21 December 2009

Recent calls from a scientist to introduce freshwater closures and lock up important inland fishing locations has failed to identify anglers are enjoying some of the best fishing opportunities for decades, especially for species such as the iconic Murray Cod

The Victorian Recreational Fishing Peak Body, VRFish, continues to receive reports from recreational fishers of an ongoing resurgence in Murray Cod numbers across the Murray Darling Basin, especially the Murray River and its states tributaries. Anglers have also noted countless numbers of under-size Murray Cod are being carefully returned to the water.

Locking up sections of rivers or wetlands is unrealistic as fishing regulations including size, catch and possession limits are an essential part of the regulatory regime. Closed seasons to protect spawning Murray Cod are also in place to ensure natural recruitment opportunities.

A National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey funded by the FRDC found anglers were actually returning 77% of caught Murray Cod back to the water. Another recent scientific survey conducted with a cross section of Donald Angling Club members demonstrated that angler caught and released Murray Cod had an exceptional survival rate.

The Chairman of VRFish Geoff Cramer said: "Recreational fishers are certainly not the problem! Most anglers are conservationists and are carefully releasing the larger fish and complying with fishing regulations to provide sustainable fishery management outcomes. The major problems in recent years have been the poor management of water flows during the hot summer months where thousands of Murray Cod, including an unacceptable number of large brood fish unnecessarily perished in several riverine systems."

"It is clearly evident that our important native fish species can survive during times of low water flows and seasonal variability provided we all acknowledge the needs of good water management during the spring and summer months. Poor water management decisions can have disastrous effects on recruitment and survival of icon species like Murray Cod.

Recent management initiatives by DPI, Fisheries Victoria, that include a new native fish hatchery together with an increased stocking regime of native fish species, clearly indicates recreational fishers can look forward to a continued resurgence of native fish species.
Closing or locking up freshwater fishing locations to prevent angling is not needed, unwarranted and scientifically unjustified." Chairman Geoff concluded.

Media Contact: Christopher Collins 03 9686 7077 or 0409 104 710