Darrell Higginbottom of Harvey was able to catch a massive goldfish that weighed more than a kilogram from the Harvey River. He said it was his first successful catch.
According to him, he was fishing for redfin perch when he saw the fish moving toward him.
He said he cast his line over the back of the fish and managed to catch it using a hook. After the fight, he took photos of the massive fish and submitted the information to the Harvey River Taskforce.
Jane Townsend, an HRRT officer, said goldfish were quite common in parts of the river where Mr Higginbottom was able to catch them.
She noted that the invasive species had harmed the submerged ecosystem by causing nutrient buildup in the water and algal blooms.
Ms Townsend said that the fish feed on the bottom of the waterways, which then stir up the sediment.
These invasive species can also spread diseases and compete with native fish for the same resources.
Due to the construction of dams and barriers, the slow flow conditions in some of our waterways have favored non-native species such as goldfish and carp.
