Over 20,000 trout cod were recently released into the Macquarie River at three locations downstream of Bathurst. Members of the Central Acclimatisation Society and local landholders assisted NSW DPI Fisheries staff release the trout cod fry that were bred at the Narrandera Fisheries Centre for the Trout Cod Recovery program funded by Recreational Freshwater Fishing Trust (RFFTEC).
Trout cod are listed as an endangered species under both NSW and Commonwealth law and there are heavy penalties for harming or possessing them. The aim of the recovery plan is to promote the recovery of the species to a position of viability within the range of their natural distribution, as well as raising community awareness, involvement and support for the recovery of trout cod. It is currently illegal to target trout cod while fishing, and if accidently caught they should be immediately and carefully released.
The re-establishment stocking of captive bred trout cod aims to promote a sustainable population of the species in the upper Macquarie River above Burrendong Dam.
Trout cod were originally discovered in the upper Macquarie River and were once widespread throughout southern tributaries of the Murray-Darling river system, but the species has undergone a dramatic decline in distribution and abundance over the past century. The re-establishment stocking of captive bred trout cod aims to promote a sustainable population of the species in the upper Macquarie River above Burrendong Dam. The recovery program in the Macquarie River below Bathurst began in 2009 and has seen 115,000 trout cod released into the river. The program follows on the successful stocking into the mid-Murrumbidgee around Wagga Wagga where there are now signs of natural recruitment from stocked fish. There were 369,000 trout cod stocked in that program and there is a long way to go in the upper Macquarie program to match the Murrumbidgee in terms of numbers and success. Several trout cod from previous release events in the Macquarie River have been accidently captured by anglers while fishing for Murray cod and reported to the NSW DPI Threatened Species Unit. If anglers catch or see a trout cod they are encouraged to report sightings and record the details including your name and address, date and exact location, and the estimated length of the fish. It is best to keep the fish in the water while removing hooks. If they are hooked deep in the mouth, simply cut the line and leave the hook, which will rust away in a short time. This will optimise the chance of the fish surviving. Information can be sent by phone to the 24 hour reporting line (02) 4916 3877 or by Email to fisheries.threatenedspecies@dpi.nsw.gov.au or http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/species-protection/report-it
Habitat degradation, changes in water quality associated with agriculture and other land uses and sedimentation caused by clearing, modification of natural river flows by water extraction along with competition from introduced fish species such as redfin perch, carp and gambusia are some of the causes of the decline in native fish. Casuarina Gallery Forest once dominated the banks of the Macquarie River in Bathurst providing habitat for a range of native bird, animal and aquatic species. By 1902 most of these forests had been cleared resulting in the destabilisation of river banks.
Central Branch of the Acclimatisation Society along with Oberon & Sofala branches also restock local rivers to enhance recreational fishing opportunities with Murray cod and golden perch to be released into the Fish and Turon Rivers early in 2015 with Dollar for Dollar native fish stocking program funding from the Freshwater Recreational Fishing Trust Funds.
How to tell trout cod from Murray Cod.
