The Tasmanian Trout Fishery. II. The Fishery of the North-West Region

Abstract

A brief account is given of the several rivers, and of the results derived from the study of the fishery in each. Anglers' returns of catches have been analysed with respect to the daily catch per angler for nine seasons, and the lengths of fish for five seasons, and the results are similar for each river. Detailed consideration of a summary of the data received from all sources in this region shows a definite downward trend in the daily catch which is statistically significant and more pronounced in the estuarine than in the inland fishery. There has been no change in the mean lengths of fish taken, and the size distribution of the catch has remained constant over five seasons. An 80 per cent. annual mortality rate has been found for fish from 1 to 6 years of age, after which it falls slightly. The total annual catch has risen with the increase in licensed anglers. Analysis of the diary of one angler over 27 years shows a decline in the catching rate, but the mean weight of fish has remained fairly constant. No direct consistent correlation was found between the estuarine trout fishery and the commercial whitebait fishery. It is concluded that the decline in catching rate is probably related to a change in the representation of anglers making returns during the nine seasons. A study of the contribution made by the release of hatchery fish shows a maximum possible return to anglers of 2 per cent., subject to a correction for the proportion of takable fish caught by anglers for which no data are available. Evidence is produced to show that the release of hatchery fish is unproductive and wasteful in a stream already stocked to capacity.