VICTORIAN populations of freshwater catfish are continuing on their road to recovery with more than 25,000 of the native species to be relocated to new homes in the region.
Victorian Fisheries Authority chief executive Travis Dowling said the catfish have been moved from a large private dam near Lancefield and lakes at Hopetoun and Woomelang, to 10 waterways and the VFA’s Arcadia native fish hatchery.
“This effort follows three relocations of catfish in 2023 and 2024 from the Glenelg River in south-west Victoria to restore four new catfish populations in northern Victoria within the species’ natural range,” Mr Dowling said.
“We were then made aware of other populations of catfish that may be suitable for relocation, so our fisheries managers undertook assessments including genetic testing and found these fish would be well suited to a change of scenery.”
Fish from Woomelang and Lancefield ranged in size from three centimetres to 45cm.
The catfish were moved to various waterways in the state, including 181 at Phyland Lagoon at Gunbower.
Last week, an additional 23,000 fish were salvaged from Lake Lascelles at Hopetoun and have been taken to the Arcadia hatchery near Shepparton for genetic testing.
The majority will be released into suitable waters in coming weeks with around 75 mature fish being retained at the facility for future breeding.
“Relocations like these can help fast-track the recovery of wild populations which means creating more recreational fishing opportunities in years to come,” Mr Dowling said.
“We’ll explore opportunities to produce catfish in years to come at our Arcadia hatchery, which is being tripled in size thanks to a $15 million Victorian Government investment.”
Freshwater catfish can only be taken by anglers from waters of the Wimmera Basin with a minimum size of 30cm and a bag limit of two.
The project is a collaboration between North Central Catchment Management Authority, Mallee CMA, Goulburn Broken CMA and North East CMA, Ecology Australia, traditional owner groups, recreational fishers and the VFA.
