Fish stock trial plan a threat
The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is proposing a marine fish stocking trial program in Victorian waters in an effort to boost recreational fisheries. Species being considered for the trial include Eastern King Prawns and Mulloway.
Introducing artificially reared fish into a wild marine system carries significant risks, including:
- Introducing new diseases and pests.
- Damaging the genetics of wild fish populations.
- Causing an imbalance in the marine food chain.
- Creating increased competition between marine species.
- Increasing fishing pressures in waters that have been stocked.
- Potentially harming existing fisheries.
- Disturbing habitats.
Introduced species can move easily along Victoria's coastline and have a widespread impact - as shown three years ago by the rapid invasion rate of the abalone virus Ganglioneuritis.
The VNPA believes that when there is concern over the status of a fishery, the first step must be to identify the nature of the problem. Only then can the most appropriate management options be selected.
Without proper scientific research, evaluation and planning, a marine stocking program would be expensive, contribute little to recreational fishing, and may have very serious consequences for our marine environment.
The government's Victorian Coastal Strategy is underpinned by a commitment to ecologically sustainable development and the precautionary principle.
Introducing cultured fish into the marine environment without detailed scientific investigation clearly falls short of this commitment.
Fisheries Victoria has not demonstrated that the serious risks associated with fish stocking have been adequately addressed, or that the benefits to all Victorians outweigh the significant risks of stocking Victorian marine waters for the first time.
If fish stocks are diminishing, the government should address the causes, such as estuary openings, rather than dumping fish into marine waters. Artificially reared fish should not be used as an alternative to protecting and/or restoring habitat or regulating harvest.
The VNPA believes all management of marine fish stocks must be underpinned by the precautionary principle.
We support the efforts of VRFish and recreational fishers to implement effective and sustainable fisheries management tools, but do not support any stocking of fish into the marine environment unless those species are translocated from within the local environment.
The VNPA is grateful for the support of the Reichstein Foundation in funding our marine conservation work.
For more information on this issue please contact the VNPA's Conservation Officer, Simon Branigan, on 03 9347 5188 or email simonb@vnpa.org.au.