Community joins forces to tackle invasive Tilapia on the Gold Coast
Tilapia have long been a menace in Queensland’s waterways, outcompeting native species and damaging aquatic habitats. Originally introduced as aquarium fish in the 1970s, these invaders have spread rapidly- thriving in creeks, lakes, and wetlands across the state.
In response, recreational fishers are stepping up to protect their local waterways- and last month, the OzFish Gold Coast Chapter took action.
In February, members of the chapter came together for a member only event targeting tilapia in a small tributary of Saltwater Creek. Despite a few heavy rain showers, dedicated participants removed more than 150 tilapia in just three hours- a huge win for native fish!
Reeling in the prizes
The competition was fierce, but 5-year-old Junior OzFisher Rhys stole the show, taking home the prize for longest tilapia with an impressive 41cm catch. His efforts were rewarded with four annual passes, generously donated by Village Roadshow Theme Parks.
Runner-up Clayton wasn’t far behind, landing a 40cm tilapia, while resident tilapia expert Angus dominated the numbers, catching 68 fish in just three hours. That’s more than one fish every three minutes- an incredible effort that earned him a double pass to a ‘Koala Breakfast’ experience at Paradise Country.
The scale of the problem
OzFish staff member Kaidon got in on the action, reeling in a tilapia that perfectly highlighted why these fish are such a threat. The female tilapia had hundreds of eggs stored in her mouth (a technique called mouth-brooding), which protects eggs and dramatically increases survival rates. With the ability to lay up to 2,000 eggs per spawning, multiple times a year, it’s easy to see how tilapia populations explode and overwhelm native fish.
A united community
Events like this raise awareness about the devastating impact of tilapia, which are listed among the world’s top 100 worst invasive species. As recreational fishers, we play a crucial role in stopping their spread. By learning to identify invasive species, never returning them to the water, and disposing of them responsibly, we can help native fish thrive.
A huge thank you to Village Roadshow Theme Parks and Paradise Country’s Save a Mate Conservation Campaign for their support and for hosting us on-site.
Missed out? Join the Tilapia Tour!
We’re gearing up for our Tilapia Tour, a series of fishing competitions across South East Queensland. These events are a great opportunity to test your skills, meet like-minded fishers, and make a real impact on the health of your local waterways.
Join the Gold Coast chapter to be first on the list to register!
