Is this the height of government madness

Besides the facr that they're a better eating fish, why should trout be treated any differently to carp in our river systems. They're both introduced species that compete with native species for the same food resources.

As for the sentimental father/son bit, catch a yellow belly instead.

Kim,

I'd like to see them try and rid the river systems of Trout as they have done a pretty bleep house effort eradicating the Carp.

Cheers Kev

Hello, Sounds like a good idea to me, though at this stage its just an investigation - may prove to be impossible/impractical to achieve for several reasons. We will have to wait and see.

Cheers
Greg

It is obvious that there are still complete cretins working in places of power

G'day Kim,

NSW has historically stocked brown and rainbow trout into many of the colder mountain streams and, in doing so, has created a very strong fishing industry in these areas - the Snowy Mountains fishing industry is worth lots of $$$ each season.

In many cases (read streams) in NSW and I suspect Vic too, the only way that there are trout in them is that they get stocked by the government or fishing clubs each year. I know in my part of NSW (New England North West area), if DPI stopped stocking the streams, in a few years all the trout would be gone.

If a government agency today (in any state of Aust) decided that they wanted to stock an "alien" species into the waterways, there would be all hell to pay - apart from the costs of the EIS and the consultation etc and after all of that expenditure the answer would be a resounding NO WAY. The trout (and for that matter all the other ferals) were released in a time when no one thought of the impact on native species and it's only in relatively recent times that those impacts are being proved with the science to back up the conjecture.

In hindsight, the trout and all the other "alien" species we have released into this country (rabbits, foxes, deer, pigs, camels etc)should not have been released, but then again hindsight is always 20/20 is it not.

The RSPCA in SA a few years ago tried unsuccessfully to have fish hooks banned because of the cruelty to fish.

Seems we are going to have to work harder to keep the things we hold dear.

well well how the worm turns lol Fly fishermen were the main proponent in the banning of recreational dredging in Vic. over 30 yrs ago -- i suppose they will want support from the P.M.A.V. and B.U.G. in their fight ?? and N.S.W. is having a look at restricting fossiking for gold and gem stones so much it wont be worth while to scratch a bit of dirt . So it looks like to hit a jackpot will have to be done at a licensed gambling depot. Bah! humbug!!!

I fully suport the eradication of trout in victoria
theres BA in western australia except a couple in the Sw so if we dont have em neither should you.


Seriosly I always thought it was bizare you should need a freshwater liscense to catch what is after all an introduced fish?!?

Kim, I can't ever see that happening, with all the $$$$ involved in the industry. Probably just another new poli on the scene flapping her gums wanting to create controversy. Wouldn't you think that the brains trust of this country could better put a concerted effort in to get water back into the Murray/Darling system. Wouldn't that enhance the survival of our native species, not to mention the agricultural benifits.

Buggar me dead. I knew there was a reason why I pack up Damn Dog, put the fishing rod and rifle into the car and go bush.

Tassie, look out....I'm coming back, where a man can roam free without all this nonsense.

I'd defy anyone of you to stand in a 12ft dingy and not get hysterical after catching a 10 pound trout in a beautiful lake or river at dawn.

Regards

Kim

Surely there is a fish species native to Vic that could take the place of trout? Restock the rivers with local fish and catch them.

As for the line 'the height of government madness' it's being a little dramatic. Governments do some pretty stupid and dishonest things sometimes. Wanting to have a state's river systems stocked with native fish doesn't seem like one of them to me.

Barnesy

wonder why they haven't banned cats and honey bees?

Just goes to show how clever some of these (P/S) Dept. Heads can be. She has succeeded in getting your attention and stirring up your anger and frustration on the subject. Obviously you are not a wake up to such tricks. The real agenda for the head of the Murray Darling Commission should be in seeking Govt support and finance with a view to restoring the environmental flow to the Murray and other dying river systems. Just like a smart a...e politicain she has managed to divert yours and others attention. Don't fall for it. There's no way she or anyone would succeed in removing trout from our river systems. just a 'pipe dream'.

Great idea eradicating these introduced species, the amount of damage they do.
Do these people have dreams at night then open their mouths without giving much thought in the morning. With one great idea like this one the fishing industry and all the associated workers not to mention how much the trout farming and international fishing/tourism helps our economy we can set our country back in one great swoop.
Based on this persons thinking I guess sooner or later I will also be eradicated as my parents migrated here some 50 years ago and I fall under the "Introduced species" there is one hope however this so called "Sheila" will also be eradicated if she is an introduced species.
What's happening to this magnificent and welcoming country.

Hi, think you are missing the point. The intention of the "study next month into the impact of reducing numbers of trout, redfin, carp and oriental weatherloach in Victorian waters” is all about reducing our impact on the Australian natural environment, its not about forcing us to stop living and enjoying life. (NOTE:“trout" are only one of the species being investigated).

