New funds for fish Namoi River fish stocks

Waterways across North West NSW will be among those to benefit from an influx of native sportfish over coming months through the ‘Two-Dollar-for-One-Dollar’ Native Fish Stocking program.

About $500,000 in funds from the Recreational Fishing Trust has been allocated to the community-based program for the 2024-25 season.

Among the local beneficiaries for Murray Cod/Golden Perch fish stocks are Boggabri RSL Fishing Club – Namoi ($4000), Coonabarabran Fishing Club – Castlereagh ($2000), Manilla Fishing Club & Hatchery Inc – Keepit Dam, Split Rock Dam ($12,000), Narrabri Amateur Fishing Club – Namoi ($12,000), Quirindi Fishing Club Inc – Quirindi Creek, Jacob and Joseph Creek, Mooki River ($4000), Wee Waa Fishing Club – Namoi ($8000) and Pilliga Fishing Club – Namoi ($4000).

NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development acting executive director fisheries Peter Turnell said funds are available on a two-dollar for one-dollar basis, where applicants will receive two dollars for every one dollar they spend on stocking high priority native sportfish, including Australian Bass, Golden Perch and Murray Cod.

“Fish are supplied to local groups by the NSW commercial fish hatchery sector, which complies with strict measures to ensure the highest quality production, fish health and genetic standards.

“Approximately 75 groups, including fishing clubs, local councils and other community organisations, participate in the program each year. Collectively, these groups have released more than 15 million native fish into waterways across NSW since the program commenced in the late 1990s.”

Mr Turnell said the community stocking program has been operating for 26 years and is a great example of how fishing licences fees are invested back into recreational fishing in NSW through the Recreational Fishing Trust.

“In addition to boosting our recreational fisheries, native fish stocking also provides environmental, social, cultural and economic benefits across the state,” he said.

Fish stocking involves producing fish fry or fingerlings and releasing them into dams or river systems. All fish stocking in NSW is carefully managed for sustainability.

Murray Cod and Golden Perch are found throughout the Murray Darling River system including flowing rivers, creeks and backwaters.