NOR-WEST GAME FISHING CLUB (INC.)
ROSEMARY ISLAND
Operational Procedures and Responsibilities
Background
In the early 1960’s the Club obtained its first 10-year lease of just over 7 hectares on Rosemary Island when the whole of the Dampier Archipelago was vacant crown land. There was no Karratha, no Dampier and no industry in the area. Since that time, we have been successful in obtaining successive renewals and now have a lease with a renewal option until 2030. Accordingly, it is vital that we comply with all the requirements of our lease which have become progressively stricter on environmental matters. No plants, animals or fire arms are to be taken to the island and there is to be no interference with vegetation including removal of dead timber. No native fauna is to be caught, kept or removed from the island. Live corals and shells are not to be taken or disturbed and nesting turtles are to be left well alone. There are to be no open fires. Under no circumstances is rubbish to be buried or burnt on the island and all toxic and other wastes are to be removed. We must never do anything which may lead to the termination of our Lease
Club Facilities
Over the last few years, a great deal has been done to improve the standard of facilities on the island with a view to increasing the level of comfort enjoyed by members during their visit. All Club facilities at the island are owned by all the members and should be treated accordingly. If a member damages or breaks something he should fix it or replace it and all damage must be made the subject of a report to the Secretary as soon as possible.
Clean Up
Prior to a group’s departure from the island the clubhouse and facilities are to be thoroughly cleaned. All refrigerators in the kitchen are to be cleaned out and any leftover perishables are to be removed. Each group takes over its own food and it is not acceptable to find partly consumed perishables left behind by the previous group. Freezers in which fish have been stored are also to be thoroughly cleaned. Unused bait can be left in the bait freezer provided it is in good condition and provided there is a group to occupy the facilities in the following week. The stove top, oven, microwave and BBQ are all to be properly (including fat trays) cleaned and ready for use by the next group. All tables and bench tops are to be wiped down and the floors swept and the kitchen floor mopped.
Rubbish Management
This matter is dealt with in some detail in the Background lease as above. Cans are to be crushed, placed in bags and removed at the end of the week. Bottles and other glassware are to be placed in surplus cardboard boxes, taped up removed at the end of the week. Do not mix glassware with other rubbish. All cardboard boxes which are not going to be used are to be knocked flat, taped up and returned to Dampier. All rubbish must be placed into the Skip bin inside Hampton Harbour Club.
No items of clothing are to be left behind.
Whilst on the Island wet garbage is to be placed in one bin and disposed of from the fishing boat in deep water the next day. All other garbage is to be placed in the second bin and removed from the island upon departure. No fish scraps are to be left lying around or fed to the BIRDS because this practice can lead to scraps being deposited on the roof and ultimately contaminating fresh water supplies. It is lawful to remove fillets from Spanish Mackerel at sea but if any other fish are filleted on the island all scraps and carcasses must be frozen and disposed of the next day in deep water. Under no circumstances is any rubbish to be deposited in Norbill Bay.
Transfers to and from Rosemary.
To Rosemary
Depending on weather and tide conditions the charter boat is normally available for loading in Dampier late morning after refueling and cleaning.
Saturday refueling must be completed by 12 o’clock to avoid $200 call out fee payable by the exiting team.
The Skipper must advise when loading can commence. Cruise to Rosemary will normally depart between 12 to 1 PM – Team Leader Please check with the Skipper.
From Rosemary
Usually early Saturday morning to enable arrival to Hampton Harbour Dampier between 9 and 10 AM. Flights home should be later than 2 PM to allow sufficient time.
In circumstances when the Skipper considers early Saturday morning will be unsafe Friday PM or Later Saturday may be necessary. The skipper will decide after consultation with the team leader. Mainland accommodation will be responsible of each member. Cost of Friday accommodation for the skipper shall be paid for by the group
Plant and Equipment
The start up, shut down and refueling of all plant and equipment is to be done by the skipper and this includes the desalinator. Club members are not to operate or attempt to repair any club equipment without certified appropriate qualification and permission has been given by either the Maintenance officer or the committee for any works to be carried out.
