Population Dynamics and Implications for Management of a Murray Cod and Golden Perch Recreational Fishery in South Eastern Australia

The thesis collected new information on maturity and growth for Murray cod and golden perch, which was used as evidence for the introduction of new Murray cod size limits in 2014. The thesis also assessed the effectiveness of stocking Murray cod and golden perch, which showed that the proportion of stocked fish was higher in dams than rivers, which led to removal of the closed season for Murray cod in Copeton Dam. The thesis includes extensive surveys of recreational fishers in the Murrumbidgee River and Lake Mulwala to obtain estimates of fishing effort, catch-and-release, harvest and also how, when and where anglers use these fisheries. The information from these surveys are unique, and are used by fishery managers to understand the stressors on these fisheries, and whether interventions are necessary.