Burnett Water has contracted the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) to undertake a 10 year lungfish monitoring program, commencing in 2006.  The monitoring program includes:

• lungfish population surveys;
• lungfish habitat assessment; and
• lungfish spawning surveys.

Lungfish population surveys are undertaken using electrofishing.  Electrofishing is the most reliable and humane method of sampling adult lungfish.  Electrofishing passes an electrical current through the water, stunning fish for a short period of time allowing the sampler to net the fish and transfer it to the boat.  The weight and length of each individual lungfish is recorded.  Each lungfish is scanned for existing tags, and untagged fish are tagged.  A small number of lungfish from each site are surgically examined to determine their sex and state of maturity.  Once processed, lungfish are returned to the water.

Electrofishing

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