Fisheries Victoria Management Report Series No. 85
August 2012

Contents

• Background
• Fish stocking outcomes 2011 season — Summary
  • 2012 Vic Fish Stock meeting outcomes
• Improving your fisheries statewide
  • Recreational Fishing Initiative
  • Recreational Fishing Grants Program (RFGP)
  • Key outcomes 2011/12
  • Fishing for Grants?
  • Fishcare
  • Submitting a change to the fish stocking program
  • Fisheries Victoria contacts
• Appendix 1 - Proposed fish stockings
  • Gippsland
  • North East
  • North West
  • Port Phillip
  • South West
• Appendix 2 - Stocking Submission Check list

Figure 1: Map of Victoria showing Department of Primary Industries regions

Click on the image to view a larger version

Background

The Vic Fish Stock regional consultative meetings were held in March 2012 to plan the number of salmonids to be stocked in 2012 and the number of native fish that will be stocked in 2012-13. The purpose of Vic Fish stock meetings is to:

• Review the current year's stocking plan and identify any modifications
• Draft the following year's stocking plan
• Identify other issues relevant to fish stocking
• Identify current fishery management issues

The Vic Fish Stock meetings provide a forum for discussions on fish stocking regimes and related recreational fisheries management issues. Five meetings were held across regional Victoria:

• Port Phillip meeting held at Melbourne 6^th March 2012
• Gippsland meeting held at Traralgon on the 7^th March 2012
• North East meeting held at Benalla on the 13^th April 2012
• North West meeting held at Bendigo on the 14^th March 2012
• South West meeting held at Colac on the 15^th March 2012

The meetings involve invited representatives from Fisheries Victoria, the Victorian Recreational Fishing representative body (VRFish), the Australian Trout Foundation, Native Fish Australia, Water Management agencies, Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs), Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), and angling association representatives.

Draft outcomes from Vic Fish Stock meetings are prepared by Fisheries Victoria and circulated to meeting participants for comment prior to the publication of this document This report summarises the key outcomes of the 2012 Vic Fish Stock meetings.

The Department acknowledges and values the important contribution made by stakeholders in this process, particularly those who volunteered their time to prepare for, and attend these meetings.

Fish stocking outcomes 2011 season—Summary

Salmonid stocking outcomes

The 2011 Vic Fish Stock proposed 587,250 salmonids to be stocked in 2011. A total of 659,632 salmonids were stocked which included the Family Fishing lakes. No Chinook salmon were available for stocking in 2011. A breakdown of released salmonids species and numbers is presented in the following table.

All trout stocked were produced at Fisheries Victoria's Snobs Creek facility. The in-house production of Snobs Creek was boosted by the improved survival of trout attributed to Improved fish health management controls, vaccination against the bacterial disease Yesinia, and the introduction and use of self-cleaning circular tanks

2011/12 native fish stocking outcomes

The 2011-12 stocking plan for native fish was developed from the 2011 Vic Fish Stock report. It scheduled 2,151,000 native fish to be stocked in 2012. Native fish production shortfalls were experienced during 2011 and some stocking numbers had to be modified. A total of 2,059,192 native fish were stocked. A breakdown of released native fish species and numbers is presented in the following table.

This was a challenging year for the stocking program as significant mortality of Murray cod, Trout cod and Macquarie perch fry and fingerlings occurred that was associated with a white spot outbreak that occurred at the hatchery, and major flooding occurred during March 2012 along the Murrumbidgee River. This flood impacted on the native fish producers and the supply of Golden perch fingerlings.

2012 Vic Fish Stock meeting outcomes

The 2012 Vic Fish Stock outcomes proposed a total of 641,890 salmonids and 2,655,900 native fish to be stocked into Victorian public waters in 2012-13. Details of the proposed species and numbers to be stocked for each water body are presented in Appendix 1.

Summary of proposed Vic Fish Stockings

Note: The final numbers and locations where fish are stocked may be influenced by a range of

• Suitability of receiving water, i.e. water quality, water levels, infrastructure maintenance, decisions of waterway managers
• Security of fish supply i.e. unforseen
• Availability of required stocks from private suppliers

** estimate only. Numbers dependant on

Fig 1. Numbers of fish stocked annually between 1999 and the proposed 2012 stocking for salmonids (blue) and native fish (maroon).

Improving your fisheries statewide

The following is an overview of selected statewide inland fisheries management programs that relate to fish stocking.

