Gone fishing with Craig Harris

As of July 1 there will be no more carbie two stroke motors allowed to be imported into Australia and we, as dealers, will be given 12 months to sell existing stock (if held).

“After July 1, 2019, any carbie outboards in stock at dealers or importers must be destroyed or re-exported. Those engines in operation and privately owned are still OK to use. The regulations apply to the sale of new engines only.” (Blue Sky Alliance paper.)

There are no exemptions for small outboards. AMEC (Australia Marine Engine Council) says that exemptions for small outboard engines were never an idea that would carry water. 

"With a carbie 8hp two stroke pushing out 59 per cent more emissions per hour than a 150hp four-stroke outboard, exemptions were never viable," Gary Fooks, Blue Sky Alliance, said.

"And to be fair, these emissions standards will also target mowers, generators, chain saws and brushcutters – all below 25hp. Under the proposed rules, exemptions would only be granted under exceptional circumstances – where no clean alternative is viable.”

I have been an advocate of four stroke outboard motors for a long time. I understand that four stroke motors are a little more expensive to purchase, but in the long term, the fuel savings and betterment for our waterways and environment will be worth it.

The effects of a two stroke motor and what it does and has done to our waterways and environment, as opposed to a four stroke motor, may not be seen by our generation but would have been felt by the next generation if carbie two strokes were allowed to have been continued.

If you already own a two stroke motor prior to and after these dates, there will be no changes that you will have to make. It is not illegal or against the regulations to own one, you just will not be able to purchase a new one, so there is no cause to panic and think that you have to go out and buy a new four stroke motor -although being in the marine industry I would thoroughly recommend it.

Now this next bit is just my opinion and is NOT written anywhere so therefore it could be just pie in the sky stuff but, after these new two stroke rules have been implemented, my thoughts are there may be some changes to the cost of registration of boats. Two strokes may be dearer to register with an environmental levy added; there may be impoundments and rivers that you cannot use two stroke motors on and once again this is my opinion. I am not scare mongering, not trying to get you to change your motor, I am definitely not a greeney and I am not often right – just ask the missus – it’s just my thoughts.

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FISHING over the past week has been pretty bloody good.

I know I didn’t give Talbingo a big wrap last weekend, I did say however that I find it difficult to fish but that was not been the case for those that ventured there with lots of reddies landed and some very decent trout as well.

With the blood red moon there will be lots of fishermen on the waters of Blowering and Burrinjuck and only time will tell as to how well they will go.

I am going to say that there will be a few monsters caught, not because of the moon but because of the amount of traffic on the water.

Hume has been fishing pretty good as well with reddies being the flavor.

The river is pretty high and running fast and a bit discolored making it a little difficult to fish but always worth a go.

There was the Bermagui Blue water classic was on last weekend with a number of local anglers participating; the winner of the 17k cash price was a fishing family from the South Coast weighing in a blue marlin of 193kg.

There was also a tiger shark estimated to be between 300kg to 400kg hooked, fought and lost but from what I have been told a top weekend had by all.