Mr WARREN - 2006-10-18
I recently heard that staff from your department have undertaken an annual count of barramundi in Corroboree Billabong. What are the results of that survey, and what does this mean for recreational anglers?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. It is correct that Fisheries scientists and researchers from my department have been undertaking an annual count of barra at the Corroboree Billabong to assess the health of the barra fishery.
The survey, which is known as Barracade, involves netting off about 450 m of the Corroboree Billabong and then determining the number of barra in the area. The barra are caught, tagged and released alive on the other side of the net. After some simple maths, the number of barramundi in the Corroboree Creek system can be calculated.
It sounds easy to cordon off an area of a billabong, catch a few barra and sample the contingent, but the sampling continues through into the night. Corroboree has a number of large, dominant male crocs and the numbers are increasing. I understand the crocs are becoming very cheeky and it is getting to the stage where an occasional tug of war does occur when researchers are retrieving nets. The crocs follow the boats and to them it is a good opportunity to have a quick meal. Our scientists deserve a medal for doing this. I know where I would rather be at night, and that is not out on a billabong netting barra.
This research gives an insight into the health of the barra stocks in one of our iconic fishing destinations, and that is obviously the Mary River fishing system. This research has uncovered that the health of our barra stocks is not just linked to our big Wet Seasons. Unfortunately, baby barra appear at the top of the menu for large barra and, as you know, barramundi are a cannibalistic predator. There is a trend between the number of older fish, generally one and two years old, and the success of the breeding season. This year’s survey revealed that 93% of the barra caught were less than the legal limit of 55 cm.
Fishing is the lure of the Territory; it attracts over 100 000 fishing tourists each year and, in some areas of the Territory, up to 50% of our population go fishing. Many anglers tell me that the unparalleled fishing experience in the Territory is the reason why many of them have moved here. The innovative research being undertaken by my department is ensuring that the fishing experience will continue well into the future.
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. It is correct that Fisheries scientists and researchers from my department have been undertaking an annual count of barra at the Corroboree Billabong to assess the health of the barra fishery.
The survey, which is known as Barracade, involves netting off about 450 m of the Corroboree Billabong and then determining the number of barra in the area. The barra are caught, tagged and released alive on the other side of the net. After some simple maths, the number of barramundi in the Corroboree Creek system can be calculated.
It sounds easy to cordon off an area of a billabong, catch a few barra and sample the contingent, but the sampling continues through into the night. Corroboree has a number of large, dominant male crocs and the numbers are increasing. I understand the crocs are becoming very cheeky and it is getting to the stage where an occasional tug of war does occur when researchers are retrieving nets. The crocs follow the boats and to them it is a good opportunity to have a quick meal. Our scientists deserve a medal for doing this. I know where I would rather be at night, and that is not out on a billabong netting barra.
This research gives an insight into the health of the barra stocks in one of our iconic fishing destinations, and that is obviously the Mary River fishing system. This research has uncovered that the health of our barra stocks is not just linked to our big Wet Seasons. Unfortunately, baby barra appear at the top of the menu for large barra and, as you know, barramundi are a cannibalistic predator. There is a trend between the number of older fish, generally one and two years old, and the success of the breeding season. This year’s survey revealed that 93% of the barra caught were less than the legal limit of 55 cm.
Fishing is the lure of the Territory; it attracts over 100 000 fishing tourists each year and, in some areas of the Territory, up to 50% of our population go fishing. Many anglers tell me that the unparalleled fishing experience in the Territory is the reason why many of them have moved here. The innovative research being undertaken by my department is ensuring that the fishing experience will continue well into the future.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016