Nile Perch?

[Tom82y]

I am relatively new to fishing in any serious way but I have many fishing publications inherited from my father which date back to the 70s and 80s. Have any Nile Perch been released in Australian waterways? Where are they? I would certainly like to have a crack at them if they have. Last I read (very old magazine) they were a controversial environmental issue.

[grenadier]

i dont think any were released but i 'm not 100% certain

[BobbyJ123]

No and they should NEVER be released in any Australian waters.
http://www.pulseplanet.com/archive/Dec97/1513.html

[petelaska]

Isn't it related to barramundi, when you look at the pictures of each they look similar, also the meat when cooked has a similar texture and taste
pete

[Obi___Wan]

Tom82y

I can remember there was some discussion back in the 80's re stocking Nile Perch into QLD impoundments, i believe it was discarded on the grounds that the Nile Perch would, keeping in mind that the things can grow well in excess of 100lbs, decimate the native fish stocks and could also escape into the wild when the impoundments overflowed. This was a good move in my opinion as we don't need any more Tilarpia type infestations at the expense of of own native species.

I say go ahead and stock all our SE QLD impoundments with our own Barramundi, it would be a much better option.

If you want to catch a Nile Perch, fly to Eygpt and fish in, i believe Lake Nasser?

May The Fish Be With You.

John.

[paddo]

You are spot on about moves in the 70's to introduce Nile perch into Australian waters. The chief promoter of this scheme was a chap named Hamar Midgley. I was on a panel that knocked this on the head since we felt our native fish would be endangered and were equally as good sportfish and better eating. Earlier moves to introduce large and small mouth bass from America were knocked on the head as well.
Paddo.