Victorians will get a better insight into the health of the state’s waterways and native fish numbers following the launch of the Native Fish Report Card, funded by the Labor Government.
Minister for Water Lisa Neville and Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford released the Native Fish Report Card today which aims to keep communities updated about the state of native fish in Victorian rivers.
“We want more Victorians fishing more often, which is why we’re investing in the Native Fish Report Card to provide the community information on where to go fishing and what they can expect to catch,” Pulford said.
By monitoring fish populations in Victoria’s 10 priority rivers, the Native Fish Report Card will tell local anglers and conservationists about the health of key Victorian fish species.
The priority rivers are: Gellibrand River, Glenelg River, Goulburn River, Gunbower, Lindsay & Mullaroo, Mitchell River, Ovens River, Thomson & Macalister, Wimmera River and Yarra River.
Fishers, citizen scientists and community members can access information about recreational and threatened non-recreational fish species through a web-portal that will be updated with new fish population data every year.
Over the next three years this website will provide valuable information on the condition of native fish and is the first Victorian program to do so.
As data is strengthened throughout the years, we’ll be able to discover trends in fish populations.
Funding for this program comes from the government’s record $222 million investment into waterway and catchment health and recreational fishing licence fees.
The program is run by Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and the Victorian Fisheries Authority.
