Login
Register
Print Friendly
Impact of angling on the trout population in a small Victorian stream.
Department of Primary Industries, Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute, Private Bag 20 Alexandra, Victoria, Australia 3714.
Email: john.douglas@nre.vic.gov.au
Anglers have expressed concerns over the maintenance of catch rates over the trout angling open season in a small stream. They claim that the declining catch rate across the season is due to the impact of angling, and in particular high harvest. There are calls to limit the angling take from the stream by changing the current regulations to make it a catch and release water. Prior to any consideration of changing the current regulations fisheries managers had to first determine whether a problem existed. The current study investigated changes in the abundance and structure of the trout population, angler catch and harvest rates, and how anglers relate to the angling experience, over the open trout seasons for two consecutive years. Although there was variation between sites, there was no general trend in the trout populations that would indicate a decline in the populations over the two trout angling seasons. This was supported by creel survey findings that indicated a relatively small angler harvest. None of the interviewed anglers reported taking the allowable bag limit and many anglers claimed to fish for sport and practiced ‘catch and release’. Anglers appear to be self-regulating in this stream and the changes to the regulations do not appear necessary.
Room 1 Thursday 11.10 am
