Recreational fishers blind-sided by NSW Fisheries stocking ban

From Steve Samuels, Monaro Acclimatisation Society

In August last year I received advice from NSW Fisheries that a number of our traditional trout stocking sites would no longer be allowed to be stocked due to a decision by the NSW Fisheries Threatened Species Unit. This was a real shock to the Monaro Acclimatisation Spciety, as we had no inkling that any such move was afoot. We were allowed to make the 2023 – 24 stockings but about eight weeks ago the Secretary, Rod Whiteway, and I had a meeting with the NSW Fisheries, Recreational Fishing Unit, where the extent of the stocking bans for 2024-25 were explained to us.
There were two reasons given for the bans and they relate to separate threatened species. I will discuss each in turn.
In March 2023 the Commonwealth declared that a galaxias found across the Monaro had been declared a new threatened species. This new species, Galaxias Terenasus has been co-existing with trout since stocking began in the 1800s, and despite the research indicating that the species is increasing on the Monaro the limited research to establish a limited population was enough for the fish to be declared endangered.
As a result of this we are no longer allowed to stock a significant section of the middle Maclaughlin River, about half of the Cambalong Creek, a significant section of the Snowy River which includes the reach that runs through Dalgety township and most of the Delegate River which also includes the reach that runs through the Delegate township. There is no doubt there will be more of this to come.
The most disappointing thing about all of this is not so much the decision, but the clandestine way the process has unfolded. Throughout the Commonwealth’s listing process the MAS was unaware that it was occurring, and as it turns out neither was the Recreational Fishing Unit of NSW Fisheries. We know that the Threatened Species Unit had some prior knowledge as some of their research was used in the determination and that Unit knew of the listing when they objected to our 2023 stocking plan.
At first glance it appears to the Executive of the MAS that there is a significant level of dysfunction in NSW Fisheries where the Threatened Species Unit is not prepared to share information with the Recreational Fishing Unit and outside organisations such as the MAS. The NSW Fisheries Threatened Species Unit seems unconcerned about how their decisions affect recreational fishing. But in today’s world the public expects its public service to be open and transparent with decisions that affect the public, but it seems to be lacking in this case.
But it does not stop there. At the same meeting we were also informed that we would no longer be able to stock rainbow trout in the whole of Adjungbilly Creek near Tumut and the whole of the Murrumbidgee River upstream from the Numeralla River confluence to Tantangara Dam and beyond. The MAS stopped stocking brown trout in these sections in 2004 in line with the regulations to protect Macquarie perch, but the extension to now prohibit rainbows was again a complete surprise.
We have tried to elicit from NSW Fisheries what has changed to bring about this decision but all we have been told is that it is to do with Macquarie Perch. We have no other details, and it seems neither does the NSW Fisheries Recreational Fishing Unit. Again, this has been kept secret with little to no information provided from the NSW Fisheries Threatened Species Unit.
Secrecy and clandestine operations seem to be the latest trend of the NSW Fisheries Threatened Species Unit and obviously this is tolerated by the leadership group.
In an earlier example, the stocking of trout cod in the Goodradigbee River by the Threatened Species Unit was not disclosed and the MAS only found out when a trout cod was discovered by one of our members. If this had not happened the clandestine stocking could have continued for years and anglers jeopardized if they kept one for the table thinking it was a Murray cod.
To be quite honest, this closed-door policy towards the MAS, and the silo mentality within NSW Fisheries has played heavily on my mind. I have spent the last months trying to figure out why the MAS would be treated like this. I believe we have always tried to work with NSW Fisheries, and we have helped the Threatened Species Unit, especially on Macquarie perch, but it seems that the hatred for trout within that unit knows no bounds.
A word of advice here: “be careful what you wish for”. Across NSW when trout fisheries have disappeared the void has been filled by redfin perch. To say I feel betrayed is an understatement, and to say I am worried for the future is a fact.
I did not stand for the role of President of the MAS at the AGM in February. I have enjoyed my time as President, and I believe that the MAS has achieved some great wins during my time.