This week another 150,000 barramundi fingerlings – which are about 60 days old – were successfully released into Lake Kununurra, with another 150,000 barra set to be released next week.
These two releases will raise the total number of barramundi released into Lake Kununurra over the past eight years to 1.3 million fish.
Lake Kununurra is an East Kimberley fishing gem and a quality sport fishery, providing fishers the chance to chase big barramundi.
WATCH: See how the experts fish for barra on Lake Kununurra
A safe location free of saltwater crocodiles and big tidal movements typical of Kimberley river systems, Lake Kununurra is home to many 1m-plus barra thanks to an ongoing stocking program.
The Lake Kununurra stocking program was initiated in 2013 using recreational fishing licence fees as part of the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund.
It is overseen by the Lake Kununurra Barramundi Stocking Group (LKBSG), Recfishwest, North Regional TAFE and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPRID).
“Lake Kununurra’s barramundi stocking program shows how true fish abundance not only promotes great fishing experiences, but also benefits regional WA communities,” Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said.
“Fish abundance ensures great fishing experiences can be enjoyed and stocking programs like this one can help create world-class fisheries in regional towns, such as Kununurra.
“Lake Kununurra is not only an asset to locals, but also attracts visitors to the East Kimberley who want to try their luck and chase a magic metre barra in a safe and accessible setting.”
All of the fish released as part of the program have been bred at North Regional TAFE’s aquaculture facility in Broome.
The TAFE’s aquaculture experts transport the fish across from Broome to Kununurra in special oxygenated transportation tanks.
The State Government has committed to fund the stocking program over the next three years through the COVID-19 recfishing recovery package, announced in 2020.
See how the barra are hatched and reared at North Regional TAFE before being released into this short YouTube video.
Thanks also to Fisheries WA for their support of the program and Daiwa Australia our Statewide stocking partners who make fish release activities like this possible.
