Native Fish Australia (Wimmera) Inc. Has been successful in securing $133,920 of funding via the Department Of Primary Industries Recreational Fishing Licence Grants program.
The primary aim of the project is to establish a reliable supply of Catfish fingerlings, and to establish new stocking-based recreational fisheries for Freshwater Catfish in northern Victoria.
Freshwater catfish were once a popular recreational fish widely distributed through the Murray-Darling Basin. Changes in water management, barriers to fish movement, introduced species and siltation have led to a dramatic reduction in the abundance and range of catfish distribution, particularly in the last few decades.
Victorian Freshwater Catfish now have low abundance and limited distribution and are mostly found in a few rivers in the Wimmera Basin and some lagoons, wetlands, weir pools and impoundments.
At present Freshwater Catfish in Victoria are listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act and can now only be legally taken by fishers in the Wimmera Basin where they were introduced in the early 1900’s with a bag limit of two fish per angler. This is the last remaining fishery for recreational anglers who wish to pursue this formally abundant fish.
Native Fish Australia, VR Fish and other recreational fishing organisations have received a strong message from anglers, to create new recreational catfish fisheries, and ultimately to expand stocking to aid in the recovery of Catfish populations.
Catfish have an excellent reputation as a fighting fish with very good eating qualities. The importance of this fish was evident in the recent return of the annual Horsham Fishing Comp where the primary native fish taken was Catfish.
The Native Fish Recovery Working Group, convened by Fisheries Victoria with representation from Native Fish Australia, VR Fish, and DSE will work together to identify target waters in northern Victoria that could be used to restore populations and establish new recreational fisheries for Freshwater Catfish as a result of this project.
In addition to the Fingerling Production component of this project there is also a Research component to be explored by this project.
• identify endemic catfish population genetics that could be impacted by the stocking
• Research artificial breeding hormones, as an alternative to Carp Pituitary Gland.
• Research more effective technique’s for extracting milt from males.
• Research in Improving methods for over wintering broodstock.
Native Fish Australia (Wimmera) Inc. would like to acknowledge the following groups who formally supported this project application-
• VR Fish,
• Wimmera Anglers Association Inc,
• Northern Association of Angling Clubs Inc