Tractor
The tractor is to be used to transport members and their gear between the shack and the beach. When using the tractor great care must be taken to ensure that no damage is caused to the environment or club property. The only access to the beach is now via the track which runs behind the machinery shed. Under no circumstances should the tractor be driven in the bush. If there are other people on the beach keep the tractor away from them particularly at weekends. CALM has pointed out that parking the tractor above the high-water mark could damage turtle eggs therefore the tractor should only be parked in the beach access track.
The tractor is used to carry diesel drums to and from the machinery shed and as a result there are traces of diesel fuel on the tractor. A new security device at the airport has picked up traces of diesel on baggage which has been carried on the tractor. Steps should be taken to prevent this contamination.
Runabout Dinghy and Jinkers.
The runabout must only be driven by the holder of a recreational skipper’s ticket. Considerable damage has been done each year when the runabout has been brought alongside the fishing boat in rough conditions. This can be a tricky and potentially dangerous manoeuvre and must never be attempted unless there are adequate fenders in use. The skipper has authority to prohibit the use of the runabout if he considers that it would be unsafe due either to the condition of the weather or the boat.
The Runabout and Dinghy must be OFF the beach at night to ensure no disruption to turtles.
The dinghy must only be operated by the holder of a recreational skipper’s ticket. Both outboards are now 4 stroke. All refueling should be attended to by the skipper and after use the vent on the dinghy fuel tank should be closed to prevent the entry of moisture. Under no circumstances are the runabout or dinghy to be dragged across the beach. A jinker has been custom made for launching and retrieving both. Whenever it is used the jinker must be wheeled into water which is sufficiently deep to allow the runabout or dinghy to float on or float off as the case may be. The boats must never be hauled up onto the jinker so that the keel comes into contact with the centre of the jinker axle. The jinkers must never be towed at greater than walking pace.
Fuel Costs
These costs have risen sharply in recent times. All petrol and generator diesel are included in the island fee. At the time the Island fee is paid the amount of $1500 is also paid towards the cost of the fishing boat fuel. The amount of fuel consumed during the week is determined when the boat is refueled at the yacht club on a Saturday. The Club will now pay the refueling cost and recover the excess above the $1500 from each group leader. If consumption is below $1500 a refund will be made.
Bag Limits
Please refer to the current Recreational Fishing Guide and be familiar with current bag limits. You are not permitted to carry home more than 20kgs of fillets and each box (ESKY) must be clearly labelled with your name and Full address. Backbones and wings are not included in the possession limit as long as they are completely removed from the fillet.
Haul Net
Please ensure someone has a licence to use a haul net as part of their Recreational Fishing Licence
There are new regulations in place now for the use of the haul net and this applies to the Dampier Archipelago only. In essence fishing with the haul net is allowed in Norbill Bay provided the net does not exceed 30m in length and that you do NOT take any fish other than mullet or garfish. In no circumstances can a set net be used and severe penalties apply. (Ref “Fish Resources Management Regulations 1995 Division 3a para 640B page 84)
Group Numbers
The maximum group number is 8 and additional payment is required if any group exceeds that number.
Juniors
To encourage sons of members and other young persons to join the Club a provision has now been made for students under the age of 25 to join the Club without a nomination fee and with an annual subscription of only $50.
Water Management
Fresh water at the island is in tanks connected to roof catchments. With a normal wet season fresh water supplies are adequate. All water taps provide fresh water. The salt water supply is pumped up to the tank on the hill during high tide. This pump is operated by the skipper. Group leaders should ascertain the current fresh water situation from the skipper. Some groups choose to take small quantities of bottled water for drinking. It may be that the desalinator will supply sufficient fresh water to use for showers and washing up but please monitor this closely and care should be taken that there is always plenty of salt water in the tanks on the hill to supply the desal plant. Please leave the operation of this to the Skipper.
Fishing Boat
Si Bon is a 42’ ex cray boat based in Dampier. The working deck is 7 metres long and 4 metres wide. There is a removable transom gate which leads to 3 steps down to water level. By using the 2 marlin poles the boat is able to carry 6-8 trolling rods and is equipped with all necessary electronic gear. Please ensure the Marlin poles are permanently in place for use.
