Trevally trials at Bribie Island: angling for fishing tourism boost
Bribie Island Research Centre will play a vital role in breeding one of the world’s most popular sporting fish, trevally, in an effort to lure anglers to Queensland’s vibrant fishing scene.
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A research station north of Brisbane will play a key role in hooking in recreational fishers by breeding trevally, a popular fish for sporting anglers.
In a groundbreaking initiative set to transform recreational fishing across the state, the Bribie Island Research Centre will play a pivotal role in a four-year project aimed at breeding and stocking giant trevally and bigeye trevally.
The $1.14 million project, led by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, aims to boost tourism to and attract anglers from across the globe by stocking selected dams and lakes, depending on the outcome of the trial.
Department researchers will collect broodstock from the wild and breed the fish at the Bribie Island Research Centre.
Once the fingerlings are ready, they will be released into Kinchant Dam, located southwest of Mackay.
A small number of subadult and young adult trevally will also be introduced into a central Queensland dam to track their movements.
DAF principal fisheries biologist Michael Hutchison said along with a boost to tourism, the program would also improve fishing opportunities for locals and provide unique fishing experiences.
“If the trial is a success, these fish will be added to the permitted species list for stocking into suitable impoundments in central and northern Queensland,” Mr Hutchison said.
DAF studies showed recreational fishing contributed $333 million annually to the state’s economy with the most valuable impoundments, lakes and dams, generating over $10 million a year, highlighting the potential for species like trevally to significantly enhance these figures.
The initiative, a joint effort with DAF, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Mackay Regional Council, and Daiwa Australia, also seeks to involve private hatcheries.
Hatcheries will be trained to produce trevally, and supply stocking groups with fingerlings, which is expected to boost the local fishing industry and create jobs.
The trial was started after a recent department survey found trevally fishing was highly popular among recreational anglers and was one of the top three species Queensland stocking groups wanted added to the permitted list for releases into lakes and dams.
Fishing trevally is a popular sport as the fish species is known for its speed, power, and size, making it one of the world’s greatest sportfish.
FRDC managing director Dr Patrick Hone said the research project offered anglers a unique opportunity.
“This research offers an exciting chance to diversify the fish species anglers can target in Queensland’s impoundments using a scientific and evidence-based approach,” Dr Hone said.
“Fishing for bigeye and giant trevally in impoundments will be a unique angling experience.”
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Originally published as Trevally trials at Bribie Island: angling for fishing tourism boost
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