7.6 Million Fish That Got Away: Another Bumper Stocking Season

[Ken A]

NSW has had another bumper fish stocking season this year with 7.6 million fish released into the State’s waterways in 2005/06.

The spin-off benefits of the recreational fishing industry can’t be underestimated.

Despite severe drought conditions on the land, fish stocking will generate some welcome income for regions including the Central West, Snowy Mountains, Hunter and the north-west of the State.

In the Snowy Mountains region alone the recreational angling industry injects an estimated $70 million into the local economy each year, and supports around 700 jobs.

More than $1 million was committed o the State-wide stocking program this financial year.

In addition, freshwater anglers allocate $335 000 a year from their fishing licence fees to this program and $230 000 a year for the dollar-for-dollar program.

The native fish and trout and salmon which are bred in the four DPI hatcheries and private hatcheries are then released by DPI, community groups and angling clubs.

Some of the largest stockings took place at Burrinjuck Dam near Yass, Burrendong Dam near Wellington, Windamere Dam near Mudgee, Wyangala Dam near Cowra, Glenbawn Dam in the Hunter region, Copeton, Split Rock and Keepit dams in the north-west and Lakes Jindabyne and Eucumbene in the Snowy Mountains.

The final releases for the season will occur this week (19-23 June 06) at the Tumut River (2500 rainbow trout and 4000 brown trout), Swampy Plains River (4000 brown trout), Blowering Dam (10 000 rainbow trout) and Goodradigbee River (4000 rainbow trout).

More than 2.7 million native fish, including a record number of Australian bass in central eastern lakes and a record number of Murray cod in inland lakes were stocked by the Government in 2005/06, comprising:

* 30 2411 Australian bass

* 669 000 Murray Cod

* 73 000 Trout cod

* 1 441 000 Golden Perch

* 290 000 Silver Perch

The community-based dollar-for-dollar native fish-stocking program has also continued in its popularity with 80 stocking organisations raising funds to release more than 920 000 native fish, including:

* 100 900 Australian bass

* 272 188 Murray Cod

* 550 594 Golden Perch

In addition, more than 3.9 million rainbow, brown and brook trout, and Atlantic salmon were released across NSW waterways.

DPI is committed to working with the community in managing freshwater fish stocks to ensure future generations can continue to enjoy freshwater angling.

Many of the fish stocked this season will be legal size within about two years.

For more information on fish stocking, see http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/recreation...d/fish_stocking.

Media contact: 02 8289 3949