As Fisho reported yesterday, Sydney anglers have been encountering numbers of small barramundi within the Harbour. We confirmed the taking of a barra last Friday by entrants involved in a pre-fish session of the BETS bream fishing Grand Final, during the Sydney boat show – see link to related story below right.
As reported in our original story rumours about the origins of Sydney Harbour’s barra suggested the fish had been released from the nearby Sydney Fish Market. A spokesman from the Sydney Fish Market has refuted these rumours, telling Fisho, “Sydney Fish Market Pty Ltd does not sell live barramundi through the auction. We sell both wild caught and farmed barramundi, however none of this is live. Further we do not condone the release of live fish into the waterways as it is illegal to do so without a permit.
“Whilst Sydney Fish Market Pty Ltd does not sell live barramundi, we are aware that some restaurants and retail outlets do source live fish direct from aquiculture farms.”
The NSW Industry & Investment has told us they are aware of the situation and are investigating. An I&I NSW spokesperson told Fisho, “Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW) is aware of recent reports of barramundi in Sydney Harbour and are investigating the source of these releases.
“I&I NSW would like to reiterate that it is illegal to release fish into public waters in NSW without a permit.
“Barramundi is a tropical and semi-tropical species and cannot survive the colder water temperatures of Sydney Harbour.
“People are reminded never to set free or dump fish, plants and snails into waterways.
“Releasing fish from your aquarium, pond or other sources can pose a serious threat to our ecosystems and they can also spread diseases and parasites.”
Industry & Investment NSW encourages anyone with an interest in fish stocking to contact the Department.
