Protocols for the Translocation of Fish in Victorian Inland Public Waters

In December 2003, the Guidelines for the Translocation of Aquatic Organisms in Victoria (the Guidelines) was released to deal with proposals for the deliberate movement of aquatic organisms into and within inland water bodies of Victoria that require approval under the Fisheries Act 1995. The Guidelines provide a structured basis for the assessment of any translocation proposals within a risk-based framework, whether on a one-off or an ongoing basis. In accordance with the Guidelines, where translocations are likely to be repeated and have similar characteristics in terms of species, transport medium (water), source and destination location, preference will be given to the development of approved translocation protocols. Once approved, the protocols will allow individual translocations, which conform to the protocol, to be approved without the requirement for a case-by-case risk assessment.

This document describes protocols that apply to the translocation of fish, for recreational fishing and conservation purposes. The protocols reflect specific management responses to minimise the risks associated with translocation of this nature.

Separate protocols are outlined for the translocation of native and salmonid species for recreational purposes, as well as the translocation of native fish for conservation purposes. Each protocol specifies the criteria under which common types of translocations will be approved without the requirement for a case-by-case risk assessment.

This report is available in PDF format. If you do not have the Acrobat PDF reader you can download a free copy from Adobe Acrobat (external link)

Fisheries Management Paper No 24, August 2005

(PDF 807kb)