Murray cod and golden perch for NSW dams and lakes...

Ministerial Press Release...

December 7, 2001

The NSW Government will release up to two million native fish into major dams and lakes in western NSW over the next three months, the Minister for Fisheries, Eddie Obeid said today.

Mr Obeid said the first stage of the release begins today with the release of 178,000 Murray cod fry and 200,000 golden perch fry into dams and lakes in south western and central NSW.

"This is good news for anglers in western NSW. It's part of the NSW Government's ongoing fish stocking program and our commitment to ensure better recreational fishing in freshwater areas," Mr Obeid said.

"Funds for this important program are provided by the recreational fishing licence."

Over the next two weeks NSW Fisheries staff will release:

100,000 golden perch fry into Burrinjuck Dam (Yass)

50,000 Murray cod fry into Blowering Dam (Tumut)

40,000 Murray cod fry into Burrendong Dam (Wellington)

30,000 Murray cod fry into Windamere Dam (Mudgee)

20,000 golden perch fry and 10,000 Murray cod fry into Wyangan Lake (Cowra)

20,000 golden perch fry and 10,000 Murray cod fry into Lake Albert (Wagga Wagga)

20,000 golden perch fry and 10,000 Murray cod fry into Mannus Lake (Tumbarumba)

20,000 golden perch fry and 10,000 Murray cod fry into Centenary Lake (Temora)

10,000 golden perch fry and 10,000 Murray cod fry into Yanga Lake (Balranald)

6000 golden perch fry and 4000 Murray cod fry into Wagga Wagga Lagoon (Wagga Wagga)

4000 golden perch fry and 4000 Murray cod fry into Jerilderie Weir (Jerilderie)
Mr Obeid said in addition to the release of Murray cod and golden perch, NSW Fisheries will also release 80,000 trout cod fry into the Murrumbidgee River (35,000) and Macquarie River (45,000) as part of an ongoing conservation stocking program for this threatened species.

The Murray cod, golden perch and trout cod fry were bred at the NSW Government's Narrandera Fisheries Centre.

"The Centre reports it's had an excellent breeding season and estimate they'll have at least 20 per cent more Murray cod fry than expected."

"I'd like to thank local fishing clubs and communities for helping NSW Fisheries staff in releasing these fry," Mr Obeid said.

"I'd like to thank the fishing clubs for their continuing support of this important fish stocking program, which is boosted by the recreational fishing fee."

Mr Obeid said he had recently announced nearly $2 million had been allocated by the freshwater angler expenditure committee for a series of projects funded by recreational fishers via their licence fees.

This includes $500,000 to continue the statewide freshwater fish stocking program, including $200,000 for the successful community dollar-for-dollar stocking scheme.

Further Information can be found here