Every year a section of Corroboree Billabong is netted off and count of all the Barra in that part of the river is undertaken.
Scientists have sealed off a 600m stretch of water using gill nets to monitor barra numbers. Barra stocks at Corroboree were thought to be depleting during the 1980s due to commercial and heavy recreational fishing, prompting the first “barracade” program.
Barramundi scientist Thor Saunders said over 23 years of research barra numbers were stable despite growth in recreational fishing.
He said the “barracade” was one of the most enduring scientific research programs. The largest barra recorded over the 23 years was 120cm.
Barra stocks are easily replenished by “a few girls and a couple of boys,” Mr Saunders said.
Up to 100,000 eggs are spawned by a female barra but the species are “carnivorous cannibals” – munching on their offspring.
Seven fisheries officers camp on the banks of Corroboree for five days.
