Live fish release
The ACT Government recognises the Buddhist tradition of "life-release", a practice to save animals destined for slaughter as a compassionate action.
Releasing aquatic animals into the wild can be harmful, both for the animals being released and the native animals that call our waterways home. In the ACT, there are guidelines to help protect the health of our waterways and native species during "life-release" practises.
Read our life-release factsheet (1.1 MB).
It is illegal to release any fish into any public water, rivers, lakes or ponds. All fish releases in the ACT require a permit from the ACT Government.
What are the risks?
Many fish sold in Canberra fish markets and restaurants will not survive a live release.
- Non-native and saltwater fish are unlikely to survive outside of their natural ecosystem, such as Canberra's fresh waters.
- Freshwater fish are at risk if the water is too cold, too warm, has the wrong water quality or is missing their food source.
- Native fish that have been raised in captivity are unlikely to survive because they have not learnt to source food or escape predators.
Fish that do survive can harm wild native fish and animals, including species that are threatened with extinction.
- They may have diseases that can spread to wild native fish.
- They may eat, fight or take the breeding spots of native fish.
- They may become pests that the ACT Government must then try to control.
Suitable species
Golden Perch and Murray Cod are the only two species appropriate to release in Canberra's lakes. These fish species are both native to the ACT and are likely to survive and breed.
These species are commercially available and are used in the restaurant trade for eating.
Young fish (less than 15 cm long) are more likely to survive than older fish because they have not lost their skills to live in the wild.
Accredited suppliers
Fish must be sourced from hatcheries accredited under the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) Hatchery Quality Assurance Scheme (HQAS). This ensures fish have the best chance of survival, and helps to keep Canberra's lakes and ponds healthy. These hatcheries also supply fish for restaurants.
Currently, the only accredited supplier for this region is Uarah Fisheries, Grong Grong NSW. You can contact Uarah Fisheries at info@uarahfisheries.com.au.
Applying for a permit
If you would like to release fish you have sourced yourself, the ACT Government can offer you a free permit if the fish:
- meet the suitable species criteria
- are from the HQAS accredited suppliers and
- will be released into an approved waterway.
To apply for a permit, complete the Access Canberra Application for a Licence to Import or Export Live Fish into or out of the ACT or Release Live Fish under the Fisheries Act 2000.
You can also contact the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate's (EPSDD) Licensing and Compliance Team by phone on 02 6207 6376 or email to pcs.licensingandcompliance@act.gov.au, or contact Access Canberra on 13 22 81.
When you receive your permit, it will tell you where you can release the fish in the ACT.
Lake Burley Griffin
Please note that releasing fish into Lake Burley Griffin may also require approval from the National Capital Authority(NCA). You can contact the NCA at lakeburleygriffin@nca.gov.au and will require a permit.
Information from your permit request will be passed onto the NCA.
Googong Reservoir and the Queanbeyan River
NSW DPI permits are required to release fish in Googong Reservoir and the Queanbeyan River.
Penalties
Releasing fish without a permit is illegal. If you release fish illegally, you can be fined up to $5,000 or 6-month imprisonment or both.
More information
For more information on fish or fishing in the ACT, visit the ACT Government fish webpage.