Free Christmas stocking on Maribyrnong River

06 December 2018

For the first time ever, the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) has stocked the Maribyrnong River with 130,000 estuary perch fingerlings and will host a free Christmas event at Canning Reserve on Friday 14 December to celebrate the historic occasion.

VFA CEO, Travis Dowling, said the event is designed to get locals excited about a massive project that is underway to boost native fish populations, improve fish habitat and fishing access on the Maribyrnong River.

“Over $800,000, including $415,000 from the State Government’s Target One Million plan for recreational fishing, is being invested to transform the Maribyrnong fishery,” Mr Dpwling said.

“We want local mums, dads and kids to join us and enjoy a BBQ to see how their river is set to become an inner-city hot spot for families to cast in a line and spend quality time together. There’ll be a jumping castle, coffee van and a surprise appearance from Santa himself!

“Families will also get a chance to release estuary perch into the river and an electro-fishing demonstration will showcase fish species that call the Maribyrnong home.”

Mr Pearson said the recently stocked estuary perch were released with help of local angling club volunteers between Brimbank Park in Keilor and Canning Reserve in Avondale Heights and would reach a catchable size in around three years’ time.

Quotes from Victorian Fisheries Authority CEO, Travis Dowling

“Our free Christmas stocking event is part of the Maribyrnong River Revival Project that will include a new boat ramp, the installation of 30 new fish habitat ‘havens’, new fishing pontoons and the stocking of 300,000 estuary perch over three years.

“The project is a partnership between the VFA, anglers who are contributing $200,000 through their fishing licence fees, Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria and local government. We’d encourage anyone who loves urban green spaces or fishing to join us and celebrate the amazing community asset we’re creating.”