May 24, 2019
The Maribyrnong River flows through the western suburbs of Melbourne for more than 40 kilometres. The most common fish targeted by our fishers include black bream and mulloway, while snapper and salmon are also found particularly in the lower reaches.
The Maribyrnong River is in need of some TLC after years of dredging, de-snagging, removal of riparian vegetation and many other factors. While it is still seen as an important urban fishery, the health of the river and lack of in-stream fish habitat is holding it back from its full potential.
The Metropolitan Anglers Association and VRFish are also behind the push to get a boat ramp on the Maribyrnong River. Currently, the closest ramp is all the way down at the ‘Warmies’ in Newport and can take an hour to motor up to fishing spots on the river, all the while having to navigate past the Port of Melbourne.
Victorian Fisheries Authority is leading a three-year project ($815,000) to improve the Maribyrnong River as a recreational fishery through partnership with recreational fishers, Department of Environment Land Water and Planning, Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria and local councils. The project is being funded by $200,000 of our recreational fishing license fees.
The Maribyrnong River Native Fish Revival Project project includes:
– fish population monitoring,
– fish habitat mapping,
– a new boat launching facility,
– stocking of estuary perch,
– installation of in-stream fish habitat,
– improved angling access,
– a study of early fishing history, project evaluation
– a recreational users study
The Victorian Fisheries Authority are currently conducting a ‘recreational users survey’ which is vital to help understand which locations are most valued by all recreational water users, including recreational fishers.
If you are interested in completing the survey, it can be accessed here.
More information on the Maribyrnong Native Fish Revival Project can be found here.
