Victoria’s duck abundance survey about to begin

The Game Management Authority (GMA) will begin its annual aerial survey of Victoria’s game duck population on Monday, 16 October 2023.

The Game Management Authority (GMA) will begin its annual aerial survey of Victoria’s game duck population on Monday, 16 October 2023.

The survey will be conducted by experienced wildlife biologists, who will record the presence, species and number of game ducks at more than 870 waterbodies across Victoria, including wetlands, farm dams, sewerage treatment plants, streams and rivers.

Satellite imaging will then be used to determine the amount of wetland habitat available and, together with abundance estimates, will inform an estimate of the total abundance of Victoria’s game duck species.

The GMA is continuing this research in 2023, in line with existing government policy, as part of the Victorian Government’s Sustainable Hunting Action Plan 2021-24 and commitment to introducing adaptive harvest management.

GMA Chief Executive Officer, Graeme Ford said regularly collecting data is critical to understanding what drives the abundance and productivity of game duck populations.

“Victoria’s approach to adaptive harvest management depends on abundance and habitat data being collected consistently and regularly so we can accurately predict future abundance, based on environmental conditions at the time,” Mr Ford said.

“This research benefits wildlife conservation by increasing our understanding of the ecology of Victoria’s game duck populations and the health of their habitats.”

The 2023 survey is scheduled to take place from Monday, 16 October – Thursday, 2 November. The flight schedule may change from day to day, depending on weather conditions or other factors.

Residents in surveyed areas may see a helicopter flying at low levels for a short time and for no longer than is necessary. The safety of people and livestock is a priority.

The results of the survey will be published on the GMA website in 2024, following analysis of the survey data.

For more information, visit: gma.vic.gov.au/research/duck-research

Proposed flight path – aerial survey 2023