FROM THE OFFICE OF VRFISH – VICTORIAS’ RECREATIONAL FISHING PEAK BODY

BE AWARE OF POSSIBLY DISEASED FISH

VRFish encourages recreational fishers to be cautious in the
handling of diseased fish in Port Phillip Bay.

The Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) and the Department of Primary
Industries (DPI) are investigating reports of fish with lesions being caught in the area
between Port Melbourne and Werribee South.

VRFish Chairman Geoff Cramer said that “the reported lesions are on a variety of fish
species and appears quite wide spread, which makes it a major concern to recreational
fishers”.

Water quality seems the most likely culprit rather than parasites, like lampreys, as has
been suggested.

It has been reported that similar occurrences have happened in the past, and that a
multitude of factors could cause the lesions in the fish, such as higher water temperature
and the recent high freshwater flows.

The problem may also be related to contaminated sediment in the lower reaches of the
Yarra River, so it would be a good reason to be extremely cautious in relocating this
sediment to other parts of the Bay.

VRFish encourages EPA and DPI to carry out a full investigation into the cause of this
problem.

If fishers come into contact with diseased fish, these should be retained, if possible, for
examination by EPA specialists. However, caution must be taken while handling the fish
to minimise health risks.

VRFish requests that recreational fishers report any “unhealthy” fish catches to EPA on
1800 444 044 or 9695 2777 or alternatively you can also contact DPI on 13 FISH (133
474).

Alison Gibson
VRFish Administration Officer
VRFish – Victoria’s Recreational Fishing Peak Body
Marine House, Ground Floor, 24 York Street South Melbourne Vic 3205
Telephone: 9686 7077 Facsimile: 9682 1066 Web: www.vrfish.com.au