At Yarrawonga main channel are Jackson Lamin from Austral Research and Consulting, Alex Gattuso from G-MW, Dean Nye from G-MW, and Dan Vairo from Austral Research and Consulting.
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Recent electrofishing work across Goulburn-Murray Water irrigation channels is helping deliver more native fish to the Arcadia fish hatchery, supporting long-term fish recovery across northern Victoria’s waterways.
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The operation, carried out in channels at Cobram East and along the Shepparton side of Broken Creek, has seen Murray cod and golden perch collected and relocated for breeding and restocking programs.
The electrofishing process involves sending a low electrical current through the water, temporarily stunning fish so they can be safely collected and returned to the water system or transferred to hatcheries.
G-MW has partnered with the Victorian Fisheries Authority for several years, allowing controlled access to irrigation channels to recover valuable native fish that might otherwise be lost from the system.
G-MW general manager of water delivery services Warren Blyth said the collaboration continued to deliver strong environmental and community outcomes.
“It’s fantastic to keep working alongside the VFA to support native fish populations,” Mr Blyth said.
“This builds on last year’s channel dewatering campaign during the irrigation off-season, which helped relocate more than 50 Murray cod and golden perch to the Arcadia hatchery.”
This Murray cod will be used in the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s future breeding program at Arcadia. Photo: Victorian Fisheries Authority.
The latest electrofishing efforts will help strengthen brood stock at the recently expanded Arcadia hatchery, playing a key role in restocking rivers and creeks across the region.
VFA chief executive officer Travis Dowling said irrigation channels were proving to be an important source of breeding fish.
“These channels provide valuable native fish for our breeding programs, including Murray cod and golden perch,” Mr Dowling said.
“Some of the relocated fish will also be released into public waterways, including the popular Fish Out Pond at Arcadia, giving local anglers a chance to enjoy these iconic species.”
G-MW and VFA said they would continue working together to recover and protect native fish from the irrigation channel network, supporting healthier waterways for future generations.
