Sweetwater Fishing Forums
General Category => News Views & Press Releases => Topic started by: Editor on April 14, 2014, 09:34:32 PM
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Community project brings back the Mac Perch
14 April 2014 - VIC DEPI
Around 50 young Macquarie Perch (Macquaria australasica) have made the trek from Lake Dartmouth to the Ovens River as part of a program to reintroduce the threatened species back into its old stomping ground.
(http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0007/258199/macperch-kids-ovens-web.jpg)
Biodiversity officer holding Macquarie Perch
Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) Senior Biodiversity Officer, Glen Johnson, said: "Historically, Macquarie Perch were found in large numbers in the lower and mid-Ovens River and this new reintroduction program aims to create a self-sustaining population into the future."
"A recent intensive stocking program accompanied by robust scientific research resulted in the successful re-introduction of Trout Cod in the Ovens River," Mr Johnson said.
"Macquarie perch are next in-line, with a five-year stocking program using fingerlings produced by Fisheries Victoria at the Snobs Creek fish hatchery and direct translocations of young fish from the healthy Lake Dartmouth population."
"The fingerlings and translocated fish will generate a range of age and developmental stages similar to that which exist in natural populations."
"This is an important first step toward re-establishing a Macquarie Perch population with the long-term goal of creating a sustainable fishery for anglers."
The first translocation of juvenile and sub-adult fish took place on Friday (11 April) at Tarrawingee Reserve (on the Ovens River) as part of a community event run by DEPI and the North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA).
The NECMA hosted a sausage sizzle and one of their 'Catchment Conversations' on the draft North East Waterway Strategy, available at www.necma.vic.gov.au (http://www.necma.vic.gov.au).
State and federal agencies as well as community groups have invested in rehabilitation works and community education activities to improve the Ovens Rivers' capacity to restore and maintain its native fish community.
Works have included weed control, managing stock access, the installation of an improved fishway next to the Wangaratta weir, native revegetation along river banks, community education programs, and restoring fish habitat by increasing 'snags' (logs) and 'fish hotels' in the river.
This project is supported by funding from the Australian Government, DEPI's Victorian Environment Partnership Program (VEPP), the Victorian Government's $16 million Recreational Fishing Initiative, fishing licence fees and the NECMA.
DEPI works with a range of agencies to strengthen its environmental efforts and ensure better protection and more productive catchments throughout Victoria.