Marine fish stocking
NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) has prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (undertaken by the Cardno Ecology Lab) on a proposed marine fish stocking program in selected estuaries along the NSW coast to improve recreational fishing opportunities in NSW. Native fish and trout have been successfully stocked in freshwater rivers and impoundments for over fifty years to boost fish stocks and enhance fishing opportunities however there has been no equivalent marine program implemented so far.
The University of NSW (UNSW) in collaboration with NSW DPI previously completed pilot research stockings of mulloway and Eastern king prawns in estuaries to evaluate ecological aspects and effectiveness of marine stockings. These successful stockings provided essential information for the development of a management strategy for an ongoing marine stocking program. However, before the implementation of such a program can occur, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required in accordance with the requirements of the NSW Environment Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999.
The key objective of the proposed marine stocking program is to enhance recreational fish stocks and improve recreational fishing opportunities. The proposed marine fish stocking program aims to stock mulloway, Eastern king prawns, dusky flathead, sand whiting, blue swimmer crabs, giant mud crabs and yellowfin bream in selected estuaries along the NSW coast in recruitment limited situations.
Public Exhibition
The marine fish stocking EIS is public exhibition period has now closed.
For more information on the marine fish stocking EIS or to obtain a copy of the EIS on CD-ROM phone NSW DPI on (02) 6042 4202 or email fishstocking.eis@industry.nsw.gov.au.
