Gladstone Fish Health Investigation 2011 - 2012 - Western Basin ...

Mr Mitchell reported high catches until late April 2011 in the freshwater, tidal reaches of theBoyne River, Gladstone Harbour and extending into adjoining areas. It is evident that manyof these fish migrated out of the Harbour as tagged Awoonga fish were reported in theBurnett River (Bundaberg) and Ross River (Townsville) (Tagged 9/2/2011 at AwoongaSpillway, recaptured 31/8/2011 at Ross River).By April/May 2011, Mr Mitchell reported that the anal and tail fins were eroded and the fishwere in thinner condition compared with the barramundi caught shortly after being washedover the spillway. In late July 2011, Mr Mitchell observed the first signs of eye problems andthe “skinny fish, tattered fins and the loss of that glossy gleaming iconic barra glint” becamemore common and obvious. “The fish were duller and the body slime seemed more whitishrather than opaque.”Sawynok, et al (2013) also document the change in recreational fishing in Gladstone afterthe 2010/11 flood. Information about fishing trips was obtained from boat ramp surveys anddirectly from recreational fishers and summarised seasonally for the period Autumn 2006 toSpring 2012. The influx of fish from Lake Awoonga changed the catch composition of fishreported by recreational fishers. Barramundi for the period 2006–10 represented only 3.1%of the catch. This changed to 28.4% for the period 2010–12. In the year 2010/11, barramundirepresented more than 50% of the fish caught.12