THE Sofala Branch of the Central Acclimatisation Society recently stocked Murray cod and golden perch fingerlings into the Turon River in NSW.
Fingerlings were delivered by Tara Native Fish Hatchery manager Leigh Logan and volunteers reported that they were exceptional quality fish. The fish were delivered in tanks with Leigh providing instruction, putting water in bags, adding fish before a charge of oxygen and tying bags which was carried out smoothly by the Sofala CAS members before loading onto vehicles and heading off to release sites.
The Turon River had a good flow thanks to a recent pulse coming down last Wednesday morning providing excellent conditions for the restocking event which saw around 8522 Murray cod and 6818 Golden perch released into 13 NSW DPI approved stocking sites ranging from upstream of Sofala down to the lower Turon below Hill End by Sofala CAS volunteers.
The dollar for dollar restocking program has proven successful in the Central West streams with annual native fish restocking carried out by CAS and other participating organisations providing good recreational fishing. The recent initiative by NSW DPI to fund the scheme with $2 for every $1 raised by clubs is fantastic for the recovery of native fish, boosting stocks after the drought.
Well done to the Tara Hatchery, NSW DPI Fisheries & Sofala CAS volunteers for their efforts