Recreational Fishing Initiative

Recreational fishing is important to Victorian fishers and families. According to the Ernst and Young report of 2009, more than 721,000 Victorians go fishing annually, spending $825 million on associated goods and services.

The State Government has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving fishing opportunities by allocating extra funding to the Recreational Fishing Initiative over a four year period. This is on top of recreational fishing licence revenue.

Fisheries Victoria has been working to implement year one of the Recreational Fishing Initiative across a range of programs aimed at building recreational fishing facilities and opportunities across Victoria. The key programs of the Recreational Fishing Initiative are:

BETTER ANGLER ACCESS AND FACILITIES

• Constructing eight new recreational fishing reefs
• Improving angler access to piers, jetties and roads
• Upgrading boat launching facilities
• Building fishing platforms and cleaning tables.

FISH STOCKING

• Stocking popular fish species in waterways recovering from prolonged drought or bushfires
• Funding the operation of Fisheries Victoria's new native fish production facility at Snobs Creek
• Establishing new fisheries with Murray cod, Australian bass, estuary perch, trout cod, Macquarie perch and freshwater catfish.

IMPROVING ANGLER ENGAGEMENT

• Conducting public forums to gather recreational fisher ideas about recreational fishing improvements
• Improving advisory information for fishers, including the Victorian Recreational Fishing iPhone application, multilingual signage, publications and our website.

IMPROVING FISH MOVEMENT

• Installing fish ladders in conjunction with water and land managers.

PROTECTING SPAWNING FISH FROM COMMERCIAL NETTING

• Working with recreational and commercial fishers to implement measures to protect spawning fish stocks near some river mouths.

STRENGTHENING FISHERIES COMPLIANCE

• Target fisheries patrols to peak fishing periods on weekends, public holidays and at night.

FISHERIES RESEARCH

• Conducting priority research and development for recreational fishing e.g. monitoring recreational fishing reefs and refining fish stocking strategies.

Recreational Fishing Grants Program (RFGP)

Every year the Victorian Government, through the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account, disburses revenue derived from the sale of Recreational Fishing Licences to projects that will improve recreational fishing in Victoria.

Since its inception in 2001, the Recreational Fishing Grants Program (RFGP) has funded over 410 projects, worth more than $17.7 million throughout Victoria. The RFGP comprises three separate programs including the Small Grants Program that is continually open to fund small projects (up to $5,000 - GST Exclusive), the Large Grants Program (for projects from $5,001 to $100,000), and, a Commissioning Program for large priority projects (generally in excess of $100,000).

In 2011/12 the Trust allocated $200,000 to Fisheries Victoria to secure additional native and salmonid species for the statewide fish stocking program.

From 2012, the RFL will now contribute more than $820,000 toward this program.

Through the 2010/11 round of the Recreational Fishing Grants Program (RFGP) - Large Grants Program, over $1 million was allocated to 10 projects to improve recreational fishing in Victoria. This investment for 2012 is now over $1.6 million on 18 projects.

2010/12 Funded

Commissioning Grants Program

Through the 2010/11 round of the Recreational Fishing Grants Program - Commissioning Grants Program, over $2.5 million was allocated to four projects:

$1,070,000 over four years to co-fund eight new recreational fishing reefs in estuaries in regional areas and the construction of one large scale off-shore reef;

$779,500 over three years to co-fund the delivery of a massive boost to native fish stocking in Northern Victoria including 8 new boat ramps – See Building Northern Native Fisheries project.

$492,000 over two years to conduct the Angler Diary Program; and

$255,520 to produce and distribute the following education products to recreational anglers:

• 300,000 copies of the 2011/12 Recreational Fishing Guide;
• 200,000 fish length ruler stickers;
• 9,000 abalone, rock lobster & spiny crayfish measures;
• 200 metal fish length rulers for installation at selected piers; and
• 17,000 'Know your limits' pocket cards in four different languages.

During 2010-11, RFL revenue also provided funding to assist Recreational fisheries field services (state wide), and, the purchase and liberation of native and salmonid fish, made in consideration of, and to complement the planned annual stocking program conducted by Fisheries Victoria.

Key outcomes 2011/12

The following is an overview of selected statewide inland fisheries management activities conducted over the year that support recreational fishing.

Recreational Fishing Application for Smartphones

Fisheries Victoria recently developed and released a new fishing application which now brings the popular Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide to the iPhone.

The first of its kind in Australia, the free application features colour illustrations of more than 65 species found in Victoria's waterways.

