Barra battlers to restock Burdekin River in late 2020 as planned

The Charters Towers and Dalrymple Fish Stocking Group are committed to completing a $6000 release of barramundi fingerlings into the Burdekin River in late 2020.

Charters Towers and Dalrymple Fish Stocking Group PA Lauren Sosso said the group's final release of fingerlings will go ahead.

The Charters Towers and Dalrymple Fish Stocking Group said they have been unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic, despite their annual fundraiser being cancelled.

Late last month Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey clarified the state government’s ban on recreational boating and fishing.

“If you own a boat and want to head out in the water in your local community to fish for food this weekend, you can,” Mr Bailey said.

“If you need your boat to travel locally in your community, you can still do that.

“If you want to head out on your kayak or stand up paddle board for exercise, you still can.

“State Government boat ramps will remain open to boaties.

“We want people to continue living their lives as normally as possible under the current circumstances, but the advice of the Chief Health Officer needs to be followed.

“No one should be leaving their home unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

Lauren Sosso, PA of the CTDFSG, said they were not effected due to the fact they restock in controlled conditions.

“Two of the three proposed barramundi releases into the Burdekin River above the Weir wall have already been completed,” Ms Sosso said.

“Our first drop this year was conducted in late February with fish being released approximately 20 kilometres above the Weir park.

“The second drop was conducted on March 27 at the Weir park, 885 fish at 130mm in length were released.

Once the final drop is complete in either September or October, conditions permitting, the three drops for 2020 will have cost $6000.”

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Ms Sosso said the barra fingerlings, released by the group of 15 strong members excluding children, were sourced from Ron Shaw at Giru.

“The reason why we source our barramundi fingerlings from Ron is the fact they are compatible to our waterway,” she said.

Ms Sosso said it was unfortunate to declare the annual fishing comp, which acts as the group’s fundraiser, cancelled.

“Our group will be very quiet until this is over,” she said.

Originally published as Barra battlers to restock Burdekin River in late 2020 as planned