Perfect for perch: The site where researchers are trying to establish a breeding population of southern pygmy perch, near Seymour. The wetland system is on private land and has survived with vital vegetation thanks to the sheep grazier’s care.
Photo by
Goulburn Broken CMA
Attempts to build a new breeding population of a threatened fish have taken a big step forward.
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Southern pygmy perch thrive in highly vegetated habitat with low flows, quiet rivers and billabongs — exactly what dams, levies and irrigation destroyed as people worked to mitigate floods and concentrate water down the rivers.
In recent months Goulburn Broken CMA has introduced 500 southern pygmy perch to a wetland site on private land in Northwood, near the Puckapunyal military area.
Future looking brighter: Some of the young fish being released at the Northwood site. The small fish species has been pushed out of its original range by habitat loss and predation by introduced species, including the redfin perch (introduced from Britain to Australia for angling).
Ready for release: Arthur Rylah Institute scientist Scott Raymond at the release site. The ARI helped with fish collection and translocation. Also involved in the project is Taungurung Water and Land Council.
Photo by
GBCMA
Seeking to increase the potential success of the release site, GBCMA applied for a Healthy Rivers grant in October 2021.
In mid-January Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum announced GBCMA had successfully secured $98,933.
“The project will control invasive willows and re-snag along the upper Goulburn Rivers to provide habitat for the fish, while injecting $88,000 into the local economy,” Mr Drum said.
Federal Water Minister Keith Pitt was in Shepparton during the announcement and voiced his support for the latest round of Healthy Rivers grants.
“Importantly, these projects will contribute to regional and rural economies across the basin through supporting local jobs and purchasing of goods and supplies from local businesses,” Mr Pitt said.
GBCMA environmental water and wetland manger Simon Casanelia has been closely involved in the repopulation attempt and said the $98,933 would go towards adding more fish, woody debris, reintroducing plants and excluding carp.
“We originally put in 500 fish and now we have the chance to add 300 to 600 more,” Mr Casanelia said.
“This has increased the chances of us having a self-sustaining population.”
Mr Casanelia described the southern pygmy perch as “little tackers” which were as important as the Murray cod despite only growing to 8cm long.
“It’s important to protect these small-body fish, not only focus on the large-body fish,” he said.
“They eat small invertebrates, insects, and like to hang around in areas with good cover where their prey also lives.”
The reintroduction site is on land owned by a sheep grazier who’s supportive of the environmental efforts.
“They (the owner) have been managing the wetland in a considerate way, which is why it’s in such good condition,” Mr Casanelia said.
Little fish, big impact: Some adult southern pygmy perch at the release site. The species is also known as Tasmanian pygmy perch. During breeding season the males’ fins turn bright red.
Photo by
GBCMA
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