Barramimdi Tagging Programme

Abstract

Fisheries scientists at the Department of Agriculture, Stock and Fisheries are concerned at rumours in the fishing industry that barramundi are being ”fished out". Some fishermen have claimed that their catch rates are declining around Daru where fishing pressure is heavy. Barramundi have been taken in fewer numbers in Lake /Murray during recent years, and this has also caused some anxiety in the industry. These fears may be groundless, according to a visiting specialist from the World Bank, Mr C. Beever, who visited the area during June, 1968. In fact, it may well be that the barramundi stocks could stand a much greater fishing pressure. In March, 1970 the Department began an intensive study of the barramundi and the barramundi fishing industry. The biology, life history and population dynamics of this fish will be studied to enable the Department to recommend a management programme for this important industry.