News Release - Tilapia on the move

[QLD_Fisheries]

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/news/NewsReleases/12365.html

The information contained in this document is distributed by the Queensland Government for information purposes only. All reasonable steps have been made to ensure the information is accurate at the time of publication. For more information visit the DPI Fishweb site at http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb

[Lucky_Phill]

29 April, 2003

Tilapia on the move
The noxious fish tilapia is on the move in the Barron River on the Atherton Tablelands according to the Department of Primary Industries.

The Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) has confirmed a tilapia was found in the Barron River between the Tinaroo Dam wall and the Barron River Falls and handed in to the DPI Walkamin Research Station on April 17.

This is the first time a tilapia has been recorded in this stretch of the Barron River.

QFS fisheries biologist Rachel Mackenzie said the tilapia was identified as a Mozambique mouthbrooder.

Ms Mackenzie said the species had been found in Tinaroo Dam and tilapia were widespread below the Barron falls.

“It is difficult to say how the tilapia got into this stretch of river as it was found at Mantaka, some distance from Tinaroo Dam,” she said.

“The fish may have come over the spillway from the dam or have been the result of someone accidentally or intentionally moving the fish from another location.

“Many people don’t realise that there are fines of up to $150,000 associated with being in possession of tilapia and using them as bait, live or dead.”

Ms Mackenzie said QFS was planning to conduct a survey to establish the extent of the infestation and was also calling on the public to inform them of any other tilapia sightings in this stretch of river.

She said once tilapia had become established in Tinaroo Dam it was inevitable they would eventually establish in this part of the Barron River.

“QFS is working closely with SunWater to install screens across the Mareeba-Dimbulah irrigation channel to prevent their spread into the Gulf catchments,” she said.

“Unfortunately, once tilapia have established in a system they are impossible to remove therefore it is vital that these screens are installed to prevent their movement via water transfers into an uninfested catchment.”

Ms Mackenzie said it was important people killed tilapia as soon as they caught them and disposed of them on the bank away from the water.

“Mozambique mouthbrooders hatch their eggs inside their mouths,” she said.

“Viable tilapia eggs and fry can potentially be moved around in the mouths of dead tilapia or in buckets used to transport adult tilapia to the bank.

“For this reason anglers should rinse their buckets carefully and never use tilapia as bait.”


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Further information: Rachel Mackenzie (07) 3239 0727
Media Officer: Liz Smith Ph: +61 7 3224 7757
Department of Primary Industries Media Unit
GPO Box 46 Brisbane Qld 4001. Fax +61 7 3239 0860

[Jack_Lives_Here]

Reckon those big Tinaroo barra would snack off a few - a nice mouthful for bucket mouth like that.

Bit of a concern for sure. They get thrown as far up the bank as possible if they end up on my line.
These things are mouthbroaders right. If birds were eating the dead fish what are the chances the eggs attach themselves to bird and are transfered that way????

[Paul_C]

Jack,

Try eating them, if these ugly critters have any redeeming qualities at all, one of them is, they actually taste pretty good.

Regards
Paul Cade

[fishy_phil]

gday
is it legal to keep them for the plate or do you just have to dispose of them on the above mentioned way???

phil