Talking mulloway at this year’s Sustainable Fishing Exhibit

Talking mulloway at this year’s Sustainable Fishing Exhibit

Last week, anglers across south west Victoria were negotiating days off work to get out on the water in the hope of catching a fish that would see them win a brand new boat – the grand prize in this year’s Shipwreck Coast Fishing Classic. For the first time, anglers had the option of catch and release, highlighting the growing support for sustainable fishing. Last Sunday, anglers congregated down at the breakwater in Warrnambool to listen to presentations and wander around this year’s Sustainable Fishing Exhibit.

Hundreds of south-west Victorian anglers gather at the Warrnambool Breakwater for presentations for this year’s Shipwreck Coast Fishing Classic. Photo: Jarred Obst.

This was a great opportunity for me chat to some local anglers about the current research project on mulloway. Other exhibitors on the day included the Glenelg Hopkins CMA, FishCare, Fish Habitat Network, Fisheries Victoria and Deakin University. Thanks go to the Warrnambool Offshore and Light Game Fishing Club for hosting such a great event.

Nature Glenelg Trust, the Glenelg Hopkins CMA and Fish Habitat Network were just some of the exhibitiors at this year’s Sustainable Fishing Expo. Photos: Jarred Obst and Stephen Ryan.

During the week, a number of legal size mulloway were caught from the Hopkins River, the biggest of which was  78.5 cm, caught by local angler Tane Quarrell. It was great to see so many anglers interested in the research project and eager to get involved. If you would like to know more about how you can get help, contact Lauren by email: .

Lauren Veale (NGT) with local angler Pete McEwen and his 62 cm mulloway, caught from the Hopkins River during the fishing compeition. Photo: Adam Mattner

Lauren Brown