Kylie Charlton releases some golden perch in the creek at Conargo.
More than 50,000 new native fish fingerlings have been introduced to district waterways in key areas, as part of a combined effort to restore native fish populations and improve waterway health.
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More than half of those have been delivered thanks to the Yanco Creek and Tributaries Advisory Council (YACTAC).
With a Refreshing Rivers and Department of Primary Industries Fisheries grants, 25,700 golden perch (yellowbelly) fingerlings were introduced to the Billabong and Yanco Creeks.
YACTAC project officer Andrea Mitchell said paired with separate projects undertaken in the Edward River Council region and at Jerilderie by the Jerilderie Fishing Club, the total investment has been 52,000 fingerlings.
This included some Murray cod fingerlings, with releases concentrated in the Wanganella, Conargo, Jerilderie, and Morundah regions.
“YACTAC’s fish release is a critical step in combating the current imbalance in the Yanco Creek System, where an estimated 70 to 80 per cent of the fish population is dominated by carp,” Ms Mitchell said.
“By bolstering the native fish population, these efforts aim to restore ecological balance, enhance biodiversity, and support the health of the waterways.
“Releasing fish is just one piece of the puzzle.
“It’s part of a bigger effort to improve waterway health and address challenges like invasive species. We’re working towards a future where golden perch can thrive and reproduce naturally.”
Once abundant, golden perch populations have suffered declines due to habitat degradation, invasive species such as carp, and river regulation.
Fingerlings thrive on a diet of plankton, invertebrates, small shrimp, and worms.
To give them the best chance at survival, healthy habitats are crucial.
Vegetation like water plants, rushes, and sedges provide vital cover for young fish, offering protection from predators and enhancing water quality, which is the focus of another project recently undertaken by YACTAC.
And Ms Mitchell said it’s “just the beginning”.
“YACTAC plans to release eel-tailed catfish fingerlings as part of its ongoing commitment to improving waterway health and contributing to the community’s connection with the natural environment,” she said.
Helping at the Morundah fish release was young Fred (surname not provided).
