To improve fishing opportunities for recreational anglers, more than 100,000 estuary perch fingerlings have been stocked into seven lakes and rivers across Victoria, including three new waterways never before stocked with the species.
The stocking of Melton Reservoir, Werribee River and Karkarook Lake will improve angling opportunities in future years for residents of these rapidly expanding urban centres west of Melbourne.
The boost in estuary stock is in line with the Andrews Labor Government’s Target One Million plan to boost fish stocks, invest in fishing and boating facilities and increase the number of recreational fishers in Victoria to one million by 2020.
Estuary perch are a popular native species in coastal estuaries so they are an ideal candidate for developing new fisheries in Victoria’s freshwater lakes and rivers south of the Great Dividing Range.
New stocked fisheries for estuary perch have the potential to bring sport-fishing closer to population centres and provide even broader fishing opportunities for beginners and experts.
All of the estuary perch stockings were subject to risk assessments by an expert panel in-line with departmental fish translocation protocols.
Fisheries Victoria are actively reviewing other waters across Victoriato rebuild Estuary Perch populations.
This season’s 107,000 estuary perch fingerlings were funded by the sale of recreational fishing licences and the Victorian Government. The fingerlings were released into:
· Melton Reservoir – 20,000
· Werribee River – 32,000
· Karkrook Lake – 5,000
· Devilbend Reservoir – 25,000
· Hamilton Lake – 10,000
· Albert Park Lake – 10,000
· Struan Lake – 5,000
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford
“By boosting estuary perch stocks, the Andrews Labor Government is providing more opportunities for Victorians to get outdoors and enjoy this great pastime, which contributes so much to our economy and our way of life.”
“Volunteer anglers have played an integral role in building the estuary perch stocking program and we look forward to them reaping the benefits in the years to come.”
“Through the Andrews Labor Government’s Target One Million plan,we’ll make sure Victoria is the best place to wet a line and invest in projects that promote this great activity.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020