An investigation into the movement of Mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) within the Glenelg River

There have been few studies which have described the movement of Mulloway within Australian estuaries. To better manage, and understand the behaviour of the important recreational species, the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) recently funded a tagging program within the Glenelg River.

Scientists from the Arthur Rylah Institute have recently completed phase one of the project, with acoustic tags having been surgically implanted into 30 Mulloway captured from the system. These fish will be tracked over the following 1000 days, using 20 stationary VR2 listening stations located throughout the estuary. This data will subsequently be investigated for patterns of movement related to dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, and flow within the system.

Phase two of the project will involve the team value adding, with further Mulloway, Estuary perch and Bream, proposed to be tagged using externally individually numbered dart tags. The information gained using this technique, will provide further vital information as to growth, movement, and behaviour of these species.

What you can do if you capture a tagged fish If you decide to release a tagged fish; record the date and location of capture, the tag number, and an accurate length of the fish; Call the phone number on the tag to report the details and to receive a reward. If you decide to keep a tagged fish: Record date and location of capture, tag number, and an accurate length of the fish; If you find an acoustic tag in the body cavity, it is requested that it is returned by mail to the address on the associated dart tag; Where possible, freeze the head (in particular), and the internal organs (not just the stomach); Call the phone number on the tag to report the details, to enable pickup (of the head and internal organs) and to receive a reward.

For further details on the project, contact either Jason Lieschke or Daniel Stoessel on (03) 94508600