Regional Fisheries Consultations Meeting Outcomes - 2009 Fisheries Management Paper Fisheries Victoria Management Report Series No. 72 November 2009 www.dpi.vic.gov.au CC/XX/XXXX If you would like to receive this information/publication in an accessible format (such as large print or audio) please call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186, TTY 1800 122 969, or email [email protected]. Published by the Department of Primary Industries Fisheries Victoria, November 2009 © The State of Victoria 2009. This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. 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Regional Fisheries Consultations Meeting Outcomes - 2009 Fish Stocking, Fish Population Surveys and other Recreational Fisheries Management Issues Fisheries Management Paper Fisheries Victoria Fisheries Victoria Management Report Series No. 72 November 2009 Regional Fisheries Consultations Meeting Outcomes - 2009 3 4 Regional Fisheries Consultations Meeting Outcomes - 2009 Contents Introduction 7 2009 CONS commitments 7 Background 7 2008 salmonid stocking results 7 2008 native stocking results 7 2008 totals (salmonids and natives) 7 Fisheries Victoria contacts 7 Statewide issues 9 Fish stocking in lakes and streams 9 Family Fishing Lakes stocking 9 Premier Lakes stocking 9 Premier Rivers 9 Trial Macquarie perch breeding program 9 New Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group 9 Inland Fishery Management Plans 10 New native fish production facility for Snobs Creek 10 Gippsland 11 Australian bass for Gippsland 11 Barramundi in Hazelwood Pondage 11 North East 12 Supporting the recovery of the recreational fishing industry in bushfire damaged areas 12 Developing a trial recreational fishery for trout cod 12 Goulburn River stocking 12 Nagambie Lakes 12 North West 13 Kerang Lakes 13 Regional Fisheries Consultations Meeting Outcomes - 2009 5 Port Phillip 14 Developing new fisheries at Devilbend Reservoir 14 South West 15 Estuary perch in Lake Bolac 15 Improving angler access at Aringa Reservoir 15 Improving angler access at Lake Purrumbete 15 Appendix 1 16 Appendix 2 - Fish Stocking for Recreational Purposes Policy 37 Appendix 3 - Organisational abbreviations 40 Appendix 4 - Fisheries Management Reports 41 6 Regional Fisheries Consultations Meeting Outcomes - 2009 Introduction 2009 CONS commitments 2008 salmonid stocking results The CONS stocking commitments scheduled a total of The stocking plan for salmonids developed from CONS 1,761,791 fish to be stocked in Victorian public waters for meetings identified a suggested stocking profile of 386,685 recreational purposes in 2009. salmonids to be stocked in the 2008 calendar year if favourable environmental conditions occurred. The total number of salmonids to be stocked in 2009 is 341,091 and the total number of natives scheduled to be In 2008 a total of 367,870 (or 95.1%) of the scheduled stocked in 2009 is 1,420,700. salmonids were stocked. A total of 90 salmonid waters were stocked in 2008. A further seven salmonid waters from 2007 were not stocked due to Background impacts from drought. The CONS meetings held in February 2009 decide upon the stockings which will occur in 2009. The meetings are the focal points for information from various sources, including 2008 native stocking results requests and viewpoints from anglers. Draft reports of the CONS scheduled 995,150 natives to be stocked in 2008 if meetings are prepared by Fisheries Victoria and circulated to favourable environmental conditions occurred. participating stakeholders for comment prior to publication of this document. This report is a summary of the key Over 833,250 fish were stocked representing 84% of the outcomes of the 2009 CONS meetings. stocking commitment. The Victorian Government has committed $13.5 million to enhance recreational fishing opportunities throughout Victoria, including a 30% increase in salmonid and native fish 2008 totals (salmonids and natives) stocking between 2006-2010 in Victorian public water for recreational purposes. Stakeholders have input into the Of the total 1,381,835 scheduled stocking of salmonid and process that determines what fish species go where and native fish, 1,200,820 were stocked. when, through their participation in the annual regional consultative meetings (CONS). Fisheries Victoria contacts CONS provides a forum for discussion on fish stocking regimes, fish population surveys and other related For management issues: recreational fisheries management issues. Meetings involve Head Office: John Douglas 03 5772 0200 representatives from Fisheries Victoria, VRFish, Water Gippsland: Dick Brumley 03 5155 8108 Management Authorities, Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs), the Department of Sustainability and North East: Joy Sloan 02 6043 7929 Environment (DSE), and other organisations connected with North West: Joy Sloan 02 6043 7929 recreational fishing. South West: Craig Murdoch 03 5233 5580 The role of the meetings is to: Port Phillip: Peter Lawson 03 5226 4510 • Review the current year's stocking plans and identify For compliance issues: necessary modifications To report fisheries offences call 13FISH (133 474). • Draft the following year’s stocking plans • Identify management questions to be answered by stock or catch assessments • Identify current fishery management issues. The Department acknowledges and commends the important contribution made by stakeholders who provide their time to prepare for and attend these meetings. Regional Fisheries Consultations Meeting Outcomes - 2009 7 Figure 1. Map of Victoria showing Department of Primary Industries regional boundaries 8 Regional Fisheries Consultations Meeting Outcomes - 2009 Statewide issues The following is an overview to key statewide issues Premier Rivers relating to fish stocking. Issues relating to each region are further described later. To cater for more experienced anglers, sections of the Hopkins, Goulburn and Kiewa rivers will be developed and promoted as Premier Rivers. The rivers have been chosen Fish stocking in lakes and streams for their existing riverine environments and high recreational angling values. The Hopkins River was launched in April The salmonid and native stocking tables included in 2009. The Premier Rivers have increased access for appendix 1 detail the planned public water stocking rates for anglers. the 2009 salmonid and 2009/2010 native stocking seasons and are determined through the regional stakeholder consultation process (CONS). Trial Macquarie perch breeding The proposed figures are based on the projected water program levels for each of the identified water bodies. Prior to stocking, each water is assessed and where required, fish The Department of Primary Industries is exploring options for numbers adjusted according to the prevailing conditions. Any developing a stock enhanced recreational fishery for figures shown in brackets are the maximum stocking rates Macquarie perch. A national workshop in 2008 identified approved if conditions substantially exceed projections. research and policy directions necessary for the trial of a breeding program for the species. A summary of this meeting is available at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing then click on Family Fishing Lakes stocking Recreational Fishing. A steering committee consisting of representatives from Native Fish Australia, VRFish, the The Family Fishing Lakes Program stocks ready-to-catch Arthur Rylah Institute and Fisheries Victoria will guide the advanced yearling rainbow trout into suitable impoundments program. A breeding program has recently begun at Snobs during the second and third school holidays. The primary Creek. purpose is to provide a recreational fishing experience to junior anglers and anglers with restricted mobility. The waters selected are close to populated areas with good New Recreational Fishing Grants access. There are 56 suitable waters located near urban centres throughout Victoria that are stocked with ready to Working Group catch rainbow trout as part of the Family Fishing Lakes The Victorian Government is implementing new consultation stocking program. arrangements to assist in the future management of the community's fisheries resources, with a strong focus on providing a broader range of opportunities for engagement Premier Lakes stocking