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$2 tool to help save reef fish

By REBECCA McLELLAN

         
Jim Hutton from Mossman Bait and Tackle and Paul Freeman of the Douglas Marine Advisory Committee demonstrate the correct spot to vent a reef fish suffering from barotrauma.

FISHERS and marine experts are hoping a $2 tool will help prevent reef fish dying unnecessarily.

Paul Freeman of the Douglas Marine Advisory Committee said many reef fish died of barotrauma each year and his aim is to see the life-saving “venting tool” in every local fisherman’s bait box.

Barotrauma can occur when a fish is brought too quickly to the surface, causing the fish’s swim bladder to swell due to the expansion of gases in its stomach.

If the fish is released without venting, it is likely to float on the surface of the water, unable to swim down beneath the water’s surface.

Mr Freeman said studies by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation showed the best way to treat reef fish with barotrauma was to vent the gas from the swim bladder with a hollow needle.

“We’re hoping our recreational fishers get behind this initiative and help our fish stocks remain in good shape,” he said.

“The venting tool only costs $2 and it can just go in the bait box.”

The committee has funded a series of fish models to go on the counters of local bait and tackle shops, who can also demonstrate the correct way to vent fish.



How to vent a fish

Story source | Port Douglas & Mossman Gazette

One night performance only for The Pitch

A CRITICALLY acclaimed one-man play will be performed in Port Douglas for one night only.

The Pitch, written and performed by Peter Houghton, tells the story of a down and out Aussie film writer on the verge of his big Hollywood break.

But less than an hour before he’s due to pitch his idea to a film industry panel, his story still doesn’t have an ending.

To help get his creative juices flowing, the writer does a quick retelling of the story so far, portraying the actors he would like to see playing the roles, including a clenched teeth Clint Eastwood, a debonair Sir Anthony Hopkins and a scintillating Catherine Zeta Jones.

During the course of the 80-minute play the writer depicts a classic tale of love, war, sniping, plane crashes, exotic accents and plenty of meaningful close ups.

The Pitch has been described by critics as “a romp.... hilarious.... a riot”, a “hysterical spoof on screenwriting” and was awarded two Green Room Awards for excellence on the stage.

The Pitch is be performed at the Clink Theatre on Wednesday, September 10 at 8pm.

Tickets are $25 from Ticketlink, phone 1300 855 835.

Story source | Port Douglas & Mossman Gazette

Revved up Raiders topple JCU

         
Fergus McConnell takes the line out in Saturday's game against JUC

PORT Douglas Reef Raiders travelled to Cairns on Saturday to take on James Cook University in the first semi-final of 2008.

The Raiders opened their account early on with Shane Branch making a break up the middle from a maul to set the first five-pointer of the day.

The first half saw the Raiders playing to their game plan, keeping the ball in close with some outstanding mauling forcing JCU backwards on several occasions.

The local boys were dominant in the set plays and were able to put on two more tries before the half-time whistle.

With JCU’s only points coming from a penalty, the score board showed 19-3 to the Raiders.

But in the second half the Raiders seemed to go into a shell, allowing JCU back into the match to score two tries. With one conversion, they were only four points behind the Raiders at 19-15.

Captain Steve Mulqueen laid down the law, which saw the defense tighten up and the forwards getting back to doing what they do best – picking and driving. Their patience paid off with the Raiders scoring twice in the final 15 minutes: Tane Russell kicked both conversions close to the sidelines in very strong winds to have the full-time score at 33-15.

Next week the Raiders take on the Southside Crusaders – coming off a big loss against Barron Trinity – at Barlow Park with the winner booking a berth at the grand final the following Saturday against last year’s premieres Barron Trinity.

Zeus man of the match went to prop Wade Hastie 3 points, 2 points Tane Russell, and 1 point to Nick Booth. Scorers were Hastie, Mulqueen, Chris Booth, Micheal Williamson and Wade Broadley with 1 each and 4 conversions to Russell.

Story source | Port Douglas & Mossman Gazette

Riders fight for RRR title

David Woods crosses the 2008 RRR finish line on Four Mile Beach only 1.5 seconds ahead of Tim Northey after 38km of racing from Mt Molly down the Bump Track.

IT was mountain bike mayhem as a full field of riders took on the 2008 RRR race on Sunday.

Now in its 18th year of the RRR annual races and the 38km course has remained much the same over the years starting in Mt Molloy, dropping down to the coast on the infamous Bump Track and the finish along Four Mile Beach denoting the rural, rainforest and reef sections of the course.

The maximum allowed field of 250 riders was the largest ever to take to the start line at Mt Molloy’s Vains Oval for the Cairns Mountain Bike Club 2008 RRR, with a strong turnout in both the racing and social classes. Leaving Mt Molloy riders take on a course, consisting of 25km dirt, 7km bitumen and 6km beach (this year with a 25 knot tailwind) to the finish at the Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club.

The overall winner for 2008 was David Wood from Innisfail in a time of 1hr 18mins and Abby Croft from Cairns took the women’s overall in a time of 1hr 31mins to back up her 2007 win.

Story source | Port Douglas & Mossman Gazette

Permiership hopefuls

The Port Douglas AFL Crocs under-18 side are primed for a major battle when they take on North Cairns for the premiership flag at Cazalys on Sunday

PORT Douglas AFL Junior Under-18s play North Cairns in the grand final this Sunday at 6pm at Cazaly’s.

The under-11s played Redlynch last Sunday and showed terrific team play.

The under-10s combined well with team mates to show a dominant display of run-on footy. Best players were Tully Cartwright, Kaleb Huddleston, Harrison Brown and Lucas Coe with goal kickers Connor Zealand, Harrison Brown, Josh Read and Guy Ratchaphat.

The under-10s took on Pyramid Power after a tough first half into the wind with the boys dominating in the second half.

Impressive running and handball with long kicks into the forward line brought plenty of goals. Best players were Lucas Coe, Harrison Brown, Tully Cartwright and Liam Hurley with goal kickers Harrison Brown, Liam Hurley, Jacob, Lucas Coe and Kaleb Huddleston.

The under- 8s Blue played Pyramid Power showing great sportsmanship, excellent kicking and handballing skills. Best players were BJ Davies, Brody Taylor and Tyrell Lafituani with goal kickers BJ Davies, Josh Baker, Harley Thackray, Jaiden Kearns. The under-8s White played the Hawks and with the year coming to an end the boys put on a great display of all the skills learned this year. Best players were Rex Hawkes and Toby Ellison with goal kickers Toby Ellison, Ryan Bourgiugnon and Ben Muia.

Story source | Port Douglas & Mossman Gazette

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"All news content and images displayed on this page are the intellectual property of the Port Douglas & Mossman Gazette and protected by Copyright. Use of any of this material is prohibited. Content may not be copied and published for any purpose."