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FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES
FISH FOR THE FUTURE BY BECOMING AN ANGLER DIARIST
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Researchers who monitor Victoria’s fisheries are looking for a good haul of dedicated
recreational fishers to target estuarine species in our bays and inlets and trout in the high
country.
Acting Executive Director Fisheries Victoria Anthony Hurst said there was a need for
experienced anglers who fish regularly (weekly to fortnightly) and have the commitment to
record their catches in a detailed way.
"We encourage them to become volunteer angler diarists,” Mr Hurst said.
"Angler diarists collect information about growth, spawning success, survival and catch trends,
which inform the sustainable management of fish stocks.
“Information about under-size fish has been particularly valuable in the past, especially for
snapper and bream fisheries.
“Now we are looking for anglers who fish for black bream and estuary perch in the Hopkins and
Glenelg rivers, mulloway in the Glenelg River, dusky flathead and estuary perch in Anderson
and Mallacoota inlets, flathead in Port Phillip Bay and brown and rainbow trout in the Kiewa and
Mitta Mitta rivers.
"Equipped with special diaries and rulers, anglers can use their fishing gear and local knowledge
to turn everyday fishing trips into valuable research expeditions.
"Diarists record what they catch, where they catch it and how long they fish for.
"It is an early indicator of years of strong and weak recruitment, which allows management
actions to be assessed well in advance.
"The Victorian angler diary program has been running for more than 15 years and the
information from anglers has been so useful to fisheries managers that the program is
expanding.”
Mr Hurst said scientists from the Fisheries Research Branch at Queenscliff are especially
interested in engaging with anglers.
"The diary anglers receive updates that keep them informed about how their records are
contributing to the overall monitoring of fish stocks and related projects and are part of a
valuable team that contributes significantly to improved fisheries management outcomes.”
People interested in becoming angler diarists, or wanting to know more about Fisheries
Victoria’s angler diary program, should contact Matt Ward on (03) 5258 0111 or
matt.ward@dpi.vic.gov.au
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