Rocking fish stocking – new Fisheries Minister gets hands-on for latest metro kingfish release

New Fisheries Minister Don Punch rolled up his sleeves this morning to help Recfishwest release another 5,000 juvenile kingies into metro waters as part of the exciting ongoing metro yellowtail kingfish stocking program.

WATCH: See all of the action from today’s release on our YouTube!

A three-year commitment to stocking kingfish, pink snapper and barramundi is all part of the WA Government’s COVID-19 fishing package announced by Premier Mark McGowan in August — and Recfishwest is proud to drive new initiatives like this that can potentially open up more diverse fishing opportunities for metro fishers.

With international travel restrictions in place for the foreseeable future and the challenges of a COVID world, Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said fishing was more important than ever for people’s relaxation and well-being and support for local economies.

Fisheries Minister Don Punch and Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland with some of the 5,000 kingies released. Picture: Recfishwest

Backing it in with the Send Us Your Skeletons monitoring program 

“I went targeting kingies last weekend near Rotto and managed to find a few,” Dr Rowland said.

“Although the fish were more on the ‘rat’ end of the spectrum and went back, it was great fun fishing and I’m really looking forward to seeing how this stocking program impacts on the metro kingie fishery in the next couple of years.

“Just like the snapper stocking program, all the juvenile kingfish reared for these releases by the DPIRD aquaculture team have their otoliths (ear bones) stained allowing fish from the stocking program to be identified when caught and analysed in the future.

“This is new territory here in WA, which is what makes it so exciting, and there is an important role here for fishers to assist in providing samples to support the science.”

Check out a couple of happy snaps from today’s release 📸

The fish released today should reach legal size round late-2022, Dr Rowland said.

“So, if you are keeping metro kingies for the table in the coming years please consider donating the filleted frames to the terrific Send Us Your Skeletons program run by DPIRD and help build a better understanding of the success of these stock enhancement activities,” he said.

“In the meantime, we’ll keep cranking the handle to get more fish in the water and help protect and enhance your fishing future.”

Yellowtail kingfish, like this one Matt Pullella did battle with, make for formidable opponents. Picture: Brody Ogle

Continue Reading

December 01, 2023

Cockburn Sound seagrass growth success overshadowed by Westport dredging prospect

Seeds for Snapper volunteers are successfully seeding critical seagrass meadows in Cockburn Sound having dispersed seeds across the equivalent area of 12 Optus footy fields since it was launched five years ago…

Read More

November 29, 2023

Westport announcement – questions on potential “catastrophic impacts” on Cockburn Sound remain unanswered

Recfishwest continues to have serious concerns about the future of the environment, fish stocks and fishing in Cockburn Sound following the Government’s latest announcement on the final location and design for its…

Read More

November 29, 2023

Spotlight on Westport – far from sound planning in Cockburn Sound

Following the State Government’s announcement on the design and location for its Westport container port planned to be built in Kwinana in 2032, Recfishwest Operations Manager Leyland Campbell takes a closer look…

Read More

November 28, 2023

Metro cray fishers share concerns over Marmion Marine Park planning

Excitement is building for the annual whites run and the prospect of catching a cray for Christmas. Word is it’s imminent with a few soft-shelled crays already being taken off nearshore reefs by divers – so get…

Read More

November 17, 2023

Recfishwest’s Community Grant recipients for 2024 and their big plans for improving fishing across WA!

Whether it be fishing clubs or local businesses – community groups can easily tick off all their goals when they are backed in with adequate support and resources.    That is why over the last 12 years Recfishwest…

Read More

November 16, 2023

Join our cast of thousands and stand up for fishing in the challenges that lie ahead

Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland takes a look back at a year of intensive activity by the peak recfishing sector body and how we can meet the challenges ahead for fishing and reap the opportunities. “It’s…

Read More