Anglers can use their the application to identify their catch and confirm size and bag limits, as well as access information on permitted equipment and closed seasons.

The application also allows anglers to buy a recreational fishing licence online. It also includes a GPS locator for finding outlets that sell licences, bait and tackle.

Anglers can use the application to connect to Fisheries Victoria's illegal fishing reporting line (13FISH), DPI's Customer Service Centre and the Water Police, too. It also provides valuable information on Marine Parks boundaries.

An Android version of the application will be available soon.

Fisheries Victoria is looking to expand and improve this product and any suggestions for the further development of the application can be emailed to fishingapp.feedback@dpi.vic.gov.au.

Recreational Fishing Forums 2012

Fisheries Victoria is open to new ideas and ways to keep improving recreational fisheries in Victoria. Each year a series of regional fishing forums are held throughout country Victoria to hear from anglers' about new fishing opportunities and update them about Fisheries Victoria's management activities.

The forums allow anglers to provide their ideas about growing fishing opportunities, and learn more about what Fisheries Victoria is doing to improve angling.

The forums are advertised widely but if you can't make it along on the night you can send in your ideas online at Have Your Say - fishing opportunities in Victoria. Check the Fisheries Victoria website for further details.

Developing New Fisheries

Under the Recreational Fishing Initiative and with funds raised from the sale of recreational fishing licences, Fisheries Victoria is managing a range of projects aimed at improving recreational fishing outcomes for Victorian fishers and their families. The following is a progress report on key projects aimed at

Chinook salmon

Over the last 40 years, Chinook salmon have been bred at Snobs Creek and stocked into western district lakes where they have created exceptional trophy fisheries. At its peak, this fishery was one of the few land locked Chinook salmon fisheries in the world, generating extraordinary angler interest, participation and associated regional economic and social benefits.

The last significant stocking event of 20,000 Chinook salmon occurred in 2006. A number of factors, including long-term drought have impacted on Chinook salmon production.

In 2011, RFL funded was provided to improve the reliability of fish production and stocking of Chinook salmon at DPI Snobs Creek. The project included an assessment of the genetic diversity of Chinook salmon broodfish, a review of fish production methods and new 'best practice' Chinook salmon breeding Standard Operating Procedure. The outcomes of this work will culminate in the 2012 breeding season.

Building Northern Native Fisheries

Over the next three-years this project will stock more than 1 million extra native fish into the Campaspe and Loddon Rivers, Gunbower Creek and Kow Swamp. Kow Swamp for example now has one the highest native fish stocking rates in Australia. In addition, under this project, 8 new boat ramps will be built and land-based angler access improved. The regional benefits of this investment will also be assessed over time.

This project recognises that although the abundance of our native fish has been impacted by changed water management practices, there remains great scope to improve recreational fishing in weir pools and secure waterways Northern Victoria.

Estuary perch

Estuary perch are a popular angling species that are largely confined to Victorian and News south Wales estuaries. A recent breakthrough in the breeding of estuary perch has now created an opportunity to create exciting new fishing opportunities in selected lakes in southern Victoria. Many of these waters are considered unsuitable for trout stocking.

In 2012, for the first time ever, 7000 estuary perch fingerlings were stocked into Lake Bolac.

Anglers directly contributed to the success of the breeding program by participating in the "Great perch search" where broodstock are caught from the Hopkins River. The broodstock were air freighted to Narooma in NSW where a commercial fish producer successfully spawned and raised these fish for release.

The early success of this breeding program has now been extended by RFL funding and new stocking waters are currently being considered to create new estuary perch lake fisheries. In particular, in shallow productive brackish lakes that are not suited to trout stocking.

Australian bass stocking update

In 2011 Australian bass were stocked into the Mitchell, Avon and Thomson rivers, to re-build the populations of wild bass in these streams. Lake Glenmaggie, Blue Rock Reservoir, Lake Narracan and the Macalister River were also stocked for the second consecutive year.

Anglers are starting to report captures of small Australian bass from several of these locations. This is positive news for the future and indicates that the stocked fish have survived and are growing.

Fisheries Victoria with RFL funding is working with the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority to improve angler access and re-establish Australian bass populations in the Nicholson River.

One Million Murray cod stocked into Eildon

Fisheries Victoria is boosting Murray cod stocking in Lake Eildon. The project, titled 'Murray Cod Million – Lake Eildon', will release one million cod over the next three years as the first part of a 10 year massive boost to Murray cod numbers in Lake Eildon. In the summer of 2011-12, 383,000 Murray cod were stocked into the lake. This builds on the 383,000 Murray cod stocked into Eildon in the 2010-11 season. The project is supported through RFL funds.

