New Year, new barra challenge
Published on 31 January 2022
The countdown to the 2022 barramundi season is well and truly on with keen anglers across the region and country ready to wet a line and chase their New Year barra personal bests (PB’s) from the 1st of February.
Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said the number of trophy Barra over the magic metre in length continues to grow each season.
“We are proud to have some of the best barra fishing in the country, right here on the mighty Fitzroy River,” said Mayor Williams.
“With Rockhampton’s Recreational Fishing Voluntary Code of Practice now in place for 6 years, the closed season between November and January continues to give barramundi time to spawn and protect them at this vulnerable time in their life cycle.
“This has two great benefits – preserving the species for future generations and ensuring great stocks for today’s anglers.
“A strong focus on sustainable fishing has helped to make our barra fishery the envy across Northern Australia with fishing related tourism netting more tourists year on year chasing their trophy barra PB right in the heart of our CBD”.
Advance Rockhampton Executive Manager Greg Bowden, said Fishing the Fitzroy continues to be a major draw card for visitors to our region.
“InfoFish recently reported the average distance travelled by fishing and boating tourists to Rockhampton has increased by 50% between 2020 and 2021, travelling up to 300kms to fish the Fitzroy.
“If you are travelling from Brisbane, you can be on a plane and on the water, fishing the Fitzroy in less than two hours.
“That’s a fantastic result, with more people visiting our region, booking accommodation, eating in our cafes and restaurants and stocking up in local tackle stores.
“With events like The Barra Bash in October each year continuing to grow and the team at Advance Rockhampton continuing to engage with nationally recognised fishing ambassadors, we expect the region to benefit from another great barra fishing season.
“We encourage visitors to jump onto www.fishingthefitzroy.com.au to find out more about fishing the Fitzroy, sign up to our Voluntary Code of Practice and plan their next fishing trip to the barra capital now”.
The 2022 Barramundi season officially kicks off at midday on Tuesday 1 February and runs through until midnight 31st October.
Sign up to the Voluntary Code of Practice here: https://www.explorerockhampton.com.au/Explore/Fishing-the-Fitzroy/Voluntary-Code-of-Practice
Read more about the best fishing spots in the region here: https://www.advancerockhampton.com.au/Visit/Fishing
Find out about fishing charters here: https://www.explorerockhampton.com.au/Explore/Fishing-the-Fitzroy/Book-a-charter
ENDS