First steps in trout investigation

The Goulburn River near Kevington was recently stocked with 5000 brown trout as part of the Victorian Coalition Government’s investigation into the cause of declined trout populations in High Country rivers.

A further 5000 brown trout will also be released into the Howqua River near Sheepyard Flat tomorrow.

Parliamentary Secretary for Primary Industries and Member for Benalla Bill Sykes said the trout had been marked by volunteers from Mansfield and District Flyfishing Club prior to being released as part of the Wild Trout Fishery Management Program, allowing the stocked trout to be distinguished from wild fish spawned naturally in the river.

"Over the next three years, DEPI fisheries researchers will undertake annual backpack electro-fishing surveys at sites along the two stocked rivers to check the progress of the stocked fish and wild trout numbers,” Dr Sykes said.

"Anglers will also be interviewed along the riverbanks each year to determine the proportion of caught trout that are marked.

"All of this information is vital to inform the Wild Trout Fishery Management Program and help to establish what has contributed to reports of declined brown trout numbers in High Country rivers."

Member for Seymour and Liberal candidate for Eildon Cindy McLeish said Victoria’s northeast and Gippsland trout rivers were highly valued by freshwater anglers, local communities, the tourism sector and the fishing tackle industry.

"This investigation also involves tracking trout in the Delatite River, conducting annual surveys of spawning success in 12 iconic trout rivers, and monitoring catch and harvest levels of trout," Ms McLeish said.

"It is an extensive and thorough program of initiatives that will allow Fisheries Victoria to better understand why numbers of trout have declined and how populations can be improved."

Further trout stockings in the two rivers is planned in 2015 and 2016 as part of the program, which is funded by fishing licence fees and the Coalition Government’s $16 million Recreational Fishing Initiative.

Nationals Candidate for Eildon Jim Child said the Victorian Coalition Government was committed to supporting and improving the state’s recreational fishing industry.

"The Coalition Government recognises the important social and economic contribution of recreational fishing and we are building a better Victoria by ensuring our state remains a top fishing destination for locals and visitors," Mr Child said.

The brown trout released into the Upper Goulburn River were stocked over 26 kilometres from Jamieson upstream to Edwards Creek. In the Howqua River, the trout were released from Running Creek Reserve 10 kilometres upstream to Sheepyard Flat.

Mansfield and District Flyfishing Club President, Graham Godber, said being involved as volunteers in marking the brown trout, and then their release, was a partnership approach they valued with freshwater fisheries managers from Fisheries Victoria.

For more information visit www.depi.vic.gov.au/troutrecovery