Queensland communities have this year received $721,000 in funding from the Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) scheme. Almost 2 million native fish fingerlings, purchased with SIP scheme funds from last financial year, were used to help restock impoundments (dams) across the state.
Managing director of Fisheries Queensland, Jim Groves said the SIP scheme, which included 33 dams, allowed local and visiting anglers to access quality fisheries resources year round.
“Having healthy fisheries resources in regional areas means more tourism and jobs, and an increased turnover for businesses,” Mr Groves said.
“There are also great benefits in water-based recreational opportunities for the locals and the scheme helps to sustain native fish populations by taking the pressure off those resources in other areas.
“Species stocked include barramundi, golden perch, silver perch, Australian bass, Mary River cod, Murray River cod and saratoga.”
Emerald fish stocking group President Peter Day said his community had only recently become involved in the SIP scheme and were excited about the future.
“We are using our SIP scheme funds to help stock Fairbairn dam with barramundi because it’s a popular fish for anglers and a drawcard for tourists,” Day said.
“Thanks to the SIP scheme, we recently released 60 thousand barramundi fingerlings into the dam and we hope to increase that number in the coming years.
“Every cent of our SIP funding goes into restocking with native fish, so we encourage anglers to buy a permit and support the future of fishing at Fairbairn dam.”
Recreational Fishing policy officer Jenny Keys from Fisheries Queensland said 350,000 permits had been sold since the beginning of the SIP scheme in 2000.
The SIP scheme is administered by Fisheries Queensland, a service of the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI).
Below is the list of grant money given to restocking groups for the 09/10 financial year.
Dam Total Allocation: Bjelke Petersen $27,929; Boondooma $34,665; Borumba $23,109; Burdekin $34,929; Callide $17,009; Cania $18,968; Connolly $2,461; Coolmunda $24,049; Cressbrook $8,825; Eungella $13,761; Fairbairn Dam $54,147; Fred Haig $50,676; Glen Lyon $26,558; Kinchant $15,498; Lake Dyer $4,587; Lake Gregory $6,606; Lake McDonald $8,286; North Pine Dam $14,851; Lenthalls $11,729; Leslie $28,133; Maroon $12,832; Moogerah $17,367; Peter Faust $41,287; Somerset $71,049; Storm King Dam $6,484; Teemburra $17,041; Theresa Creek $9,112; Tinaroo $55,893; Wivenhoe $44,707; Wuruma $18,901.
For more information or to buy a SIP online click Fisheries at www.deedi.qld.gov.au.
