Short, sharp shock to keep track of lake stock

The Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries has spent a day conducting electrofishing surveys at two Durack Lakes (9 and 10).

There were a number of barramundi caught in both lakes the smallest being 52 cm and the largest 64 cm

The Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries has spent a day conducting electrofishing surveys at two Durack Lakes (9 and 10).

Electrofishing is a technique used by NT Fisheries to survey fish populations in freshwater rivers, creeks, billabongs, drains and other water bodies across the Top End.

Electrofishing allows researchers to collect, identify and measure fish with the least harm, all the fish caught were immediately released back into the lakes after being ­examined.

Electrofishing allows researchers to collect, identify and measure fish with the least harm.

Across both of the lakes nine species of fish were recorded (barramundi, barred grunter, mouth almighty, fly-specked hardyhead, chequered rainbowfish, spangled grunter, northwest glassfish and swamp eel). The most prevalent were fly-specked hardyheads and chequered rainbowfish which would provide a good food source for the predators such as the spangled and barred grunters and barramundi.

One interesting find was a couple of swamp eels.

There were a number of barramundi caught in both lakes, the smallest being 52cm and the largest 64cm. The barramundi were most probably fish that were stocked by Charles Darwin University in June 2012 as 15cm fingerlings.

The best result of the day was that there were no exotic fish species recorded.

You can help protect our unique environment by securing outdoor ponds and tanks to prevent any aquatic life escaping and by not dumping unwanted fish in any waterway.

Either dispose of the fish humanely or check if a local pet shop will take them.