Lake Kurwongbah fish supply grows
The 110,000 Australian Bass fingerlings released in Lake Kurwongbah earlier this year as part of a recreational fishing development program are already halfway towards reaching their full legal length for fishing.
Divisional Councillor David Dwyer (Div 7) said the fingerlings, were introduced to the lake for both recreational fishing and to control the Tilapia, a noxious pest fish in Australia, which dominate the lake’s fish stock at present.
Divisional Councillor David Dwyer (Div 7) said the fingerlings, were introduced to the lake for both recreational fishing and to control the Tilapia, a noxious pest fish in Australia, which dominate the lake’s fish stock at present.
“The Department of Primary Industries encourages local recreational anglers to humanely kill Tilapia fish and dispose of them away from the waterways,” Cr Dwyer said.
“The Australian Bass, which were put into Lake Kurwongbah in February this year when only 2.5cm, are currently about 15cm and should grow to about 35cm (the legal length), in the latter half of next year.
“About 18 months from the time they were introduced, we should have a fully stocked dam thanks to a $51,000 Federal Government grant from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), in conjunction with a $5,000 Moreton Bay Regional Council grant.”
He said every dollar spent on fish stock can attract $50 back into the local economy through recreational fishing and tourism.
“While Australian Bass won’t breed in the lake, other native fish species released as part of the program will add another dimension to the fish stocks in the lake,” Cr Dwyer said.
He said in Australia, when released in a suitable water way, the Tilapia are capable of dominating native fisheries and ecosystems.
“In Lake Kurwongbah Tilapia represent the largest bio-mass in the lake, with many thousands of them present,” Cr Dwyer said.
“The Australian Bass have been brought in to control them, and we have seen incredible growth in the bass fish already.”
Cr Dwyer said Department of Primary Industries (DPI) staff were regularly monitoring and collecting data on the Australian Bass released in Lake Kurwongbah.
He said apart from the DPI and DAFF’s assistance, the Pine Rivers Fish Management Association volunteers have helped make this project a success.
“The Australian Bass, which were put into Lake Kurwongbah in February this year when only 2.5cm, are currently about 15cm and should grow to about 35cm (the legal length), in the latter half of next year.
“About 18 months from the time they were introduced, we should have a fully stocked dam thanks to a $51,000 Federal Government grant from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), in conjunction with a $5,000 Moreton Bay Regional Council grant.”
He said every dollar spent on fish stock can attract $50 back into the local economy through recreational fishing and tourism.
“While Australian Bass won’t breed in the lake, other native fish species released as part of the program will add another dimension to the fish stocks in the lake,” Cr Dwyer said.
He said in Australia, when released in a suitable water way, the Tilapia are capable of dominating native fisheries and ecosystems.
“In Lake Kurwongbah Tilapia represent the largest bio-mass in the lake, with many thousands of them present,” Cr Dwyer said.
“The Australian Bass have been brought in to control them, and we have seen incredible growth in the bass fish already.”
Cr Dwyer said Department of Primary Industries (DPI) staff were regularly monitoring and collecting data on the Australian Bass released in Lake Kurwongbah.
He said apart from the DPI and DAFF’s assistance, the Pine Rivers Fish Management Association volunteers have helped make this project a success.
