of fishing in Lake Macquarie, St Georges Basin and Tuross River in NSW. Data collected will be compared against similar data collected in 1999 before the waterways were made Recreational Fishing Havens and in 2004 immediately after they were declared havens. www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries

SKIING

The Moama Water Sports Club in conjunction with Victorian Water Skiing Association and Ski Racing Victoria have announced that the previously-postponed 2010 Barrie Beehag Ski Race will be held on the weekend of 12-13 February at Lake Cooper. The event will be races of approx 60km. www.southern80.com.au

The second round of the Offshore Superboat Championship in Geelong will have a ski show incorporated into the programme of events. The Southern Water Ski Show Team will perform at the Steampacket Quay on Saturday 26 March at 11:45am and on Sunday 27 March at 12:00pm and 2:00pm. This cutting edge ski show incorporates highly-skilled water skiers performing visually spectacular and entertaining traditional ski shows in a contemporary manner. <a href="http://www.superboat.com.au/">www.superboat.com.au</a>

POWERBOAT RACING

IMG Media has been contracted to produce six half-hour television programmes and a one-hour end-of-year wrap up programme for the 2011 Offshore Superboat Championship Series. Each of the programmes will represent a round of the championship and will include driver profiles, city profiles and a comprehensive overview of the race. Round one will be conducted at Williamstown, Melbourne on 13 March. <a href="http://www.superboat.com.au/">www.superboat.com.au</a>

NEWS BRIEFS

The Cruising Club of America will award its prestigious 2010 Blue Water Medal to CYCA and RANSA member Alex Whitworth for a circumnavigation of the world via the Northwest Passage West to East. www.cyca.com.au

Meridien

Marinas Horizon Shores between Brisbane and the Gold Coast announced that all dry and wet berthing and shipyard hardstand fees have been reduced for new customers to the marina by 50 per cent to help boat owners recover from flood devastation. www.marineqld.com.au

The 2011 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show has already confirmed a huge range of world releases which will be unveiled at the May 19 to 22 event this year. World launches include Clipper Motor Yachts’ Cordova 45, Maritimo’s M60 Series II Motoryacht along with the M48 Series II Motoryacht, the Integrity 320 Sedan, and All4Solar presents the world launch of the Aquawatt, an environmentally-friendly electric drive producing an output of 30hp. www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Feb 4-6 -- Melbourne International Boat & Lifestyle Festival, Docklands. Go kayaking, see the fishing competition weigh-in; view the magnificent vessels on display and check out the latest safety information. The latest boats and associated products will be on display in the marina and on the promenade. www.miblf.com.au

Feb 11-14 -- MyState Financial Australian Wooden boat Festival, Hobart, celebrates the nation's rich maritime culture and heritage and has established a reputation as one of the world's best maritime events. Held on Hobart's vibrant waterfront, the four-day festival brings together the biggest collection of wooden boats in the southern hemisphere. www.australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au

Feb 12-13 -- The postponed 2010 Barrie Beehag Ski Race will be held on the weekend of 12-13 February at Lake Cooper. www.southern80.com.au

Feb 16-Mar 20 -- WMcA Building Services Van Diemens Land Circumnavigation Cruise -- 44 boats have registered to participate and the fleet size is limited to 45. However there still may be withdrawals and more Expressions of Interest may be received. www.ryct.org.au

Feb 19 -- The Wooden Boat Rally will be held on the Tamar River at the Seaport Marina in Launceston, Tasmania. www.woodenboatrally.com

Feb 19-20 -- Luhrs Billfish Shootout, Newcastle & Port Stephens Game Fishing Club. Over $30,000 in prize money. www.npsgfc.com

Feb 22 -- Queen Mary 2, the largest passenger ship ever to visit Australia, returns to Sydney Harbour for a rendezvous with the new Queen Elizabeth. The rendezvous is scheduled for early morning but times may change. www.cunardline.com.au

Feb 23-Mar 5 -- Australian Offshore Challenge Bass Strait Rally, a 700 nautical mile navigation rally for powerboats starts in Hobart. The fleet travels the east coast of Tasmania, before crossing Bass Strait via the islands of the Furneaux Group and then on to Westernport to the finish in Melbourne. www.offshorechallenge.com.au

Feb 24-27 -- Variety Splash. A three-day rally on Port Phillip open to all sail and power boats, commencing at Waterfront City, Docklands, with as evening ‘Welcome’ function. <a href="http://www.varietysplash.org.au/">www.varietysplash.org.au</a>

Feb 25-Mar 4 -- Geographe Bay Race Week held at in Busselton is the largest yachting regatta in Western Australia. www.gbyc.com.au

Feb 26 -- Inaugural Marine Rescue "Splash Out" Festival at Darling Harbour will celebrate the launch of CompassNet Boating Safety Network and the achievements of Marine Rescue NSW. There will be kids’ games and rides, free education and training seminars, stage performances, water demonstrations, flare lighting and much more! www.marinerescuensw.com.au

Feb 26-27 -- South Australian Wooden Boat Festival at the historic River Port of Goolwa. www.woodenboatfestival.com.au/

Feb 26-27 & Mar 5-6 -- 2011 Interclub Tournament, Port Stephens is where NSW Game Fishing Association clubs compete on various levels. It is expected that there will be up to 1000 anglers competing aboard as many as 200 boats.

Mar 3-13 -- JJ Giltinan International Championship, Sydney Harbour, sometimes referred to as the 18 Footer Worlds. www.18footers.com.au

Mar 5-6 -- Rosehill Trailerboat Show, Rosehill Racecourse, Sydney www.bia.org.au

Mar 5-6 -- Audi Sydney Regatta, Middle Harbour Yacht Club www.sydneyharbourregatta.com.au

Mar 6 -- Clean Up Australia Day www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au

Mar 12-13 -- Australian Offshore Superboat Championship -- Round 1, Williamstown, Melbourne. <a href="http://www.superboat.com.au/">www.superboat.com.au</a>

Mar 26-27 -- Australian Offshore Superboat Championship -- Round 2, Geelong and the Southern Water Ski Show Team will perform at the Steampacket Quay. <a href="http://www.superboat.com.au/">www.superboat.com.au</a>

Mar 26-27 -- Australian Formula Jet Sprint Championships at Melton, Vic www.v8superboats.com.au

Apr 1-3 -- Club Marine Trailer Boat Fishing Tournament, Port Stephens NSW. 1500 competitors and 500 boats compete for around $100,000 in prizes. Entries available end of February at www.tbft.com.au

Photograph: Newhaven fish cleaning table is one of 30 installed over the past three years by Fishing Victoria.

Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

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