23 April 2004

Barra bonanza for Clermont fish stockers
An armada of 13 boats and 30 fish stocking enthusiasts turned out for the annual netting survey at Clermont’s Theresa Creek Dam – a reflection of the overwhelming community support to create a local recreational barramundi fishery.

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries senior extension officer Peter Long said Clermont Fish Stocking Group members were ecstatic when they netted 44 healthy barramundi on April 21.

Group members helped to set 13 gill nets between 3.30pm and 7pm around the 250-hectare dam that is currently at about 90 per cent capacity.

From the initial December 2002 stocking of 15,000 barramundi fingerlings just 50mm long, the biggest fish caught measured 720mm and weighed in at 6kgs.

Mr Long said the majority of the 18-month-old fish averaged 400mm to 550mm and would certainly reach the legal minimum of 580mm for the 2004-05 summer season.

Clermont Fish Stocking Group secretary Paul Wilson said there had been a followup stocking in December last year of a further 3400 barramundi ranging in size from 200mm to 500mm.

“Our group has followed Queensland Fisheries Service North Queensland research advice that has shown there are cost-benefits in stocking fewer but bigger sized yearling barramundi,” Mr Wilson said.

“ We have now placed hatchery orders for more of these bigger fish to be stocked in the coming summer months.”

Peter Long said the Theresa Creek Dam’s barramundi were thriving on a diet of bony bream and shrimp with grow out rates for the stocked fish being far superior to those in estuarine waters.

A netting survey in 2002 had indicated there were no bony bream in Theresa Creek dam. With an authorised permit, DPI&F and group members relocated bream from below the dam wall to create a breeding population within the impoundment.

During the April 21 survey, 37 bony bream of varying sizes were netted indicating there was now a strong population of these native fish providing a vital food source for the barramundi.

Belyando Shire Council and Blair Athol Mine have backed the Clermont Fish Stocking Group to raise funds and gain in-kind support for the development of barbeque facilities, picnic tables and shelter sheds, a casting platform for anglers, boat ramp extensions and a swimming beach area. The Council’s Camping facilities have also been extended to cater for increasing numbers of interstate and local visitors.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further information:
Peter Long, Senior Extension Officer, Queensland Fisheries Service, Rockhampton. Ph: +61 7 4936 0253, Mob: 0428 799 574
Paul Wilson, Secretary, Clermont Fish Stocking Group. Mob: 0417 079 434
Media Officer: Russ Boadle. Ph: +61 7 4936 0320, Mob: 0418 789939
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Media Unit
Central Region Office, PO Box 6014, Rockhampton Mail Centre, Qld 4702. Fax: +61 7 4936 0317
DPI&F Call Centre 8am-6pm weekdays on local call 13 25 23