Here’s some news we just reeled in that will make a splash among the fishermen and women of South Western Sydney: 30,000 mulloway fingerlings were released into the Georges River today.
In the past five years, more than 180,000 mulloway have been released into the river that starts near Wedderburn and runs along most of Campbelltown and Liverpool, all the way to Botany Bay.
The release was part of the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s marine stocking program.
Under the program, saltwater sportfish including mulloway and dusky flathead are stocked at popular fishing estuaries along the coast, including the Hastings River near Port Macquarie, Lake Macquarie north of Sydney, the Georges River, and St Georges Basin, Lake Conjola and Burrill Lake on the south coast.
Bred by department staff at the NSW Government’s Port Stephens Fisheries Institute marine hatchery, these juvenile mulloway measure up to 60mm on release and are expected to grow very quickly, reaching legal size of 70cm in just a few years.
An important commercial, cultural and recreational fishing species, mulloway are widely recognised as being an iconic sport and table species.
The NSW Government’s marine stocking program is supported by the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust.
“It’s no secret that the Georges River has some of the best estuary fishing in the Sydney basin – and now local fishers and visitors will have an even better chance of catching a prized mulloway at one of their favourite fishing spots,’’ says Kylie Wilkinson, State MP for East Hills.
“As well as providing a massive boost to future fishing opportunities, fish stocking events like this support the sustainability of our waterways and provide economic benefits to our community.
“I encourage everyone – whatever your gender, age or ability – to come and visit the many beautiful fishing spots we have to offer along the Georges River.”
