Arcadia Hatchery reels in expansion

Nov 12, 2024

The Arcadia Hatchery has caught a huge deal.

The Arcadia Native Fish Hatchery has reeled in much-needed upgrades.

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The Victorian Government has invested $15 million to triple the size of the hatchery, seeing the number of production ponds increase from 33 to over 100.

Outdoor Recreation Minister Steve Dimopoulos said this upgrade would see the hatchery produce up to six million Murray cod and golden perch annually for stocking into Victorian waters.

“Arcadia is going to be the home of Victoria’s Murray cod and golden perch production for many years to come — and the construction is the first step to having our waterways stocked with these incredible fish for people to catch,” he said.

Works have already started, with crews digging new dams and ponds to hold the fish, and once complete, harvest stations and plankton ponds will be built to grow fingerlings.

The new ponds will hold 141 megalitres of water, the equivalent of 50 Olympic-sized swimming pools. It will also have 220 valves installed for water management.

The project is set to be completed in 2025, with the new fish processing facilities, an expanded hatchery building and a new administration complex to be completed by BMD Urban, using mostly local contractors.

The completion date will give the fish plenty of time to get acclimatised to their new home ahead of the following fishing season.