Hazelwood Barra update

[greggo]

The Barra are still going strong.

https://www.facebook.com/FisheriesVicto ... =3&theater

For those unable to access the link:

We can confirm there is a strong population of barramundi in the upper warm channel of Hazelwood Pondage.

This area will support the barra throughout winter thanks to warm goundwater flowing in at 40˚C.

We have also observed cichlid baitfish in the channel on which the barra will feed.

We're doing everything we can to keep our unique southern barra fishery going!

Last week we caught and transferred 150 barra from the Pondage to the upper channel.

While this area is currently out of bounds to fishing, we are working with land owners to facilitate recreational fishing access to the upper warm channel.

Melbourne University researchers are currently looking at options to sustain the fishery well into the future.

[barra mick]

Well thats great news

Lets hope the 40 degrees stays that way

[rb85]

Great report few things though considering these fish are deep within the no early fish David Kramer Poacher Paul zone.

-150 barra transported out of a few thousand?
-Are the leftover barra able to travel and access the area with the warm water over winter?
-The area where the fish have been located is reasonably small compared to the wider lake is there attempts to heat the rest of the impoundment up like previously mentioned?
-Will boats be able to access the area or will it become like Mornington pier on the banks?

Lets hope it works so there can be another early fish.

[barra mick]

Have they come up with a long term plan to heat the whole lake do you no ??

[rb85]

Have they come up with a long term plan to heat the whole lake do you no ??

No idea BM hope it leads to that.

[greggo]

Have they come up with a long term plan to heat the whole lake do you no ??

Copied from a previous post:

Apparently they have minimal flow from the aquifer at the moment. They are testing the fish tolerance the to minerals in the water. If they are okay, more hot water can be accessed through other aquifers, with the intention to return the temp close to what it was originally. This all depends on how the Barra's cope with the water quality from the aquifer/s.

I got this information from the Charlie Carp guys doing the relocation, then later confirmed to me by a local guy who is liaising with Fisheries and the Uni.

[Blueyed1]

Wow! There is some hope after all!

Joe

[4liters]

mmm, I didn't expect that. Maybe they can drill a bore or whatever to create a source of hot water in a part of the lake anyone can access

[Bayrock]

According to the FB group "East Gippsland Fishing Reports" and their photo's the Barra in Hazelwood are dying off.
Guess the Vic winter got to them after all.

[barra mick]

Can you put the link up for that fb page?