Stocked barramundi create fishing frenzy in Victoria
Hazelwood Pondage, the hot-water dam in Latrobe Valley, has come alive with anglers chasing barraVictorian anglers who’ve always dreamed about bagging a barramundi realised their dream on Friday (December 3) after Hazelwood Pondage re-opened to recreational fishers following a ballot system.
Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing officially opened the pondage that's attracting attention from anglers throughout regional Victoria and even as far as Queensland to chase the stocked barramundi.
More than 14,000 people registered their interest in the Barra Ballot for the new fishery in its first week, which includes boat-based fishers and kayaks chasing a quality angling experience.
"This is big news for anglers across the nation that have been
vying to get a chance to bag a barra. For those who had doubts, our
barra fishery is truly amazing," Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
said.
"The creation of a barramundi fishery in Victoria will
provide new fishing opportunities for locals and keen anglers throughout
the state, adding to our diverse range of great angling destinations."
A maximum of 25 boats are permitted per day, however, there are no limits on the number of shore-based fishers who can cast in a line and try their luck.
The daily bag limit is one barramundi per person and independent testing has confirmed consumption is safe at recommended levels of two to three serves per week.
Monitoring of the stocked barramundi has revealed specimens over 6kg with greater numbers of smaller fish that will provide exciting fishing opportunities for experts and beginners alike.
Stocking barramundi into Hazelwood Pondage is part of the Target One Million plan for recreational fishing, which aims to get more people fishing, more often, and grow participation to one million by 2020.
The Victorian Government is investing $46 million towards recreational fishing to get more people enjoying the benefits of an active outdoor pastime that’s good for mental health, good for relationships and good for regional towns that depend in tourism.
The ballot for boating anglers on Hazelwood during December is now fully allocated, however, anglers can still register interest until Wednesday December 14, 2016, for fishing days between January 1 and 31 March, 2017, by visiting www.vic.gov.au/barra.
Unfortunately, with the coal-fired powerplant going offline next year, the hot water pondage will be no more and this barra stocking experiment will grind to a halt.
Photo Credit: Paul Worsteling IFISH.
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