From the office of the environmental monitor

Tuesday 5 August, 2008

ANGLING FOR A BAY CATCH GOING STRONG

The number and size of fish caught by anglers in Port Phillip Bay remains at healthy levels, according to the latest dredging report.

From January to April 2008, information from more than 1000 boat fishing trips was recorded to provide valuable data on catch rates and fish populations.

Releasing results from the Baywide Recreational Fishing Surveys today, Environmental Monitor, Mick Bourke, said the results fed information into the four-year Baywide Fish Stock and Recruitment Monitoring Program.

“The survey results are consistent with data dating back to 2003 and indicate that recreational catches in the bay are similar to previous years,” Mr Bourke said.

“The surveys form part of one of five monitoring sub-programs, which all monitor the population health of key recreational fish species such as snapper, so that any changes can be detected.”

Mr Bourke said fish populations in the bay varied naturally and could be influenced by environmental conditions such as water quality, currents and habitat availability, all of which could be affected by dredging.

“The surveys use world leading techniques to determine anglers catch rates, and provides valuable information on Bay fish populations. Any changes to these indicators, beyond what is considered natural, will be detected by the program,” Mr Bourke said.

The program collects information on the Bay’s fish populations through on-site surveys of fish caught by recreational, boat-based anglers at 21 boat ramps across Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula, Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula.

Information is collected on fishing trips including the locations visited, fish species targeted, the amount of time spent fishing and the number and size of fish caught. The key recreational species investigated included snapper, King George whiting and flathead.

The program runs year round until the end of 2011. The next set of survey results are expected to be released in December 2008.

Dr Peter Appleford, Executive Director of Fisheries Victoria, said fish populations in the Bay
supported the largest single recreational fishery in Victoria and an important commercial fishery.

“The results indicate that the number and size of fish being caught for the amount of time spent fishing is within the expected range and is similar to data recorded since 2003,” Dr Peter Appleford said.

“Boat ramp surveys of fish caught and kept by anglers over a period of 60 days identified there were no significant changes to catch rates of key recreational fish such as snapper and flathead.”

Mr Bourke said that although the results were positive, the Office would continue to closely monitor the data from all five sub-programs to determine if there were any impacts to Bay fish populations.

King George whiting and flathead

For information on the Office of the Environmental Monitor, please visit www.oem.vic.gov.au