Fish stocking involves producing fish fry or fingerlings and releasing them into dams or river systems.

Fish stocking can provide many benefits such as creating new fisheries or augmenting existing ones. Fish stocking is recognised for its importance to the community in terms of quality recreational fishing, conservation outcomes, employment and subsequent economic benefits that have grown in response to the activity over many years.

What is the Dollar for Dollar Native Fish Stocking Program?

The Dollar for Dollar Native Fish Stocking Program was introduced in 1998 to enable community groups apply to the NSW Recreational Fishing (Freshwater) Trust (funded by the recreational fishing fee) for matching funds to purchase native fish from licensed commercial hatcheries in NSW, for the stocking of rivers and dams across the State.

The Program has been extremely well received by the public. To date, around 4.1 million golden perch, 1.8 million Murray cod, and 1.2 million Australian bass have been stocked since the program commenced.

How can I get involved?

Stocking groups may apply to stock fish on a dollar for dollar basis by completing the online form and submitting it prior to the closing date.

• Dollar for Dollar Native Fish Stocking Program online form

Things to consider when completing an application

Who can apply?

Individuals, State agencies, community groups, local councils and non-government organisations may apply to the program.

What species of fish can I apply to stock?

For the 2008-2009 stocking season (September 2008–May 2009) matching funding has been set aside for the stocking of Australian bass, Murray cod and golden perch.

Stocking sites

Stocking is permitted in dams and rivers within NSW subject to an assessment of suitability. Groups are asked to provide a detailed description of the preferred release site(s) and to attach a map reference showing the location(s) proposed for stocking, so that applications may be properly assessed. Proposed stocking site(s) must be within the natural distribution of the species nominated and must have good public access. The nominated site(s) should provide fish with suitable forage food, have good water quality and provide protection from predators. Proposals to stock should be in areas where natural breeding for that species is insufficient to maintain a recreational fishery. The stocking level must also be appropriate for the nominated waterway.

Assessment of stocking proposals

Applications to stock fish are assessed against the specific criteria of the Fish Stocking Fishery Management Strategy (FMS), including interactions between stocked species and threatened species. Stocking may be restricted in some areas. If a proposal does not meet FMS guidelines, applicants will be asked to consider alternative stocking sites.

The FMS will ensure the continued involvement of anglers in a responsible fish stocking program to maintain and enhance our valuable freshwater recreational fisheries.

Funding arrangements

For each application, offers between $1,000 and $5,000 will be considered to optimise the success of the program. Partnerships are encouraged. (Please do not send any money with your application.)

Successful applicants will be invited to place an order for fish with a licensed commercial supplier in NSW. The fish stocking order is an amount equivalent to the offer made in the application, plus a matching amount from the Trust to the fish supplier after the stocking event. For example, if a stocking group offers $1,000 in matching funding, it will obtain $2,000 worth of fish from the supplier for stocking into waters as approved.

(If the total amounts offered by all stocking groups exceeds the budget for the program, then a pro-rata reduction on funding may need to be applied.)

Groups that are successful with their stocking proposals are responsible for payments to suppliers for amounts offered in their applications inclusive of delivery costs and GST.

Fish stocking permit

Once an order has been placed with a fish supplier, NSW DPI will issue a specific fish stocking permit for stocking groups, to enable the stocking to proceed. Conditions on this permit must be adhered to at all times.

The stocking group and the hatchery are responsible for arranging the supply of the fish.

Application closing dates for the 2008-09 stocking season

Applications to stock Australian bass on a dollar for dollar basis close on 14 March 2008.

Applications to stock Murray cod and/or golden perch on a dollar for dollar basis close on 25 April 2008.

Closing dates have been set prior to the spawning periods for the different species, allowing sufficient time for applications to be processed and for hatcheries to prepare for their orders, prior to the commencement of the various fish stocking seasons.

Please ensure that applications are submitted prior to the closing date.

Closing dates for the application form for the 2008-09 Stocking Season

Australian bass: 14 March 2008. Murray cod and/or Golden perch: 25 April 2008.

For more information

NSW catchments and releases.

Distribution of the three species

Australian bass

Lives in coastal rivers from the Mary River and Fraser Island in Queensland south to tributaries of Gippsland Lakes in Victoria. Australian bass migrate downstream into estuaries to breed from May to August before their return homing migration. They spawn in brackish waters when the water temperature is 11-18°C (McDowall 1996), Australian bass is a highly sought-after angling species and supports a major recreational fishery.

Australian bass distribution

Golden perch

Lives in coastal rivers from the Mary River and Fraser Island in Queensland south to tributaries of Gippsland Lakes in Victoria. Australian bass migrate downstream into estuaries to breed from May to August before their return homing migration. They spawn in brackish waters when the water temperature is 11-18°C (McDowall 1996), Australian bass is a highly sought-after angling species and supports a major recreational fishery.

Golden perch distribution

Murray Cod

The natural range of Murray cod encompasses most of the Murray-Darling River system of SA, Vic., NSW and Qld (Allen, 1989). This species is found in habitats ranging from small, clear, rocky streams in the upper-western slopes of NSW to the generally turbid, slow-flowing rivers and creeks of the western plains. The species prefers deep holes near cover such as fallen trees, rocks and overhanging vegetation (Harris & Rowland, 1996). Mature adults migrate long distances upstream to spawn during spring-summer when water temperatures are approximately 20°C.

Murray cod distribution