Got this from Pres MAS

Dear Supporters

On 2 July 2020, MAS Secretary Rod Whiteway and I met with NSW Fisheries to discuss our Concept Plan for the trout grow-out facility which is to be developed as an off-set for Snowy Hydro 2.0. During this meeting we presented our plan and our four priorities. At the end of this meeting NSW Fisheries asked that the MAS enter into “Agreed Principles” with DPI for the project. The MAS Executive is working on this and we will make a decision soon.

On 7 July I met with Snowy Hydro to present our Concept Plan to them. It is my assessment that our Concept Plan was well received.

Under the Final Assessment, Snowy Hydro is required to develop a detailed Recreational Fishing Management Plan, which includes a program involving the spending of $5 million over 5 years during construction (of Snowy Hydro 2.0) to develop the capability to restock, and to restock, the Tantangara Reservoir and Lake Eucumbene with salmonid fish. The anglers of the region have provided substantial support for the MAS proposal that the facility must produce fish of such a size that can withstand redfin predation. The MAS has identified 200 to 250mm as the preferred size and this has subsequently been confirmed by DPI researchers.

To get trout to this size it is imperative that the Gaden Trout Hatchery is capable of operating year-round with minimal impact from reduced water flow or high-water temperatures. Over the last two hatchery seasons we have seen Gaden production impacted by Thredbo River hot water events. It is likely that these hot water events will continue ad hoc into the future. Because of climate change there is the distinct probability such events will become more frequent. The MAS has formed the view that Water Temperature Security (WTS) is the critical element in any Plan for the facility. To ensure WTS the MAS has developed this Concept Plan to ensure WTS for the grow-out facility and Gaden Hatchery generally.

The MAS has adopted the position that there are four priorities for this project, and they are non-negotiable in concept. They are:

• Water Temperature Security must be secured for Gaden Hatchery,
• The facility must be capable of growing out a minimum of 150,000 yearling trout per annum for stocking,
• A suitable fish transporter must be part of the plan to ensure trout are stocked efficiently and effectively, and
• Holding a reserve of funds for the mid-term repair or replacement of the pump and / or pipeline.

If you would like more detail on the Concept Plan you can find it on the MAS Web Site at this link.

http://www.monarofishsociety.org/news.html

The MAS will keep you informed as the project develops.

Steve Samuels

President

Monaro Acclimatisation Society Inc.

July 2020