Recreational fishing on the River Murray would be reinvigorated with help from a $10.5 million initiative to boost fish stocks and have more people dropping a line across the state.

Shadow Minister for Recreation and Member for Chaffey Tim Whetstone is promoting the Go Fish SA campaign at the Club Marine SA Boat and Fishing Show this weekend.  

Mr Whetstone said Go Fish SA was a timely reminder of the freshwater alternatives available following the Labor Government’s announcement of algal bloom restrictions in SA waters.  

A Liberal Government would transform South Australia’s recreational fishing industry across four key pillars: Vision. Hatchery. Habitat. Restocking.

Vision: Increase the number of recreational fishers to 500,000 by 2030.

Hatchery: $5 million to build a native fish hatchery in the Riverland and remove the need for South Australia to import fish stocks from interstate.

Habitat: Re-snag the River Murray to support native fish habitats and encourage community involvement with the installation of ‘fish hotels’.

Restocking: The hatchery would breed Murray cod, golden perch, freshwater catfish and silver perch to be distributed across SA’s reservoirs and waterways.

Mr Whetstone said restoring fisheries was critical to both the environmental and economic future of river communities.

“If you’re fishing on the River Murray in South Australia, on average it could take you 97 trips to catch a Murray cod when it would only take three in Victoria and New South Wales,” he said.

“We have the least productive fishery in the Murray-Darling Basin, and that has to change if we want to attract more recreational fishers.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put the ‘Mighty’ back into the Mighty Murray. Our fishing industry would be a key driver of regional tourism and community wellbeing, creating jobs and attracting investment.

“The health of our river is reflected in the health of its native fish population, which has been in decline for a long time now. Go Fish SA is our chance to rehabilitate the River Murray in a way that ensures sustainability for future generations.”

In addition to Go Fish SA, Mr Whetstone will also be promoting the 12th-annual SA Carp Frenzy coming up on February 28. The event attracts more than 1000 fishing enthusiasts to Lake Bonney, Barmera, each year.