The project is being monitored by Fisheries Victoria scientists from Snobs Creek. The success of this large pulse of juvenile cod will be tracked by combining expert angler feedback with formal surveys undertaken by the researchers. Social surveys of current angler attitudes and target species have benchmarked the fishery for future comparison to highlight any changes. The fish have all been marked to identify them as the stocked fish. The researchers will survey the lake in 2013 to track how the fish are surviving and growing.

Reports of anglers catching small, possibly stocked Murray cod in Lake Eildon, close to release sites of stocked fish are encouraging.

Snobs Creek hatchery upgrade

A $1.9 million upgrade at DPI Snobs Creek will significantly increase fingerling production of Murray cod and golden perch. It will also expand the capacity to breed endangered fish such as Macquarie perch and trout cod. Native fish upgrades included a series of new brood fish ponds, three new plankton ponds for growing juvenile fish and an eco-friendly wetland for the treatment of effluent water.

Using additional RFL funding, the Snobs creek trout hatchery was also upgraded and new equipment (fish tanks, counter and fish grader) purchased. Water and oxygen supply to the hatchery was also improved.

These improvements have already led to a 75% increase in annual trout production which has enabled Fisheries Victoria to meet its drought recovering waters stocking program without the need to purchase trout from the private sector.

Development of a Macquarie perch recreational fishery

Fisheries Victoria is working closely with Native Fish Australia, the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Goulburn Brocken Catchment Management Authority to develop Macquarie Perch captive breeding techniques.

In March 2010, 3,550 Macquarie perch were released into Expedition Pass Reservoir. In 2011, a total of 8,300 Macquarie perch were released into Expedition Pass Reservoir (3000), Lake William Hovell (2,650) and the Ovens River near Gapstead (2,650).

This year the Macquarie perch breeding season produced 3,620 fingerling Macquarie perch which were released into Expedition Pass Reservoir.

Fish surveys in the Ovens River have recently detected young Macquarie perch. The size of these fish indicates that they are likely to be derived from Fisheries Victoria's stocking program.

Lake Nagambie fishery assessment

Fisheries Victoria reintroduced native fish stocking was into Lake Nagambie in 2008 when 200,000 golden perch and 100,000 Murray cod fingerlings were released. These improved stocking numbers have now been maintained for several years.

Scientists from Fisheries Victoria's Fisheries Research Branch conducted a survey in 2011 to determine if these fish have survived and grown and to assess the benefits from this stocking. The survey results were complemented with angling records from the Nagambie Angling Club's Lake Nagambie fishing competitions. Club catch records show that Golden perch and Murray cod were not recorded in any of the contests between 2003 and 2009 (Fig 1). More recently however these records show that stocked golden perch have survived and have grown to a size where they are now being regularly caught by anglers. The records also indicate that Murray cod are also present in the lake and are just starting to reach legal size.

Fig 2. Murray cod and golden perch captures from Nagambie Angling Club competition records for Goulburn Weir/Lake Nagambie 2003 -2012. Data includes weighed fish (blue) and undersized fish (maroon) captured during the competitions.

Thanks go to the Nagambie Angling Club for supplying the additional data for this study. Angling clubs with similar long term datasets who wish to be involved are encouraged to contact John Douglas (03 5772 0254) at Fisheries Victoria.

Catfish revival - Native Fish Australia

Native Fish Australia (Wimmera) Inc. successfully secured $133,920 of funding through the Recreational Fishing Licence Grants program.

The project's primary aims are to establish a reliable supply of catfish fingerlings from commercial interests and then establish new stocking-based recreational fisheries for freshwater catfish across selected sites in northern Victoria.

The Native Fish Recovery Working Group, convened by Fisheries Victoria with representation from Native Fish Australia, VRFish, 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.

The project also has a research component to:

• 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 techniques for extracting milt from males
• Research in improving methods for over wintering broodstock.

Catfish broodstock are currently being collected and held pending the outcome of an expression of interest to source a suitably experienced fish hatchery.

Fishers for Fish Habitat

The importance of aquatic habitat to fish and fisheries is well recognised by recreational fishers.

Fisheries Victoria has agreed to extend the NSW DPI Fishers for Fish Habitat into Victoria. The program aims to help anglers get involved and advocate for positive environmental outcomes which will improve recreational fishing and protect endangered native fish.

