Cattle and sheep restocking efforts have hit the headlines in recent months but just as much effort is going into boosting numbers of fish stock in our waters.
As drought conditions ease, the Dutton Trout Hatchery near Ebor, is playing a major role in the state's trout re-stocking program producing 1.9 million rainbow and brown trout.
This week 500 tagged fish up to 30cm long will be released into Lake Oberon while fry (3cm) and fingerlings (12cm) will be respectively released in August and November all over the New England region's waterways and into lakes around Lithgow and Bathurst.
Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall, who visited the hatchery recently where he tried his hand at 'stripping eggs' from female Rainbow Trout, said breeding season has commenced in Ebor.
"While the drought is not over, good rainfall has seen rivers and streams in much better condition and we are hopeful the hatchery can undertake a full stocking season as part of the drought recovery program," he said.
Local stocking is undertaken in close consultation with recreational fishing stakeholders at the New England trout Acclimatisation Society (NETAS), who provide advice on river conditions and help release fish in approved sites.
Journalist based on the Mid North Coast for The Land.
Journalist based on the Mid North Coast for The Land.
