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Juvenile barramundi being released by members of the Ingham Rod & Reel Club at Gairloch Bridge. Photo credits: Victoria Velton
Thousands of juvenile barramundi have been released into the Herbert River as part of the Ingham Rod & Reel Club's ongoing fish restocking program, helping to support local fish stocks and the future of recreational fishing in the region.
Club President Paul Dametto said the club releases around 5,000 juvenile barramundi into local waterways each year as part of its commitment to maintaining healthy fish populations.
"As part of our restocking program we let approximately 5,000 juvenile barramundi back into the river every year, just hoping they'll help keep the stocks up," he said.
Approximately 2,000 barra were released during the latest stocking event, with around 4,000 released across two days. The fish are around four months old and measure approximately 120mm in length.
Mr Dametto explained that previous releases involved larger fish measuring between 250mm and 300mm, however the smaller fish are now being used to see if there are any survival differences in release sizes.
The young barramundi are released in freshwater sections of the river, giving them time to grow before naturally traveling downstream towards the ocean as they mature.
"Part of our permit requires us to release them in the river rather than straight into the channel," Mr Dametto said.
"It gives them a chance to grow out with fewer predators before eventually moving downstream and out to saltwater when they're older."
While larger barramundi remain a natural predator, invasive tilapia continue to present challenges in local waterways.
"Tilapia are a noxious fish and they're becoming more common in our waterways," Mr Dametto said.
The success of the restocking program is already being seen throughout the district, with previous year’s released tagged fish regularly reported by anglers as far upstream as Abergowrie.
Importantly, research conducted in partnership with James Cook University has also shown stocked barramundi are successfully breeding with wild fish populations, helping strengthen future stocks naturally.
The release program operates under permit conditions and is undertaken in consultation with relevant authorities, ensuring the fish are released responsibly and in suitable habitat.
For local anglers, the program represents a long-term investment in the health of the Herbert River and the future of one of North Queensland's most iconic sportfish.
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