Electro Fishing uses an electrical current to ‘stun’ fish by sending an electric shock from a small Annode off the front of the boat, grounded to the boat itself. Any fish caught in between the two get a hefty zap, before they roll over, float to the surface and get collected by fisherman.

While it might sound a little sci-fi, Ben Broadhurst from Canberra Universities Institute of Applied Ecology says the technology is “non-destructive, so it doesn’t tend to injure the fish if it is done correctly”. Aside that benefit, the lack of fishing tackle scraping along the bottom of rivers improves water clarity, helping food sources replenish faster. It seems like a win-win for both native fish and imported species.

The energy field of the device ranges depending on the conductivity of the water, which is based on salt content amongst other things, but typically reaches up to 5m from the boat. Cycles of 90 seconds have been tested to great effect, with the boat driving slowly along river banks pulsing the electric charge.

Recent testing of the method on the Numeralla River has proven successful, with plenty of European Carp and Brown Trout being captured, but the native fish seem to be more resilient, proving harder to stun. We knew Aussies are tough, but who knew we breed the fish tough too! The Numeralla River is believed to be a breeding hot spot for the European Carp, which is breeding in alarming numbers around Australia and doing some serious damage to both water quality and food supply to native Australian Fish. Scientists are working on a virus to breed the species out by causing only females to be born, but those trials are still several years away.

With advances in technology, this electro fishing could prove to be extremely effective in both recreational fishing, and in controlling the numbers of European Carp in Australian waterways. While Carp can be eaten if cooked properly, the fish aren’t exactly considered a delicacy (despite advertising telling Australian’s such in the 90’s). Brown Trout on the other hand isn’t too bad, so in a couple of years you might see tinnys with large batteries sitting on the bow, and fish bobbing to the surface behind every few minutes.

Or we won’t, and recreational anglers will still be sitting on the jetty with a rod in one hand, a beer in the other and their eyes on the horizon…

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