THE NSW Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) 2017-18 freshwater fish stocking season has come to a close, with approximately five million fish stocked into NSW waters in recent months to maintain and enhance the state’s inland recreational fisheries.
DPI Senior Fisheries Manager Cameron Westaway said NSW is home to world-class recreational fisheries, which is a direct benefit from the NSW Government’s freshwater fish stocking program.
“This year’s stocking season has been very successful, boasting record releases of Australian bass and the inaugural stocking of estuary perch,” he said.
“In addition to boosting fish numbers, the freshwater stocking program provides huge complementary benefits to communities by enhancing tourism and providing economic opportunities for regional economies.”
Anglers interested in the data can access an interactive map on the DPI website, which allows users to learn what species have been stocked across all river and impoundment sites in NSW.
As one fish stocking season is completed, another begins, with DPI releasing the 2018-19 Draft Native Fish Stocking Plan for Impoundments and commencing trout production at the Gaden and Dutton Trout hatcheries.
Mr Westaway said anglers and fishing clubs are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposed stocking plan, to ensure progress continues to be made in the coming season.
“We invite the community to consider where we should concentrate our native fish stockings in the upcoming season, so that we can do our best to enhance our inland recreational fisheries and improve our aquatic biodiversity,” he said.
“Fishers are also encouraged to identify any other freshwater lakes not currently listed in the plan that may be suitable for native fish stocking. The creation of new fishing locations is just as important as maintaining and enhancing existing ones.”
DPI has conducted an Environmental Impact Statement for the freshwater fish stocking program and a management strategy is in place to ensure the stocking is carried out using best practice guidelines.
Production of native fish at the DPI Narrandera and Port Stephens Fisheries Institute is supported by funds from the Recreational Fishing Trust.
Stakeholders are encouraged to have their say on the 2018-19 draft DPI Native Fish Stocking Plan for Impoundments by Friday 29 June to ensure views are considered for next season’s stockings.
To access the fish stocking records map and the draft native fish stocking plan, click HERE.
