Last October the Friends of the Mongarlowe River received a Threatened Species Network Grant to fund the study of the Macquarie Perch. The Macquarie Perch is an Australian freshwater fish that is listed endangered and in decline throughout most of its former range. The Friends, with the help of the Braidwood Fishing Club and river riparian landowners have since been spotlighting for Perch at various sites along the river. Spotlighting will continue throughout this year.
A Riparian Assessment workshop was given by Rebecca Cole of the Southern Rivers Catchment Authority and a Water Monitoring assessment workshop given by the Fisheries. The Mongarlowe Fire Brigade and Mongarlowe Landcare have also been active in supporting this project.
Last week, with the help of the Braidwood Fishing Club, prime fishing spots were shown to Tony Day of the Department of Industries/ Fisheries for signs to be erected. A couple of Trout signs were included. The Macquarie perch sign explains about the fish with a prominent picture for identification, prompting immediate release if caught.
It encourages lure and/or fly fishing only.
Mark Lintermans, a Macquarie Perch expert, was recently shown sites for inspection to be the spots for Macquarie perch catch and release. Mark has appropriate permits to undertake threatened fish species sampling and will collect samples (fin clips) for genetic analysis. See more at www.artplan.com.au/fmr
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