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Garlic Farm Bushfire Recovery – saving the purple spotted gudgeon in Tenterfield Creek

At the end of 2019, bushfires ravaged the Tenterfield area and a following rain event saw chemical, ash and sediment impact the water quality of Tenterfield Creek damaging the habitat of the southern purple spotted gudgeon.

OzFish Unlimited and Landcare Australia through the Landcare Australia Aquatic Wildlife Habitat Bushfire Program, were able to return this precious habitat and water quality issue back to a healthy functioning ecosystem.

1,900 trees

shrubs and grasses planted

1.5 kms

of riparian zone restored

8,000 juvenile

southern purple-spotted gudgeon re-stocked

Looking out for the little locals

OzFish’s Northern Tablelands Chapter are looking out for the endangered southern purple spotted gudgeon (Mogurnda adspersa).

Even though these small fish aren’t a recreationally caught species, OzFishers are protecting a local population of this important species and are set on revitalising their habitat.

Purple Spotted Gudgeons are small (~15cm) and robust with a rounded head, a relatively small mouth and a rounded tail. They are generally dark chocolate in colour along the back, fading to pale fawn on the belly, with a number of distinguishing markings. These include black to grey patches on the sides, which are surrounded by numerous white and red spots that brighten during breeding. The fins are yellow in colour, darkening towards the extremities.

Local Landowners join the recovery

Tenterfield Creek is one of the key creeks that the threatened fish, the purple spotted gudgeon calls home. Local landowners, Steve and Rosie Scott are very enthusiastic when it comes to restoring the creek back to healthy functioning system

With 750m of Tenterfield Creek passing through Garlic farm, over 1900 native grasses and trees have been planted to help stop erosion, filter water, provide insect fall and to eventually provide shade to the creatures of the creek.

“We are so happy to link up with OzFish and see the creek being restored, Rosie and I have been talking to other landholders and starting conversations about linking more sections of the creek,” said Scott.

OUR WATERWAYS NEED YOUR HELP!

OzFish is calling upon all existing Chapters and Landcare NSW groups affected by bushfires, as well as any community members interested in making a positive contribution to their local waterways.

Saving the southern purple gudgeon by planting trees

With the efforts of dedicated volunteers, the planted sections are starting to provide the habitat and cover essential for species to return and thrive.

The results are already speaking for themselves with multiple species of fauna being seen on monitoring days including platypus that have not been seen here since the 2011 floods.

OzFish Northern Tablelands Chapter Executive Harry Davey said,

“it is a gift to see the platypus turn up after all this time, watching cormorants dive and surface with yabbies, also the fact that the NSW Department of Primary Industries Threatened Species Unit chose Tenterfield Creek as one of the sites to re-stock 8000 juvenile southern purple spotted gudgeon makes it all worthwhile”.

Did you know fish need trees? Up to 40% of a freshwater fish’s diet comes from insect fall out of trees!

Learn more about Trees For Fish

Mighty Murray Cod Making a Fightback

With plenty of flows this year the waterway is looking fantastic for future Murray Cod breeding seasons. The site was home to a healthy population of Murray Cod before the fires and early signs are promising with cod seen snapping on the surface in the early mornings.

There is still a lot more work to do over the next three years Steve and Rosie Scott are very optimistic for the future of the creek with plans to purchase more creek frontage to bring this beautiful creek back to what it once was, perfect Southern purple spotted gudgeon habitat.

Latest News on Purple Spotted Gudgeon

2 FEBRUARY 2022 | OzFish to Help Save the Purple Spotted Gudgeon in Tenterfield Creek

OzFish Unlimited, Australia’s leading fishing conservation movement, is set to embark on a habitat restoration project that will see 1.5km of creek revamped for the Purple Spotted Gudgeon. Following the 2019/20 bushfires that ravaged the Tenterfield area, the Southern Purple Spotted Gudgeon suffered from damaged habitat and low water quality. In looking to do something about it, OzFish teamed up with Landcare Australia through the Restoring Fish Habitat in Bushfire Affected Areas project to turn the precious habitat into a healthy and functioning ecosystem.

Find Out More

The Landcare Australia Aquatic Wildlife Habitat Bushfire Program is funded by the Australian Government’s Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery program.