OVER 60,000 Murray cod and golden perch were stocked into the upper Macquarie River catchment this week.
The enormous stocking effort was conducted by volunteer recreational anglers from the Central Acclimatisation Society (CAS) and the Bundi Fishing club to complement native fish stockings from previous years and also ensure native fish survival in the upper Macquarie River catchment.
Thanks to the highly valued and ongoing support of businesses and individuals who sponsor the annual Sofala Carp Blitz, and the growing support of recreational anglers who attend the event, Sofala branch of CAS is able to contribute all profits to annual restocking of native fish into local waterways. The increased native fish stocks compete against invasive species such as redfin and European carp and also enhance fishing opportunities for recreational anglers.
Money raised by local angling organisations and contributed to the Native Fish Restocking Program is matched $2 for $1 by the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust funded from the sale of Recreational Fishing Licences providing a fantastic initiative for angling groups to restock their local rivers with native fish.
Bundi Fishing club members released about 20,000 Murray cod into the Macquarie River below Hill End in the major stocking event along with Bathurst & Oberon CAS members stocking around 19,500 Murray cod and golden perch into the Macquarie and Fish Rivers in and around Bathurst plus over 21,000 Murray cod and golden perch by Sofala CAS members into the Turon River catchment all released at NSW DPI Fisheries approved sites with public access.
The native fish from the Tara Native Fish Hatchery were delivered to meeting points by Hatchery Manager Leigh Logan and were transferred from the tanker into oxygenated bags which volunteers to transport to the approved release sites.
The bagged fish were placed into the water to acclimatise temperatures for 15-20 minutes then water from the river is added to the bags before fish are gently released into the river to begin their life in the new surroundings.
