Stocked perch come of age
Research shows Victorian Government's stocking program is doing wellIn a world first, Fisheries Victoria has developed a large-scale breeding and stocking program for the elusive estuary perch.
Since 2012, more than 220,000 estuary perch fingerlings have been stocked in ten waters across south west Victoria including: Lakes Hamilton; Beaufort; Struan; Albert Park; Bolac; Devilbend Reservoir; Pertobe; Werribee River; and Melton Reservoir.
Recent fish surveys on six of these lakes, conducted with the help of Deakin University and a commercial eel fyke net fisher, show that these fisheries are developing well. Lake Bolac boasted the biggest perch of 28.3cm. It weighed 486 grams and was most likely from the lake’s first stocking of 7000 fingerlings in January 2012. Since then, the lake has been stocked with nearly 43,000 perch fingerlings. This excellent growth rate, coupled with the species’ long life span of up to 40 years, suggests quality fisheries can be created.
This project and others like it are creating new angling opportunities and supporting the State Government’s Target One Million plan, which aims to improve recreational fishing.
For further information visit: http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/fishing-and-hunting/recreational-fishing/fish-stocking/inland-estuary-perch-fisheries
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
