Fifty thousand reasons for research

Stocking groups have recently been advised of a funding opportunity for the use of an electro-fishing boat on storages to stun fish for research into how fish species are doing in waterways in southern Queensland.

A similar testing project was carried out on Glenlyon Dam back in 2002 using that type of boat.

The result was not good – in large water bodies the boat was ineffective, particularly when compared to using it in small tight water sections of the storage.

This type of research will no doubt provide some information in the short term, however it is the overall picture that is required when it comes to end results.

The Crystal Bowl Dumaresq River summary dashboard. Supplied: Infofish Australia

Glenlyon has been very fortunate in having some anglers involved in fish tagging while fishing the storage.

As part of this, we have recently received a report called ‘Crystal Bowl’ – a product of Infofish Australia, supported by Suntag and the Freshwater Fishing and Stocking Association of Queensland.

The research covers both Murray cod and golden perch from 2013 to 2022.

This 11-page report is full of information in regards to the socalled ‘hot spots’ on Glenlyon Dam.

In conjunction with the above, we also have a report on the research project that was carried out on the Dumaresq River from 2008 to 2012, for which a Landcare Award was won by the stocking groups of Glenlyon storage.

Further reading on the river project can be obtained from dpi.nsw.gov.au

Fishos having a great fishing trip.

Titled ‘Fisheries Final Report Series No. 161 Building a stronger, more resilient and sustainable Murray cod fishery’, it’s a 124-page document.

As well, the 10-page research article, ‘Combining bio-telemetry and underwater imagery to elucidate the reproductive behaviour of a large, long-lived Australian freshwater teleost’, published in the Journal of Environmental Management – which lists the important doctors, biologists and managers, plus results – that, in combination with recreational anglers’ feedback, bought to light the major result on our icon, the Murray cod.

Load up your printer, this is all good reading – giving you an insight into Murray cod.

The Crystal Bowl Lake Glenlyon summary dashboard. Supplied: Infofish Australia

You’re thinking, ‘Yeah, so what’s his agenda?’

Well, it goes like this… we need anglers who fish other storages and rivers.

We need you to look at tagging fish in your favourite river, dam or stream.

To achieve this, find a fishing club stocking group or join Australian National Sportfishing Association Queensland via the stocking group, then get the group to approach Fisheries Queensland to purchase the tags and tag guns.

Greg Daniel was stoked with his 1m cod.

We have $50,000 on offer from FQ, so let’s get some of it working.

To achieve the above and the results, it would no doubt be better if you could contact FFSAQ, Sunfish or Infofish for the information required – keeping in mind it’s not a matter of putting a tag into anything that moves in the water.

You will need to think about how much time you spend fishing and a set 12-month format, so your results are easy to write up. With all projects, you are expected to contribute in some way and your share could be in kind – by the hours you fish and the costs incurred to do so.

A one-off quick shot on a storage is a good start, but to have on-going results coming in on a monthly report is a better outcome.

Education is needed so that anglers who catch a tagged fish, take down only the tag number and phone number to register the catch.

Kyle Millard and one of the two cod he caught – 111cm and 92cm.

It would be a good result if that tagged fish was to be returned to the water, which in turn will give on-going information on growth rate and location each time it’s caught.

Leave the tag in!

Okay, that’s a thought-starter for those who read this.

If we were to have $50,000 set aside for this each year and all those dedicated anglers doing their part, results could be used to improve our freshwater fishing experience yearly and for future recreational fishos.