The Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD) has released 27,000 Golden Perch fingerlings into ACT waterways to boost native fish numbers.
The Directorate said the release followed the restocking of 40,000 Murray Cod into ACT waterways in December, bringing the total number of fish stocked this season to more than 67,000.
Minister for the Environment, Mick Gentleman said the fingerlings would provide local anglers with the opportunity to fish sustainably and enjoy Canberra’s urban lakes.
“The ACT Government’s annual fish stocking program is crucial to ensuring our lakes and ponds continue to have healthy populations of native fish,” Mr Gentleman said.
“Fish stocked into our urban lakes and ponds also help take pressure off our fragile natural river populations.”
He said the fingerlings had been released into Lake Tuggeranong, and Isabella and Upper Stranger ponds.
“It helps maintain a more natural ecosystem in our lakes and ponds by including native fish that usually need flowing water to reproduce,” Mr Gentleman said.
He said the fish release was part of a program of improvements for Lake Tuggeranong.
“We have brought forward funding to improve the lake, including constructing a major pollutant trap that will help clean inflows.”
“I’m committed to cleaning up the lake and making it a great destination for our community to relax, fish, row and exercise,” Mr Gentleman said.