The decision to carry out such a study is unlikely to have been made by one "sheila" (correct me if I’m wrong). People are working on the more serious issues, this is just a discussion on one aspect of the Govt's (and other peoples) work.

Cheers
Greg

I agree it is crazy. Its the straightening the deck chairs on the titanic approach. I think we should get rid of every single introduced species in the whole of Australia, however if your going to start that process why start with trout. Trout dont cause anywhere the damage that other species do. EG cats in my area have nearly pushed and are continuing to push the lyrebird to extinction, so it would be much easier, more effective and have massive impact to ban cats and shoot the lot of em with the 4 mil. If they got rid of every other species and trout was the last foriegner left, I would say throw the money at it today, but with more massive problems looming its completly moronic.

e fin greenies

but i dont think it will happen....they will be shuting down a recreational activity and industry worth many miilions to the state...and besides we buy eggs from your hatcheries for hatching and stocking here in SA and what will i be able to go flyfishing for if it does happen...dont like carp ....


e fin greenies make me wild...yes they are introduced but they are a desirable species.....they are a good indictor of water quality. when did you last hear of a trout in the dirty waters of the murray

I think your fly fishing clubs, and including all fishing clubs will never let it happen ...not with out a big fight anyway...the worst that may happen i reckon is that some rivers may be prevented from being stocked while others will continue to be so...this will be a win win for all concerned

Let me preface this post with the fact that I fly fish for trout.

Having spent endless hours trapsing about the bush up little creeks and rivers chasing the buggers, much typical trout habitat is NOT one shared by natives like Macquarie Perch, Trout Cod, Murray Cod, Silver Perch, Golden Perch, Bass etc. There are plenty of areas of overlap, but attempting to eradicate trout from the upper reaches of feeder creeks and rivers etc would merely result in communities deprived of income from a lucrative recreational industry.

The *only* reason I've visited places like Camperdown, Noojee, Buxton, Harrietville and numerous other small towns across the state is in pursuit of trout. Few rivers in such locations would ever support native fish that are suitable for sport fishing. Other places like Warburton and Marysville see about 50% of my visits because of trout fly fishing. Ripping the trout out of the upper Ovens won't see Harrietville become a yellowbelly or cod destination - the "river" is too bloody small to support these fish! The town would become a forgotten backwater.

Each visit to one of these towns sees purchases like petrol, snacks, lunches, sometimes overnight accommodation - all money flowing directly into the pockets of local business owners or employees.

There's far greater threats to the Murray Darling than trout - carp is an obvious target for eradication - it directly displaces "desirable" native species like cod and perch, contributes to water degredation, and I don't know of anyone who drops a couple of hundred bucks a weekend into local communities to go carp fishing. Sure trout have had a major negative impact on smaller species like galaxids, but you will never be able to eradicate them. Why concentrate efforts on destroying them when they can be managed as a sustainable resource (albiet not native), that brings positive benefits to bush communities, as well as direct improvements to water resources, such as providing motivation for willow removal which improves water quality and flows.

Focus on some bigger environmental issues like getting some bloody water for the river gums before they're all gone.

Ah Kim,

I think this "sheila" is an import from Tassie, tasked with the eradication of Trout in Victorian rivers and dams so the fishermen need to travel to Tassie to catch them.

Try telling the Taswegians to get rid of the Trout, because they are an introduced species. Ha!

Now carp are an entirely different thing. How anyone can "promote" this noxious pest as a tourist attraction beats me.
The last time I stayed in Mildura amased me.
We went for a drive and crossed the bridge into New South Wales. (Buronga?). There was a floating restaurant adjacent to the bridge where, for a buck or so, you could buy a loaf of old bread to feed the fishies. These slimy back, scaly, disgusting looking fish were so enormous and abundant that they were crawling over each other to get to the bread.
I wished I had a stick of gelly or two with me to eradicate as many of the mongrels as possible. Bugger the tourism.

Now I'm no environmentalist and have no direct knowledge of the Trout's impact on the local fish population.
But I'm bloody sure it could not even come close to the absolute destruction to the River Murray River system environment that the Carp has caused. Not only has it "dirtied" the water, but has caused a marked reduction in native species such as the Murray Cod and Silver Perch to the extent that they are now a protected species. (at least in S.A. they are)

It is illegal in S.A. to return a live Carp to the water and this law should be extended to the whole of Australia IMO.

Now, back to the Trout for a moment.
I had no Idea how many ways you can eat the flesh until my last trip to Tassie.
They are delicious raw.
They can be smoked, fried, grilled or baked and in any form are great eating. (Actually, I haven't tried them baked so I tell a fib there)
They are a thrill to stalk and catch, especially on fly gear.

And Victoria's "Powers that Be" want to eradicate them?
Tell them they are dreaming and would be committing suicide to the tourist trade.