Trout Eggs to Help Revive Bushfire Affected Farm

The Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Ben Hardman, said the eggs would help four farms – in Marysville, Buxton and Murrindindi – which had been directly affected by the Black Saturday bushfires.

“These farms lost an estimated 220 tonnes of trout to the fires and the Brumby Government is keen to help them rebuild their business and get back on their feet,” Mr Hardman said.

“Earlier this month the Victorian Trout Association asked the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) for help restocking the affected properties.

“The DPI Snobs Creek fish hatchery already produces around 300,000 trout fingerlings each year to stock inland waters.

“In answer to the trout farmers’ call DPI is producing an extra 500,000 Rainbow trout eggs from June 2009, without compromising its public waters stocking commitments.

“DPI is also working closely with the Victorian Trout Association (VTA) to provide advice on water quality impacts, the use of fish transport vehicles and support for the development of a trout industry recovery plan.”

VTA President, Edward Meggitt welcomed DPI’s support in helping the trout industry recover from the devastating February bushfires.

“In particular, the provision of trout eggs will help those bushfire affected trout farmers to restock and get back to business,” he said.

To further accelerate rebuilding of trout stocks, trout farmers are also investigating the supply of trout eggs and fingerlings from Tasmanian fish farms”, Mr Meggitt said.

The Victorian Government recognises the important contribution of the trout farming sector in the Shire of Murrindindi through the supply of premium fish and as one of the largest industry employers in the region.