Boosted fish stocks for Riverina

Fish stocks in the Riverina area will get a boost with the release today of thousands of fingerlings in Billabong Creek, north of Deniliquin by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

Approximately 48,000 Golden perch will be released into the creek today (Tuesday 25 April 2007). The fingerlings, which have been bred at the NSW Government hatchery at Narrandera, are about 35 mm in length.

The DPI as part of its ongoing native fish stocking program will also be stocking the Blowering Dam near Tumut, and the Burrinjuck dams near Yass with 30,000 and 50,000 golden perch respectively.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), recreational fishing manager, John Diplock, said recreational anglers would benefit from the project.

“They can look forward to catching these fish in a couple of years when they reach the minimum legal size of 30 cm,” Mr Diplock said.

Average size of full grown Golden perch is about two kilograms. The daily bag limits are five per day in streams, rivers and dams.

The stocking is part of an ongoing commitment by the Recreational Fishing Trusts to improve fishing in NSW.

“All funds raised from the recreational fishing licence are placed into saltwater and Freshwater Recreational Fishing Trusts and can only be spent on projects to improve recreational fishing,” Mr Diplock said.

More information on the DPI fish stocking program and a full list of Recreational Fishing Trusts projects is available at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries

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