The operation of the boat is the exclusive responsibility of the skipper who has the right to leave it at its mooring if he considers that operation of the boat on any particular day would be dangerous either because of the condition of the weather or the boat. The skipper will require some assistance when leaving or picking up the mooring. Each group leader should discuss this aspect with the skipper and specific team members should be nominated to carry out specific tasks so that these manoeuvres can be carried out safely and smoothly. Each group must clean up the deck and cabin before handover. Pay particular attention to the fish box and the bait board.
Skipper
The charter agreement for the game fishing boat requires the owner to employ the skipper who has been approved by the Committee. To avoid confusion only the group leader should discuss with the skipper daily fishing times and locations. The skipper will comply with any reasonable request from the group leader in this regard however the skipper has the right to make the final decision if the weather or other safety factors become relevant. Group members should only participate in the operation of the boat at the specific request and under the general supervision of the skipper. Most members prefer to look after their own bait, gaffing and filleting but if any assistance is required in these areas the skipper will normally oblige.
Bookings, Allocations and Deposits
Booking applications for the island open in October and remain open as per the down loaded forms in the club web site. Allocations are then made in the first week of month following the lodgment of application. The booking application must be accompanied by a deposit of $1000. If the allocated week is not suitable it can be rejected provided such rejection is made known to the allocating officer within TWO weeks of offer. In that circumstance the deposit is refundable. If the allocated week is acceptable a balance deposit of $2000 is required. This creates an obligation on the group to utilize the week and an obligation on the Club to hold the week available for the group. If the balance deposit is not paid by the due date the week in question will be reallocated and the deposit paid will be forfeited. These measures have become necessary due to some groups making cancellations just prior or even worse during the season. In those circumstances experience has shown that it is impossible to find another taker for that week. Members must understand that an abandoned week means that Si Bon must remain in Dampier and the skipper must be flown to Perth and back. These and other fixed costs remain notwithstanding that the allocated week is not utilised. For various reasons the Club season is designed to run continuously.
Vacuum Packer
The Club has purchased a commercial vacuum packer for the use of members. PLEASE READ DIRECTIONS AND LEAVE IT CLEAN FOR THE NEXT TEAM. We are also supplying the vacuum bags to use in the machine. These are at no cost to the team for a trial period so please take care and don’t waste the bags.
Sinkers
Another added benefit for members is the supply of sinkers for teams to use. This will be on a trial basis and hopefully teams will appreciate not having to cart sinkers to the Island. Please be aware of numbers you use and notify the skipper when they are getting low
Log Book (Daily catch sheets)
Please record fish caught each day on sheets provided to the team leader. Following, at the end of day can be entered via instructions to your Team Leader. This record becomes the record from which trophy and prize winners are presented at the end of each seasons Christmas wind up
Social Activities
The Club holds a Christmas Cocktail Party and Trophy Presentation in the either late November or early December and the AGM in April.
Website
The Club has a website at www.nwgfc.com.au. Each group is expected to send to the Club a report via Team Leaders check sheet of its week’s activities at the island via Form found under Members information both on arrival. Instructions are also found in the Team Leaders Manual on the island.
Photographs
Please ensure your photographs are sent to the Club for uploading to the website. photos@nwgfc.com.au
Newsletters
Approximately every quarter the President prepares a newsletter for posting on the website and for circulation to all members to keep them abreast of activities within the Club.
Emails
Every effort is being made to facilitate communication between the Club and its members. If you receive communication from the Club by snail mail and you have an email address please let the Secretary (paulaj52@bigpond.net.au) know your email address so that we can streamline communications. If the Club already has your email address make sure you let the Secretary know of any changes.
Trophies
Please remember that as a game fishing club we have lots of trophies available which we would like to award each year so please make an effort to fish with that in mind and win yourself a great trophy (make sure your name is correctly spelt on the Team List for correct spelling on your trophy).
Finally, please enjoy your facilities on Rosemary Island and leave the lease in the condition you would like it to be when you arrive.
Tight Lines and Good Fishing.
John Smith
President 2019.