Fisheries Victoria
'A fortnightly round-up of recreational fisheries management issues'

Fish-e-Fax Issue 204, 13 September 2007

Angling for more native fish in the lower Goulburn

A three-year Victorian Government study of fish stocks has found both Murray cod and golden perch – two native species popular with recreational fishers – are widespread in the lower Goulburn River.

The results of the study, which ran from 2003/04 to 2005/06, suggested there are good numbers of young Murray cod entering the fishery, probably as a combined result of natural spawning when environmental conditions are favourable and Fisheries Victoria's native fish stocking program.

Researchers are hopeful that a large proportion of the undersize cod have now grown to legal size. They should complement the abundant golden perch population and make for excellent fishing over coming summer seasons.

The study was undertaken by scientists from the Department of Sustainability and Environment's Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research (ARI) in cooperation with anglers from the Goulburn Valley Association of Angling Clubs.

Survey sites were established at five locations between Lake Nagambie and the Murray River junction. Adult fish population surveys at each site using boat-mounted electro-fishing gear found that of 1797 fish were caught, identified, measured and weighed, eighty-five per cent were native fish.

Of the species of interest to anglers, Murray cod (127) were the most abundant while golden perch (73) were also common throughout the lower Goulburn River. Carp, an introduced species, was the most abundant fish found with 249 specimens.

Large Murray cod and golden perch were present in the lower Goulburn River. Four Murray cod that weighed over 22 kg and measured over a metre were caught and released, while the largest golden perch captured was 2.5 kg.

Most of the Murray cod caught were small with only 12 per cent above the legal minimum limit (LML) of 50 cm. In contrast, 95 per cent of the golden perch were above the LML of 30 cm.

Surveys were also conducted to identify fish spawning events in the lower Goulburn using larval drift nets.

The study was funded by Recreational Fishing Licence revenue and the surveys have continued in 2007 through funding from the Goulburn-Broken Catchment Management Authority.

Measure your snapper to estimate its weight

Fishcare has released a free ‘Weigh Your Catch' ruler which allows recreational anglers to estimate the weight and age of a snapper based purely on its length.

By lying snapper down on the ruler an angler can quickly get a weight estimate of the fish without suspending it on scales. While good handling is not as important for fish that are going to be retained for the table, it is critical for released fish, whether they be undersize or in excess of anglers' personal needs.

The ruler also contains useful information about snapper and their habits, colour pictures of adult and juvenile snapper for identification purposes and a list of tips about good fish handling practises.

Given the phenomenal snapper seasons we have experienced over the last two seasons, particularly in Port Phillip Bay, this stick-on ruler should be very popular amongst keen saltwater anglers.

The rulers were produced care of a $22,100 grant from Round 4 of the Commonwealth Recreational Community Grants Program.

The ‘Weigh Your Catch' snapper rulers will be available free of charge from selected fishing tackle stores in September, just in time for the spring snapper season.

Fishcare has also produced free ‘Weigh Your Catch' ruler for other species such as black bream and mulloway. To obtain them or for more information about Fishcare's range of community programs and products visit Fishcare (external site).

Fishcare is a statewide community based organisation that promotes responsible and sustainable attitudes and practices amongst recreational anglers and the wider community.

Fisheries Victoria listens to all recreational concerns

Fisheries Victoria is working closely with recreational fishing bodies during the current review of fishing consultative arrangements.

The current review is about strengthening the consultative structures and processes that underpin fisheries co-management in Victoria.

Co-management is recognised as an integral feature of contemporary fisheries management. The review was initiated at the request of the former Premier in response to persistent concerns being expressed from a range of stakeholders about the governance, effectiveness and efficiency of current fisheries stakeholder consultative arrangements.

The objectives of the review are to ensure that the consultative framework is delivering the best possible fisheries management decisions within current budgetary and property right constraints, and to provide government with options for ensuring an effective stakeholder engagement framework.