- Fingerlings are packed in heavy duty plastic bags with clean water and pure oxygen then packed into polystyrene boxes.
- They can last for many hours in their transport package, however fish should be removed from bags as soon as possible (fish in bags are usually under stress).
- Until the fish are released they should be kept in the shade – overheating can occur quickly if the fish are left in the sun.
- When releasing the fish it is necessary to equalise the temperature between the bag water and the dam.
- It is best to lay the plastic bag on the surface of the dam.
- Float bags of fish for 5 to 10 minutes to equalize temperature prior to releasing the fish.
- Open the bag, slowly add dam water with a jug over a period of about 2 minutes.
- After the fish have become accustomed to the change they will drift out of the bag.
- Let them swim out lifting the corners of the bag gently as they do so.
- Keep an eye on the fish until they get their bearings and then slip safely out of sight.