For more information on this program and how to get involved refer: http://www.fishhabitatnetwork.com.au/

Fishing for Grants?

Grants are available to help improve recreational fishing and facilities. Two options for obtaining funding are through the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Fund or the Recreational Fishing Initiative.

RFL Trust Fund Small Grants

The aim of the Small Grants Program is to provide funding of up to $5,000 (GST exclusive) for small projects which benefit public recreational fishing in Victoria.

The Grants are available to fishing clubs and other organisations. Information regarding the Small Grants Program Conditions & Guidelines can be obtained from the Fisheries Victoria website:
http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fisheries/about-fisheries/fishing-grants-program/small-grants-program

To apply for a small grant, applicants are required to use the online application form (at the web address above).

Further information on applying for a small grant can be obtained on the web or contact:

The Secretariat, Recreational Fishing Grants Program,
GPO Box 4440 Melbourne, Victoria 3001 (03) 9658 4779
or email rec.fishinggrants@dpi.vic.gov.au

Recreational Fishing Initiative funding

Recreational fishing generates significant regional economic activity and growth whilst providing substantial social benefits for families and communities. The Recreational Fishing Initiative will bring many benefits to Victorian anglers and will ensure that Victoria remains a top fishing destination.

Funding from the Recreational Fishing Initiative may be available to clubs, agencies and organisations wishing to improve access and facilities related to recreational fishing.

If you have an idea on how to improve recreational fishing access and infrastructure in your local area you can let Fisheries Victoria know by sending an email to recfish.improvements@dpi.vic.gov.au

Or alternatively you can contact:

Alyce Parker – Fisheries Project Officer
PO Box 4440, Melbourne VIC 3001
Ph: (03) 9658 4383

Fishcare

Fishcare Victoria has worked in partnership with volunteers, Fisheries Victoria and a number of fisheries management groups since 1995.

In 2012 Fisheries Victoria provided six months' additional support to the volunteer-based community education organisation to enhance Fishcare's funding, governance and administration in order to provide Fishcare programs to the public.

As the current RFL funding for the Fishcare program ends in 2012, the Fishcare program is being reviewed and a new funding proposal will allow Fishcare to continue encouraging anglers to adopt responsible fishing practices and raise public awareness of aquatic ecosystems.

For further information contact Sam Strong, Fishcare Coordinator on 0409 625 770.

Submitting a change to the fish stocking program

Fisheries Victoria's stocking program is constantly evolving as waterways and climatic conditions change. The need or otherwise to alter to the stocking regimes and stocking rates,in terms of the performance of a fishery or changed environmental conditions, is discussed annually at the Vic Fish Stock meetings.

Anglers wishing to submit a change to the stocking program can do so by contacting Fisheries Victoria (see contact details to right).

This current Vic Fish Stock document is a good reference to the current stocking program. Copies of the report can be accessed at the Fisheries Victoria web site www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/fishing or by requesting a hard copy from John Douglas, (03 5772 0254).

The Fish Stocking for Recreational Purposes Policy is also relevant and anyone wishing to make a submission is encouraged to make themselves familiar with the document before making a submission. The policy is available online at the Fisheries Victoria website: http://www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/fisheries

A checklist of suggested subjects to address when making a submission is provided in Appendix 3.

Fisheries Victoria contacts

For inland fisheries management assistance:

Freshwater Fisheries Manager:
Anthony Forster 03 9658 4375

Fish stocking enquiries:
John Douglas 03 5772 0254

For compliance assistance:

To report fisheries offences call 13 FISH (13 3474).

For general enquiries:

Call the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or visit www.depi.vic.gov.au.

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 customer.service@dpi.vic.gov.au.

Published by the Department of Primary Industries

Fisheries Victoria, August 2012

© The State of Victoria 2012.

This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.

ISBN 978-1-74326-256-6 (print)
978-1-74326-248-1 (online )
978-1-74326-249-8 (pdf)

Authorised by the Department of Primary Industries
1 Spring Street, Melbourne 3000.

Cover: Zach Stevens with an impressive Lake Elingamite rainbow trout

Photo:Shane Stevens

Photo acknowledgements: Marc Ainsworth, Ewan McLean, Paul Petratis, Scott Douglas, Leff Andropof, DPI photo library

Disclaimer

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

For more information about VFA go to www.vfa.vic.gov.au
or phone the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.