[ 27/08/2008 ]
Northern Territory anglers are being asked to avoid a section of Corroboree Billabong during the first week of September, while the annual Barracade fish survey takes place.
The survey will take place from 1st to 5th September and involves placing nets across a section of the billabong, near the location known as Catfish Island at the northern end of the waterway.
Barracade is now in its 22nd year and provides the Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources with valuable information about fish stocks, growth rates and size variation within the river system.
The information gathered contributes to management decisions for the waterway as well as providing baseline data that can be compared in years to come.
Sampling is done by placing two nets across the billabong, which prevents any fish from entering or leaving the area and then counting the fish in this area.
Fisheries staff will also be trialling new electronic sonar equipment to see if it is suitable and accurate enough for conducting fish surveys.
Recreational anglers are asked to avoid the area during the survey period, but researchers are happy to discuss this research with anyone who is in the area.