Mount Isa Regional Dams (Lake Moondarra, East Leichhardt Dam and Lake Julius)

Transcription

1 For further information please contact: Mr Malcolm Pearce Senior Fisheries Biologist - Ph. (07) MANAGEMENT AND STOCKING PLAN FOR Mount Isa Regional Dams (Lake Moondarra, East Leichhardt Dam and Lake Julius) Prepared by the Mt Isa Fish Stocking Group Inc. and DPI Fisheries Mt Isa Fish Stocking Group Inc. PO Box 2280 Mt Isa Qld 4825 President: George Fortune Ph: (07) Vice-President: Russell Corrigan Ph: Secretary: Helen Burns Ph: (07) Treasurer: Brigitte Sharp Ph: (07) \Groups\Mt Isa\Management Plan Mt Isa.Doc

2 MANAGEMENT GROUP OBJECTIVES To create, maintain and monitor a sustainable diversified multispecies recreational fishery in the impoundments and streams of the Mount Isa district in co-operation with all other users of these resources. To enhance the recreational fisheries contributing to the economic and tourism opportunities of the Mount Isa district. To continue to develop our breeding program to maximise fingerling production. To foster good-will, fellowship and understanding amongst members, and to meet regularly and socially in convivial surroundings. These objectives would be achieved by: stocking the waterways with fish suitable for the area, maintaining fish habitat, promoting all aspects of fishing and fish stocking, assisting others in educating the community to enjoy the total fishery wisely, promote Mt Isa as a family recreation area, to promote responsible recreational fishing and wise use of the resources and to educate others to adopt the same attitude. SECTION 1 MANAGEMENT GROUP GOALS 1.(1) STOCKING and FUNDING (a) Stocking The objective is to have enough numbers of angling species in the dam to enable the average angler to catch 1 fish per hour. In impoundments, the pointers are that this will require a stock size of fish of each angling species to the surface hectare. Species: Sooty Grunter, Barramundi and Northern Saratoga Sooty grunter (Hephaestus fuliginosus) Lake Moondarra (2 375 FSL) Stocking size: 100/ha = fingerlings/year for 5 years = fingerlings East Leichhardt Dam FSL) Stocking size: 100/ha = fingerlings/year for 5 years = fingerlings Fingerling source for all sooty grunter stockings The aim of the stocking group is to produce the sooty grunter fingerlings in the groups own hatchery. Broodstock for the hatchery will be obtained from the reproducing population in the Leichhardt River catchment. Until this hatchery is fully operational, fingerlings will be sourced from other hatcheries. 22/05/11 1

3 Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) Lake Moondarra (2 375 FSL) Stock size: 100/ha = fingerlings/year for 5 years = fingerlings Lake Julius (1 415 FSL) Stocking size: 100/ha = fingerlings/year for 5 years = East Leichhardt Dam FSL) Stocking size: 100/ha = fingerlings/year for 5 years = fingerlings Fingerling source for all barramundi stockings Barramundi fingerlings will be sourced from the Gulf Barramundi Restocking Association s (GBRA) ponds at Karumba. (b) Funding Fishing competitions: Catering at other social events: Membership fees: Raffles: Local / shire council: Local business and social clubs Donations / Sponsorship: Merchandise sales: Government grants: 1.(2) MONITORING Monitoring is an essential part of the stocking program and one of the performance indicators upon which funding for this program depends. (a) Fish tagging Co-ordinator: Merv Whitney. Ph: (07) Goals: Collect information on growth rates and movements Incentives: ANSA certificates and prizes (b) Fishing competition data Co-ordinator: George Fortune. Ph: (07) Goals: Lake Moondarra Fishing classic Incentives: Many prize categories (c) Membership social competitions Co-ordinator: Russell Corrigan. Ph: (07) Goals: Catch per unit effort data with seasonal changes. 22/05/11 2

