Sweetwater Fishing Forums
General Category => News Views & Press Releases => Topic started by: Editor on July 18, 2011, 09:09:16 PM
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Don’t get caught red handed with redfin perch 30 Jun 2011 NSW Fisheries
Anglers are being reminded of their responsibilities to help stop the invasion of redfin perch, a significant pest fish in NSW.
Redfin perch (Perca fluviatilis) was listed as a Class 1 noxious fish in December 2010 because it poses a significant threat to native fish species.
NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) Aquatic Biosecurity Officer, Brigid Krug, said the six month advisory period for this new noxious listing in NSW legislation will end on June 30.
“From 1 July 2011, heavy penalties will be enforced for the possession or sale of live redfin perch a newly listed Class 1 noxious fish species in NSW,” Ms Krug said.
“The noxious listing aims to prevent the intentional translocation and stocking of this pest to help prevent further spread outside its known range.
“Redfin are a known carrier of the viral disease Epizootic Haematopoietic Necrosis (EHN), which can have detrimental impacts on native fish species.
“Redfin are capable of rapidly populating new waterways and in large numbers they can out-compete most native fish species.
“Redfin are also voracious predators and consume a wide variety of fish and invertebrates, including small native species and the eggs and fry of larger fish such as silver perch, golden perch, Murray cod and introduced trout.
“This predation may lead to reduced populations of these species and can degrade recreational fisheries for native species and introduced trout.”
Ms Krug said redfin is a popular recreational species targeted by some anglers, and the noxious listing of the species will not affect this.
“Anglers can still fish for redfin, and there is no bag limit for the species in NSW,” she said.
“However, anglers should be aware it is illegal to be in possession of a live redfin in NSW. If anglers are targeting redfin, the catch can only be stored dead, such as on ice in an esky.
“Redfin can not be kept live in a bucket, keeper net, live well or aquarium.
“NSW DPI does not currently prohibit anglers from returning live redfin to the water directly where they are caught, but we strongly urge anglers to utilise redfin as food or dispose of them humanely to reduce the potential impact from this species on native fish populations.”
Anglers are also reminded that it is still illegal to use live or dead redfin as bait in NSW.
The noxious listing of redfin applies across all of NSW and applies to both ornamental fish and recreational fishing sectors. The listing covers Lake Mulwala and the Murray River to the top of its southern bank where NSW fishing rules apply. The listing does not apply in Lake Hume where Victorian fishing rules apply.
Source: NSW Fisheries
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Dont you love it. Cant have em live, top class of pest fish in the state, but yeah, just slip it back in the water when your done with it, she'll be right!
:'(
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Doesn't make sense does it. I know as a kid I did everything in my power to rid the Hume Weir of redfin. Some things probably weren't real clever with hindsight.