SAFETY ALERT!

63%

2023-04-01 23:08:12 DAM CAPACITY 63.00% 35.10M HEIGHT 486,002ML VOLUME

Aquaculture Gladstone

GAWB operates one of the largest fish stocking programs in Queensland, with more than five million Barramundi, Mangrove Jack and Sea Mullet fingerlings released since restocking activities commenced in 1991.

GAWB is building a new multi-species fish hatchery at Lake Awoonga which will be capable of producing up to 1.5 million fingerlings a year once operational.

Located adjacent to Lake Awoonga Lookout One, the new facility will feature:

  1. Recirculating Aquaculture System – efficient and reduced impact to the environment; improved production numbers to sustain general fisheries permit numbers.
  2. Interpretive reception area for:

      (a) Tourism initiatives
      (b) School education
      (c) Live fish display
      (d) Recreational information

  1. Laboratory facilities to support hatchery operations and research opportunities.
  2. Improved fish monitoring – to provide ecology data and enhance the success of GAWB restocking programs.
  3. Saltwater intake facility located on the Boyne River.

Commissioning activities are now well underway with the facility expected to open to the public later this year.

Limitations (1 Feb to 31 Oct) Limitations (1 Nov to 31 Jan)
Minimum size 58cm Minimum size 58cm
Bag limit of 5 fish per person/ 10 per boat (with 2 or more people on board) and one (1) fish can be over 120cm Bag limit of one 1 fish per person/ 2 per boat (with 2 or more people on board) during the closed season - this fish can be over 120cm

Fish stocking and monitoring

The aims of our fish stocking program are to:

  1. return fish species to the Boyne River which have been displaced by construction of the dam wall
  2. provide a high-quality recreational fishery in the Gladstone region; and
  3. encourage recreational use of the lake.

GAWB undertakes a fish monitoring program that provides valuable insights into lake ecology, barramundi growth rates, as well as general health, dispersal, feeding preferences and patterns, and preferred habitat.

This valuable data assists the hatchery team to select optimal locations and timings for stocking activities to promote successful survival and recruitment in the lake.

Catch limits

There is no closed season at Lake Awoonga but there are some important catch limits to be aware of.

Species Minimum Size Bag Limit
Barramundi 58cm 1 February to 31 October: Bag limit of 5 fish per person/ 10 per boat (with 2 or more people on board) and one (1) fish can be over 120cm 1 November to 31 January: Bag limit of one 1 fish per person/ 2 per boat (with 2 or more people on board) during the closed season - this fish can be over 120cm.
Mangrove Jack 35cm 5 fish per person
Sea Mullet 30cm 20 fish per person

Other Stocked Fish

Mangrove Jack – minimum size is 35cm – bag limit of five (5) fish per person

Sea Mullet – minimum size is 30cm –  bag limit of twenty (20) fish per person

Other Fish – DAFF fishing regulations govern capture of other species.

Events at Awoonga Dam

At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas molestias.

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Contact us
  • +61 7 4976 3000
    (Mon – Fri, 8.30am to 5.00pm)
  • +61 7 4979 2125
    (After hours and on weekends)
  • PO Box 466,
    Gladstone QLD 4680
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© 2022 Gladstone Area Water Board

The Gladstone Area Water Board proudly acknowledges the Byellee, Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang and Taribelang Bunda people as the Traditional Custodians of the Gladstone region. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise the ongoing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the land and water on which we rely.