Tumut River Threatened Fishes Project
Restoring and supporting critical freshwater habitats and threatened native fish in the Tumut River catchment.
Installation
of 100 custom designed spawning structures for the endangered two-spined blackfish.
Restoration
of multiple degraded sites within Adjungbilly Creek to support Macquarie perch habitat.
Development
of two wetland refuge sites for potential reintroduction of the southern pygmy perch.
Threatened fish species are at risk.
The Tumut River catchment and its tributaries are home to several of Australia’s near-threatened and endangered fish species, including:
- Macquarie perch,
- Southern pygmy perch,
- Two-spined blackfish.
Work is now underway to restore habitat for these species, and improve river health, to prevent further declines in these native fish populations.
What is being done?
Waterway habitat works include rocky reef installations, willow removal, fish habitat motels, native vegetation planting and invasive weed removal.
Species-specific actions such as creating wetland refuge sites, installing custom spawning structures, and site-specific habitat restoration will continue with on-ground support from community members and project partners.
Long-term community engagement.
OzFish is working in collaboration with Traditional Owners, community and industry groups to build long-term community action as part of this project.
The OzFish River Repair Bus team will continue to coordinate project work and run educational fish forums designed to empower community members to maintain habitat for our native fish.
Our partners for this project include the NSW DPI Fisheries Threatened Species Unit, Riverina-Highlands Landcare Group, Brungle-Tumut Local Aboriginal Landcare Council, Boys to the Bush youth program, and local recreational fishers and volunteers.
How you can help.
We are calling for community members and fishers to help us restore habitat and monitor sites along the Tumut River catchment.
Community workshops and working bees are available so you get can get involved and learn along the way.
If you’d like to be part of this project, come along to one of our project events or fish talks in the region, or join as an OzFish member to support our work and get involved.
Get involved and be part of the solution.
Project news
Tumut Fish Talks draws a crowd for river health
This project was funded by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) through the Tumut River works program and supported by BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing.
