The Macquarie River/Wambuul is set to thrive, with the release of around 50,000 native Golden Perch fingerlings in Dubbo, Warren, Narromine and Gin Gin this week as part of the Native Fish Recovery Strategy. 

The release of the fingerlings could mark a change in tide for the river, after an inundation of rain in 2020 saw tens of thousands of fish killed near Dubbo, where sediment washed into the river caused the rapid drop of oxygen levels in the water.

The newly released young fish have been bred from what were merely puddles of fish that were saved during the floods of 2019. 

Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said it’s an exciting event to see the population build and the river on its way to replenishment. 

“They’re probably eight weeks old…so they’re a bit of bait for other fish in there as well. We hope that a lot of them get away…they’ll hopefully be making it a home and breeding their own progeny in years to come,” Mr Saunders said. 

Matt Hansen from Inland Waterways Oz Fish says it’s a relief to see the native population with a second chance. 

“This was an insurance population that we got out when it was absolutely situation critical. There was fish older than me rolling over in really dry conditions,” Mr Hansen said. 

“Genetically it's really important because they are Macquarie strain fish,” he said. 

After being rescued in 2019, the fish were successfully bred at the purpose built Narrandera Fisheries Centre.

Mr Saunders said fish stocking events like these play an important role in the life and longevity of the Murray-Darling Basin and will ensure its beauty can be enjoyed for years to come. 

“The Basin has more than 60 fish species, including freshwater, estuarine and those that move between the river and the sea – most of these species are unique to Australia and are only found in the Basin,” Mr Saunders said.  

“The Native Fish Recovery Strategy recognises the importance of these populations and how stocking activities can enhance them, while also providing great fishing opportunities for anglers.” 

Mr Hansen said fishers and water managers understand that native fish are part of a larger system and work needs to be done to protect these species. 

“As one of the main inland rivers in NSW, the Macquarie River is an important home for these fish and a very popular place to wet a line, as far as thousands of anglers are concerned,” Mr Hansen said.