|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Why Do You Go Fishing?
|
|
For the sport of it
(61.1 %) 229 votes
|
|
To be with family and mates
(9.9 %) 37 votes
|
|
Catch that trophy fish
(5.9 %) 22 votes
|
|
To be outdoors
(14.4 %) 54 votes
|
|
For a Feed
(8.8 %) 33 votes
|
|
(Votes Counted: 375)
Vote Now!
|
|
|
Fisheries Victoria
'A fortnightly round-up of recreational fisheries management issues'
Fish-e-Fax Issue 189, 15 February 2007
Drought triggered fish liberations
The Department of Primary Industries' fish production facility at Snobs Creek has recently fast-tracked its stocking program in response to increased pressure on the facility during the ongoing drought.
Mesh nets used for the illegal take of golden perch. |
Increased water temperatures and reduced flow have deteriorated the carrying capacity of the hatchery, prompting concern amongst fisheries managers of a risk in experiencing large numbers of fish mortalities occurring at the facility if action was not taken. As a result, in December 2006, a decision was made by Fisheries Victoria staff to accelerate the fish stocking regime for salmonids which was to have begun in April 2007.
The waters chosen for the releases were Lake Bullen Merri, Lake Purrumbete and Lake Eildon which are regarded as three of Victoria's healthier waters. The waters received a combined total of over a tonne of fish over the past 2 months.
Staff at the Snobs Creek facility are now able to concentrate resources on the priority broodstock and other fish that are fundamental to the stocking of salmonid and native fish into Victorian waters in future years.
The situation at the facility is being monitored closely and every effort is being made to ensure optimum water quality is met during the drought.
Illegal take bears the brunt of the law
A Mildura man has been convicted and fined $800 for illegally fishing in Wallpolla Creek, west of Mildura and the boat and equipment used in committing the offence was forfeited by the court.
Fisheries Officers observed the man using mesh nets to take golden perch, a popular freshwater species of Victoria. Mesh nets are classified as commercial fishing equipment and cannot be used by, or be in the possession of, recreational anglers.
This offence under the Fisheries Act 1995 has a maximum penalty of 6 months imprisonment.
Members of the public can help Fisheries Victoria manage fisheries resources by calling 13FISH
(133 474) if they observe others breaking the law. This reporting hotline is available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Information that may prove helpful to Customer Service Operators includes:
- Time and date of the activity
- Location of the activity
- Number of people involved
- A vehicle and/or boat registration
- The nature of the activity, and
- Any equipment that is being used.
Daughterless Carp Project
Researchers from Primary Industries Victoria (PIRVic) are involved in a project that aims to control carp through genetic technology.
The technology uses "gene silencing" tools that bias the fish population towards becoming all male by inhibiting the protein that is responsible for female development. Within 20 to 30 years, scientists predict that numbers of female carp in the wild should be significantly reduced.
Carp are considered detrimental to native fish populations in Australia because they increase the turbidity of the water and destroy vegetation. They also directly compete with native species for food and habitat.
The Daughterless Carp Project is part of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission's Native Fish Strategy which has been investigating programs that provide a sustainable option for the biological control of carp in the Basin. The combined involvement of a number of organisations and stakeholders make the program the largest dedicated to control of carp in Australia.
Carp are declared a noxious Fish in Victoria. It is an offence to possess, transport or release live carp, or use live carp as bait. This does not mean that you cannot fish for and eat carp. Many anglers enjoy fishing for and eating the fish.
Stocking update
The following waters were stocked by Fisheries Victoria during the month of January, 2007.
| Date: |
Water: |
Species: |
Number: |
Date: |
Water: |
Species: |
Number: |
| 10/01 |
Little Murray River |
Murray cod |
4,000 |
12/01 |
Lake Bullen Merri |
Brown trout |
1,900 |
| 15/01 |
Lake Bullen Merri |
Chinook salmon |
3,650 |
16/01 |
Lake Eildon |
Brown trout |
3,300 |
| 17/01 |
Lake Purrumbete |
Chinook salmon |
2,500 |
25/01 |
Eildon Pondage Weir |
Brown trout |
260 |
| 25/01 |
Eildon Pondage Weir |
Rainbow trout |
20 |
30/01 |
Goulburn River (Murchison
to Shepparton) |
Murray cod |
25,000 |
|
|
|
|
Home :
Welcome to the Sportsfish Network 