NSW DPI says it has completed another round of translocating Murray crayfish to help boost the population in the Murray River.
More than 200 Murray crayfish (including adult females with eggs) were moved from an area where they’re abundant to a site downstream in the Murray River which suffered a significant decline in the local population due to blackwater events in 2010-11.
Murray crayfish are a native freshwater species endemic to the Murray-Darling Basin. The world’s second largest freshwater crayfish, they were once widespread throughout the Murray and Murrumbidgee catchments, however have declined in range and distribution and are now listed as “vulnerable” in NSW.
NSW DPI says it uses these translocations as part of the conservation program for Murray crayfish because they have very low dispersal abilities and occupy small home-ranges, which means they struggle to recolonise areas where their population has declined.
The translocation project is being run by DPI and Aquasave – Nature Glenelg Trust with funding from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust.
If you’re keen on targeting Murray crays, an annual open season runs from June to August in prescribed waters of the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers. Murray crayfish cannot be taken outside of the open season. Strict size and bag limits also apply.
For more information: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au
