Nsw Fish Stocking Season Begins

[Dreamtime]

The start of the 2008/09 NSW fish stocking program kicks off this weekend with the release of thousands of juvenile trout into the State’s waterways, Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald said today.

Mr Macdonald said more than 188,000 rainbow trout fry will be released into rivers and streams of the New England Tablelands this week including:

84,000 into the Wollomombi River near Wollomombi;

42,000 into the Gwydir River near Armidale;

28,000 into the Styx River near Ebor, and;

12,000 into Oaky River near Ebor.

Mr Macdonald said an additional 48,000 brown trout fry will be released into the Styx River near Ebor on (24 August).

"These are the first major releases of the fish stocking season, which runs from August to May each year," Mr Macdonald said.

"The freshwater stocking program provides huge spin off benefits for regional areas, both in boosting tourism and providing economic opportunities for regional economies.

"In two years these trout will be mature - that’s great news for anglers."

Mr Macdonald said the release was great news for local communities.

"The total contribution attributable to fishing in the Snowy region for example, could well be up to $70 million a year," Mr Macdonald said.

Last season, a total 6.4 million fish were released into the State’s water ways, providing quality recreational fishing opportunities for local communities.

"About 2.9 million of the fish stocked in 2007/08 were trout and salmon, released with the help of local acclimatisation societies," Mr Macdonald said.

"The Iemma Government provided more than $1 million towards the stocking program last year to ensure freshwater anglers continue to enjoy freshwater fishing.

"The program is also supported by $346,000 this financial year with funds from the recreational fishing fee."

In addition to the trout and salmon stockings, the NSW Government produces native fish for release into dams specifically for the benefit of anglers. These species include Murray cod, golden perch, silver perch and Australian bass.

A second component of the native fish stocking program provides for the release of Australian bass, Murray cod and golden perch into dams, rivers and streams through the community based dollar-for-dollar stocking scheme, supported by $200,000 this financial year with funds from the recreational fishing fee.