DUBBO’S Inland Waterways Rejuvenation Association (IWRA) last week completed a huge fingerling release with 36,363 yellowbelly and 18,181 Murray cod stocked into Lake Burrendong and the Macquarie River in western NSW.
This was the volunteer group’s biggest fingerling release since being established in 2008, with some $24,000 worth of native fish sourced through the dollar for dollar restocking program set free into the local waterways.
Last year’s annual fingerling release saw $16,000 worth of fish set free, with the group deciding to increase the numbers significantly for 2014. IWRA’s funds for the fingerlings were raised through the Easter time not-for-profit Lake Burrendong Classic catch and release fishing competition, which saw over 1200 anglers and a prize pool of $50,000 in 2013.
The total number of Murray cod and yellowbelly fingerlings released by IWRA now stands at 164,527, which equates to approximately $82,000 worth of fingerlings. The IWRA also aims to continue its support for other river care projects, including some major re-snagging and habitat based initiatives.
A large group of volunteers braved the heat to help release over 50,000 Murray cod and yellowbelly into waterways in western NSW. The fish were released at Lake Burrendong, Wellington, Dubbo, Narromine and Warren.
Pictured is IWRA committee member David Harris with a bag of over 1,000 Murray cod.
