NEW research on the Murray cod fishery co-authored by some of the world’s leading recreational fishing experts has found anglers believe fish handling is important in recovering Murray cod fisheries.
The research published in the international journal Fisheries Research surveyed over 3,500 anglers who fish for Murray cod (the largest cod fisher survey to date) and found:
- Anglers reported high satisfaction for Murray cod fishing in Victoria and believed that the quality of the Murray Cod recreational fishery has improved since the 1970’s-1990’s to now, consistent with population recovery.
- Over 90% of anglers believed handling practices are important to the welfare of released Murray Cod and the Care for Cod Campaign was found to have assisted anglers to engage in better handling practices.
- Anglers identified blackwater events and carp as major threats, and ranked fish stocking and current regulations (slot limit) as the most important fishery management interventions for sustaining the Murray Cod fishery.
Anglers who completed the survey also shared comments on the Murray cod fishery, revealing ‘bright spot’ quotes including:
“Overall, the Murray Cod fishery has improved greatly [in] the last 10 years. Habitats, stocking, and better information on handling and release have greatly improved the sustainable Cod fishery.”
“Just being on [or] in the water, by myself, fishing for Cod is amazing for my mental health. I am lucky enough to be able to walk out my back door and be in the gin clear water of the upper Ovens [River] fishing for Cod. Not many things are better. Upstream wading for trout, downstream paddling for Cod. I am blessed.”
Professor Andy Danlychuk, (University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA) lead author of the study said: “Anglers clearly care about Murray cod as an iconic Australian recreational fish species, and they want to ensure they handle them using science-based best practices to maximise the welfare of released fish”.
Taylor Hunt, Manager of Recreational Fisheries for the Victoria Fisheries Authority and co-author of the study said: “the findings provide encouragement that fisheries management actions have and continue to make a difference to the recovery Murray cod, including large scale hatchery production and stocking, habitat restoration, slot limits and improved handling of Murray cod.”
“The recovery of Murray cod is a fantastic case study that we can apply to the recovery of other threatened native fish species like trout cod and Macquarie perch.”
For a full copy of the paper, download it here or email taylor.hunt@vfa.vic.gov.au