4 Incentives: Prize categories and fellowship (d) Breeding Program Co-ordinator: George Fortune. Ph: (07) All local fingerlings produced to be counted at hatchery or at dam prior to release. All fish stocked will be counted, inspected for health and contamination. (e) Stocking performance In conjunction with the DPI and Fisheries, monitor the performance of the stockings through electrofishing, gill-net and trap surveys. 1.(3) OTHER ACTIVITIES (a) Camping and picnicking facilities The association is involved in developing picnic and camping facilities, erecting cleaning tables, marking reserves etc, particular at East Leichhardt Dam. (b) Annual report and stocking figures Copies of the Annual Report, stocking numbers and changes to Association s executive to be submitted to DPI Fisheries (Brisbane) on an annual basis to ensure database is kept up to date. (c) Representation The Stocking Group agrees to represent recreational freshwater fishing interests in the Mount Isa district and is committed to send delegates to the annual workshop. (d) Catchment area management We will provide assistance to Landcare and Greening Australia groups in the Mt Isa Region. We will also be involved with the activities of the southern Gulf Catchments Inc. (e) Fish Hatchery Develop and maintain a fish hatchery in the district, and assist other stocking groups in applying our successful fingerling production methods. Develop a multipurpose hatchery/growout facility; assist in establishing a botanic garden of Gulf riverine species, incorporating functions such as environmental education and tourism. (f) Fish Rescues Perform fish rescues when needed upstream of Lake Julius to the base of East Leichhardt Dam and Lake Moondarra. An annual report on this activity will be provided to the DPI Fisheries. (g) Fishways Draw attention to the need to improve dam spillways and road crossings. Facilitating a more robust self-sustaining fishery. (h) Fish habitat Monitor the state of the aquatic environment in the area and do our utmost to prevent any damage to fish habitats. 22/05/11 3

5 (i) Public Education Act as a reference body providing advice and information to the community on recreational fishing. Through public displays, contact phone numbers, meetings and distribution of QFS literature and our own brochure on recreational fishing in the district. (j) Enforcement The group agrees it has a role in liaising with the Boating and Fishery Patrol officers within the DPI Fisheries to assist with community awareness and enforcement of relevant regulations. 22/05/11 4

6 SECTION 2 DPI FISHERIES GROUP SUPPORT This section details management group expectations of areas of DPI Fisheries Group involvement and support. (a) POST STOCKING SURVEYS DPI Fisheries to conduct post stocking surveys and provide a review of progress as necessary. (b) STOCKING PROGRAM WORKSHOPS DPI Fisheries to continue to support stocking program workshops on an annual basis by sending delegates. (c) MANAGEMENT ADVICE DPI Fisheries to provide management advice based on best available data on a as required basis. 22/05/11 5

7 SECTION 3 STOCKING PLAN Mount Isa/Cloncurry Region Dams (Mount Isa Fish Stocking Group Inc.) PREAMBLE The purpose of this plan is to set maximum permissible stocking rates for local waters. Results of creel surveys at other stocked impoundments indicate optimum levels to be around 500 fingerlings per hectare and maintenance levels between 100 to 200 fingerlings per hectare per year. In the absence of more specific data, and to keep this plan simple, the 200 fingerlings per hectare per year level is used to calculate recommended maximum stocking levels for these waters. (1) Surface area to be stocked Lake Moondarra ha Lake Julius ha Lake Mary Kathleen (East Leichhardt Dam) ha Total ha (2) Fingerling numbers At a recommended stocking level of 200 fingerlings per hectare per annum, the maximum permissible stocking level is fingerlings per year of all species for Lake Moondarra, fingerlings per year of all species for Lake Julius, and fingerlings per year of all species for Lake Mary Kathleen. (3) Species composition As an approximate guide only, it is agreed that the group stock at a ratio of 1:1 barramundi to sooty grunter. These ratios can be readjusted as the returns from these stockings become clearer. (2) Permit to stock A permit is required to stock. Applications should be made through the DPI Fisheries. It is recommended that your group apply for a 5 year permit based on the maximum permissible number of fingerlings over the next 5 years (2007/08 to 2011/12 seasons inclusive) (see below tables 1-3). Table 1. Five year stocking schedule for Lake Moondarra Species 2007/ / / / /12 Barramundi Sooty grunter Total Table 2. Five year stocking schedule for Lake Julius 22/05/11 6

8 Species 2007/ / / / /12 Barramundi Total Table 3. Five year stocking schedule for East Leichhardt Dam Species 2007/ / / / /12 Barramundi Sooty grunter Total Signed Stocking Association Representative / /07 Signed DPI Fisheries Representative / /07 Signed Regional Manager (Fisheries) North / /07 22/05/11 7