Fisheries Victoria
'A fortnightly round-up of recreational fisheries management issues'
Fish-e-Fax Issue 191, 15 March 2007
A welcomed boost for native stocks
February has been a busy month for the Fisheries Victoria stocking program with over 300,000 native fish liberated into 26 waters across the state. Native fish are stocked during the warmer summer months when water temperatures are most favourable for the survival of fingerlings.
Stocking Murray cod into the Goulburn River.
Consultation with Water Management Authorities and regional stakeholders has allowed Fisheries Managers to identify suitable waters to receive stock over the summer period.
Waters will be stocked when:
The habitat is suitable for survival and growth of the selected species,
Recruitment will support the fishery,
The fish are accessible to anglers,
The water is within the known former natural range of the species, and
The conservation status of other native fish species is not at risk.
Stocked native fingerlings take on average three to four years to reach their minimum legal lengths. Many waters have historically been stocked for several years and support wild populations, so native fish will be of takeable size.
Blue-green algae – information for anglers
With the on-going effects of the drought in Victoria, many waterways and storages have been encountering high incidents of blue-green algal blooms. It is important that water users understand the impacts blooms may have on our waters so that necessary adjustments can be made towards recreational activities and usages.
Blue-green algae occur naturally in Australian waterways, and blooms are triggered by a combination of environmental conditions. Extensive blooms can cause serious problems for water suppliers and users. Not all blooms are dangerous as many are composed of non-toxic species.
Favourable conditions for blooms include:
Nutrient levels, such as phosphorus and nitrogen are present in levels that support growth
Water is still or turbulence is minimal
Weather patterns are stable for an extended period
Warm weather (some species also bloom in cooler weather).
The main advantage that many species of blue-greens have over other aquatic microorganisms is the presence of gas pockets. The vacuoles allow the photosynthetic bacteria to adjust its buoyancy to take advantage of either sunlight on the waters surface or nutrients lower in the water column. Some blooms can persist for several months, with only the arrival of windy weather, increased flow or treatment from water management reducing or halting the bloom.
Blue-green algal blooms may lead to:
Unpleasant appearance of water and pungent smells,
Allergic reactions, gastroenteritis, liver damage or more severe effects such as tumours through ingestion or contact by humans or animals, and
Poisoning of fish, waterfowl and aquatic food sources within the effected water body.
If you suspect the presence of blue-green algae you should not use the water for any purposes and advice the local water authority. Alternative water sources should be utilised until a suitably trained person has identified the algae. Please note that boiling the water will not destroy harmful toxins.
Stocking update
The following waters were stocked by Fisheries Victoria during the month of February 2007.
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