Photo credit: Luke Pearce
The Southern pygmy perch (Nannoperca australis) is a small, deep bodied native fish that grows to a maximum size of 85mm. Once abundant across the state, the species has suffered major population declines and is now only found in three broad locations in NSW.
Volunteers from OzFish, Gunning District Landcare, and Dalton Community Association, as well as local landholders have been working alongside NSW DPI Fisheries to identify what on-ground works are required. The groups are also being supported by Associate Professor Mark Lintermans from the University of Canberra.
The first stage of the project will control invasive woody weeds, such as crack willow, blackberry, and white poplar, which are negatively impacting the waterway habitat, along a 2km stretch of the creek from the Gary Cosgrove bridge.
As the name suggests, Southern Pygmy Perch are small in stature but they are in danger of disappearing altogether so OzFish Unlimited and Landcare NSW are embarking on a collaborative project to help restore their numbers.
