Home / Projects / Fish Emergency Recovery / Nichols Point, Mildura VIC

Nichols point fish rescue and relocation

Volunteers from OzFish Unlimited have teamed up with students from the Sunraysia Institute of TAFE to save critically endangered native fish that were in desperate need to be relocated.

Upon the routine maintenance of the local culverts, which lowers the water levels, concerned community members found large amounts of trapped fish which had been sucked up from nearby irrigation pumps. In looking to rescue the fish, OzFish put out the call for their volunteers to head on down and help scoop the fish from the water and transport them to the nearby Kings Billabong.

The team successfully translocated 67 native fish species, which included the eel-tailed catfish, golden perch, murray cod and silver perch.

Donate to OzFish today to help projects like this one.

DONATE NOW

The native fish were captured utilizing fish nets and transported in 1,000 litre water tanks fitted with aerators and bilge pumps to Kings Billabong Park, which is approximately 2-3km from the concrete drain’s sites.

The team successfully translocated 67 native fish species, which included the eel-tailed catfish, golden perch, murray cod and silver perch. These nationally important native fish were once widespread and abundant throughout most of the Murray Darling Basin; however, they have now declined to very low numbers and have disappeared from much of their native range.

A great learning experience for all involved.

OzFish Unlimited Project Manager for the Murray Darling Basin, Braeden Lampard, said these fish “faced an imminent threat in the channels and the translocations to the more favourable habitats will enhance existing stocks and benefit future generations of Australian fishers”.

“It is so great to have like-minded community members willing’s to drop everything and get their hands dirty for the survival of local fish populations”, said Braedon.

This project is just another way OzFish and their regional chapters are empowering locals to work towards a healthier environment.

OzFish would like to thank students from the Sunraysia Institute of TAFE, the Victorian Fisheries Authority, Lower Murray Water, our great partner BCF and the Australian Government Murray–Darling Basin Economic Development Program – without your support, this fantastic work does not happen.

OzFish would like to thank students from the Sunraysia Institute of TAFE, the Victorian Fisheries Authority, Lower Murray Water, our great partner BCF and the Australian Government Murray–Darling Basin Economic Development Program - without your support, this fantastic work does not happen.