The Friends of The Mongarlowe River recently received a Threatened Species Network Community Grant for $11,400 (one of only three recipients in NSW) and will use the funds to 'Protect Mongarlowe River Macquarie Perch and its Habitat'.
FMR are delighted with the outcome as it will enable them to employ Mark Lintermans, an expert on Macquarie Perch, to monitor stock in the Mongarlowe River in order to determine numbers and population health. Grant funds will also be used to train up FMR members in habitat assessment.
An important part of the project will be to involve the community and extend awareness of the precarious status of the Macquarie Perch. Appropriate signage is also a priority.
FMR are hoping to tap into local 'Mac Perch' knowledge and look forward to involve keen fishers in the project.
Local and ACT numbers of Macquarie Perch are very low and dropping so a healthy population in the Mongarlowe River would be a real discovery.
Contributed by Harry Laing
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