Bringing back the Eastern Freshwater Cod

The Eastern Freshwater Cod (Maccullochella ikei), once abundant throughout the Clarence and Richmond River catchments, is now one of Australia’s most endangered native fish.

Their population decline is thanks to centuries of riparian clearing, de-snagging, mining, illegal fishing and unsustainable land use. Today, wild populations remain only in fragmented parts of the Clarence, Nymboida, and Mann Rivers.

But the cod’s story isn’t over.

Through targeted habitat restoration, strategic fingerling releases, and strong community collaboration, OzFish is spearheading a regional recovery program that gives the cod and our rivers a fighting chance.

Bigger than one fish

These efforts aren’t just about one fish. This is about restoring entire river systems from the roots up.
Thanks to community planting days, citizen science surveys, and strategic fingerling releases, OzFish is working with partners and landholders to turn priority sub-catchments like the Upper Wilsons River into blueprints for long-term fish recovery.

The goal? A self-sustaining Eastern Freshwater Cod population thriving in cool, clean waters alongside the rich biodiversity that healthy rivers support.

These are a waterway’s top predators and powerful indicators of river health. Like platypus and rakali, their presence tells us that a river system is functioning well, with deep refuge pools, good water quality, and intact riparian vegetation.

Cod needs habitat

Despite decades of restocking efforts, Eastern Cod numbers remain low because fingerlings can’t survive in broken rivers. Without healthy habitat, restocking is only a temporary fix.

Cod rely on complex habitats that include snags, root balls, shaded banks and boulder-strewn pools. Their absence signals decades of degradation, land clearing, sedimentation, and habitat destruction. Bringing back the cod is about rebuilding that complexity, step by step.

That’s where OzFish and this project come in. We’re not just putting fish in the water. We’re rebuilding the system they need to survive.

From erosion control to nesting boxes, this program is designed to give stocked fish the best chance of survival and reproduction in ways that will help the ecosystem heal with them.

Habitat mapping and waterway assessment

Before you can restore a river, you have to understand it. That’s why our team has already completed detailed in-stream habitat mapping across the region. This vital data allows us to prioritise key areas for restoration and ensures fingerlings are released in locations where they have the best chance of survival.

Working with OzFish scientists and local volunteers, we’ve assessed deep refuge pools, snags and woody debris, shading and riparian conditions, bank stability and erosion risks, and overall habitat complexity. These have helped us to build a clear picture of where cod recovery efforts will have the most significant impact.

Where we’re working

We’re restoring priority Eastern Freshwater Cod habitat throughout the Clarence and Richmond catchments, focusing on areas with the highest potential for long-term recovery. In the Richmond river catchment, we’re working in the Upper Wilsons River, Upper Coopers Creek and Rocky Creek.

The outcomes are designed to create cool, upland streams ideal for cod reintroduction. In the Clarence catchment, efforts are underway along the Orara, Nymboida, Mann, and Upper Clarence Rivers, where remnant populations still hold on, and the opportunity for broader recovery is strong.

A community-led recovery

Lasting river change happens when communities lead it.

That’s why OzFish works closely with landholders, Traditional Owners, Landcare members, and recreational fishers across the Richmond, Clarence, Tweed, and Coffs catchments.

Our community planting days, restocking events, and citizen science surveys build habitat and community stewardship. We’re training locals to assess deep pools, map habitat features, and monitor native species. People are starting to see the Eastern Cod not as a relic of the past but as a symbol of what our rivers can become again.

A blueprint for the future

This is only the beginning. Building on our current efforts, we’re planning a wide range of activities to support long-term cod recovery and healthier rivers. These include targeted riparian planting and erosion control, the removal of fish passage barriers, and the installation of complex habitat structures such as snags, root balls, and cod lodges.

We’ll continue community-led science and water quality monitoring, release fingerlings at carefully mapped high-potential sites, and work closely with Traditional Owners to ensure outcomes are meaningful and on-Country. Education and engagement events across the catchments will further build community stewardship and support for the recovery journey.

And when rivers are restored for cod, everyone benefits

Landholders gain more stable riverbanks, anglers enjoy healthier and more abundant fisheries, and communities benefit from cleaner water and revitalised ecosystems. Wildlife thrives with the return of critical habitat, and entire catchments become more resilient to floods and environmental pressures. Best of all, future generations may once again have the chance to catch a native cod in rivers where they haven’t swum for over a century.

How you can help

• Own land along these rivers or creeks? Get in touch because your property could be a key link in cod recovery.
• Volunteer at our next planting or science day.
• Join your local OzFish Chapter and be part of the change.
• Donate to help us install habitat and remove barriers to bringing back the cod.
• Share this story and be an advocate for native fish and river health.