Threatened fish rescued across NSW

February 14, 2020

RELOCATIONS of threatened fish have been conducted by the NSW Department of Primary Industries from western NSW to the coast, to help protect our native fish species from challenging environmental conditions.

NSW DPI Senior Fisheries Manager Threatened Species Dr Trevor Daly said drought, high temperatures, bushfires and heavy rainfall have placed already threatened fish species across NSW under even greater pressure this summer.

“In order to save as many fish as possible from the record-breaking drought and bushfires, rescues have taken place in the Gwydir, Border Rivers, Macquarie, Lachlan, and Upper Murray catchments in the Murray-Darling Basin, and in the Clarence and Richmond River catchments on the coast,” Dr Daly said.

“Small-bodied threatened fish like the Southern Pygmy Perch, Southern Purple Spotted Gudgeon, Olive Perchlet and Oxleyan Pygmy Perch have been particularly at risk over this challenging summer. Eastern Freshwater Cod, the smaller eastern cousin of our iconic Murray Cod in the west, are facing an additional risk with heavy rainfall after the bushfires driving sediment and ash into the Clarence catchment, deoxygenating the water and leading to fish deaths.

“Threatened fish rescued during the multiple operations to date include approximately 1630 Olive Perchlet, 740 Southern Pygmy Perch, 292 Oxleyan Pygmy Perch, 107 Southern Purple Spotted Gudgeon, 98 Eastern Freshwater Cod, 79 Silver Perch and 34 Eel-tailed Catfish.”

Dr Daly said the rescued fish have been relocated to areas where they will have the best possible chance of surviving or have been transported to government hatcheries and Taronga Western Plains Zoo where they will form the backbone of captive breeding programs.

“Those kept in captivity will help provide us with the genetic diversity required to establish a captive breeding program that will act as an insurance policy for when conditions improve and we can release their offspring back into the wild,” Dr Daly said.

“NSW DPI hatcheries in Port Stephens, Grafton, and Narrandera, as well as facilities at Western Plains Zoo, have been mobilised as part of the threatened species rescue program, with a combination of tanks and open ponds set up specifically to house these fish.”

In all, DPI Fisheries has rescued more than 5,000 native fish from all corners of the state since operations began.

“We’ve been battling the worst drought on record and we know we can’t save every fish, but we are doing what we can to save as many as we can. We are also gearing up for potential fish deaths that are likely to occur in response to heavy rain events,” Dr Daly said.

The NSW Government’s $10 million commitment to support native fish through the drought and bushfire season will be critical in assisting the recovery of populations when conditions improve.

Community members are encouraged to report sightings of threatened fish to help identify where actions may be required to prevent fish deaths. Community members are encouraged to report any fish deaths or observations through the Fishers Watch phoneline on 1800 043 536.

For more information or to report a threatened species, download the FishSmart app, phone the Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536, or visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing.