Abstract
During 2022–24, fisheries scientists investigated the response of native fish to flows in the lower Darling-Baaka River. This project continued on from monitoring in previous years. It aimed to assess:
the status and recovery of fish populations after the 2018–19 and 2023 fish death events
the role of the Menindee Lakes as a nursery for golden perch
whether golden perch migrate upstream from the Menindee Lakes into the Barwon-Darling system
the contribution of Darling River golden perch to populations in the Murray River.
The report presents monitoring data and key findings, including:
the Murray cod population in the lower Darling-Baaka has not recovered from fish death events in 2018–19 and 2023.
it is likely that small-bodied native fish have also been impacted and not recovered from these fish death events.
golden perch populations can operate over vast spatial scales. For example, data shows that many golden perch collected in the Murray River system came from the Darling River and the northern Basin. Some fish even travelled as far upstream as Torrumbarry Weir, a distance of over 2,900 km, by age 2.5 years!
The report also recommends management actions to conserve and recover native fish communities. Priority recommendations include:
Implement annual fish recovery hydrographs to support the Murray cod population by promoting breeding, recruitment, and survival of juvenile fish.
Facilitate outmigration of juvenile golden perch from the Menindee Lakes.
Provide connectivity and protection of northern basin inflows.
Develop and implement a golden perch management plan.
Improve fish passage.
Multi-year monitoring means we can examine native fish responses to flow under a variety of conditions. It also allows us to determine where fish are moving within and across systems. This helps inform better delivery of water for the environment. The outcomes from this project will now be important for the ongoing recovery of native fish populations in the lower Darling-Baaka and beyond.
the status and recovery of fish populations after the 2018–19 and 2023 fish death events
the role of the Menindee Lakes as a nursery for golden perch
whether golden perch migrate upstream from the Menindee Lakes into the Barwon-Darling system
the contribution of Darling River golden perch to populations in the Murray River.
The report presents monitoring data and key findings, including:
the Murray cod population in the lower Darling-Baaka has not recovered from fish death events in 2018–19 and 2023.
it is likely that small-bodied native fish have also been impacted and not recovered from these fish death events.
golden perch populations can operate over vast spatial scales. For example, data shows that many golden perch collected in the Murray River system came from the Darling River and the northern Basin. Some fish even travelled as far upstream as Torrumbarry Weir, a distance of over 2,900 km, by age 2.5 years!
The report also recommends management actions to conserve and recover native fish communities. Priority recommendations include:
Implement annual fish recovery hydrographs to support the Murray cod population by promoting breeding, recruitment, and survival of juvenile fish.
Facilitate outmigration of juvenile golden perch from the Menindee Lakes.
Provide connectivity and protection of northern basin inflows.
Develop and implement a golden perch management plan.
Improve fish passage.
Multi-year monitoring means we can examine native fish responses to flow under a variety of conditions. It also allows us to determine where fish are moving within and across systems. This helps inform better delivery of water for the environment. The outcomes from this project will now be important for the ongoing recovery of native fish populations in the lower Darling-Baaka and beyond.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Place of Publication | NSW, Australia |
| Publisher | Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water |
| Commissioning body | Australian Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder |
| Number of pages | 62 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-1-76058-828-1 |
| Publication status | Published - Sept 2024 |