In a first for NSW, a new breeding population of the endangered Macquarie perch has been established in an Oberon waterway.
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Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said the successful program led by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has boosted Macquarie perch numbers.
“This is the first time that a new breeding population of Macquarie perch has been established in NSW,” Mr Toole said.
DPI Senior Fisheries Manager, Threatened Species, Dr Trevor Daly said the captive bred Macquarie perch were released in a secure location near Oberon after extensive mapping and site surveys.
“The site has 30 kilometres of excellent natural habitat located above a large waterfall that provides a barrier to the invasion of the introduced pest fish redfin perch,” Mr Daly said.
"After undertaking innovative breeding techniques, including the creation of an artificial spawning stream, DPI successfully bred Macquarie perch in captivity – a world first.”
DPI has stocked over 19,000 Macquarie perch into the refuge area.
