Future in the Fresh?

Future in the Fresh?

FOR some time now the carrot of new species for fish stocking has been held in from of the various fish stocking groups and anglers.
Jungle perch were initially mooted as the next boom species be as good as bass in our sweet water fishing scene and was set to take our sweet water fishing along the Qld coastal lakes and rivers to the next level.
The creation of many man made barriers has seen the jungle perch in south east Queensland go from once prevalent, to almost non-existent.
While there are a few remnant pockets still holding out in the south east corner and in northern NSW, time is definitely running out for them.
In north Queensland with its many untouched rivers and streams, the jungle perch is still a common capture.
Much needed research into this species was started last year yet even with some promising results shown, there is now no more funding available for any freshwater research projects in all of Qld to build upon this great work.
In a similar example, some initial research was done on big eye trevally with the view to bring them on-line as a new species for stocking in our coastal lakes.
Some amazing results were shown in growth rates and again the carrot was held up in front of anglers keen to cross swords with this fish in the fresh.
Breeding technology for big eye trevally is not unknown.
In Asia they are commonly bred for aquaculture with little or no fuss.

So where is the bloody hold up?

From all outward appearances it seems that fresh water research in Qld is virtually a non-event.
There is only one (let’s count it O N E) dedicated researcher on a QFS salary in Qld working on freshwater, there is the appearance of one whopping big imbalance.
Qld Fisheries Services are giving the appearance to many of existing simply to protect commercial fishing interests and giving recreational fishing and in particular freshwater the bums rush, the fact that jungle perch and big eye trevally are NOT commercial species seems to be a compelling factor.

The growth of fresh water fishing in Qld is massive, far exceeding any other areas.
This is a direct result of the fish stocking program initiated by the old DPI and now mostly maintained by community based stocking groups.

Freshwater anglers in Qld are now no longer just punters, they/we are stake holders via the Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) scheme.
This is a license to fish in stocked lakes and is backed up by the law similar to a drivers license.
As license holders, anglers have the right to demand the best possible fishery that their money can buy.
That can well mean that new species such as jungle perch and big eye trevally should be available as soon as possible.

Some answers are well over due.
Why there is there no research funds given over to developing out fresh water fisheries to their full potential?
Where is the PPV (percentage from all boat registrations taken in the name of research) money being spent when a percentage is supposed to go towards freshwater projects?
When will some priority be given or action taken to saving the remaining populations of jungle perch in south east Queensland?
How long is the carrot of the new species going to be held in front of fresh water anglers in Qld before they get a bite of it?
If the commercial sector could make a quid out of jungle perch would the much needed research have been done long ago?

I’m publicly asking anyone within QFS that may have half a clue to publicly answer these questions.
Failing a stroke of courage from any QFS pen pusher, I ask the Honorable Minister for Fisheries himself answer these questions.

After all, it is the publics right to know.