The Turon River has received a new batch of native fish on the back of faciliatory efforts from the Sofala branch of the Central Acclimatisation Society [CAS].
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On Saturday, January 9, Sofala CAS members released 9090 Murray cod and 6060 golden perch into the Turon River in order to help grow native fish populations and improve the river's habitat.
Sofala CAS secretary Colin Gordon said the fish were purchased for $12,000, with the funding secured from various sources.
"The native fish were purchased from Murray Cod Australia in Griffith with money raised at the Sofala Carp Blitz, as well as matching funding of $6000 from the NSW Department of Primary Industries' [DPI] Fisheries organisation via the Dollar For Dollar Native Fish Stocking Program," Mr Gordon said.
"The matching funding comes from the Recreational Freshwater Fishing Trust funded from the sale of NSW recreational fishing licences."
Mr Gordon said there was approximately 500 fish per bag, and were released at a host of DPI approved sites along the Turon.
"The fish were transported by road from the Griffith hatchery in oxygenated bags to Sofala where local volunteers loaded the fish and transported them to designated DPI approved release sites, ranging from the third crossing above Sofala down to the Bridle Track below Hill End," he said.
Mr Gordon said the recent release of fish will help repopulate the Turon over the next few years and create further fishing opportunities for anglers.
"Scientific research has shown the Murray cod should grow to a length of just over 500 millimetres over the next five years, where they will be mature enough to reproduce," he said.
"The minimum length for anglers to be in possession of a Murray cod is 550 millimetres with a maximum daily limit of two fish between 550 and 750 millimetres, with any fish outside the slot limit to be released unharmed."
"We'd like to thank all anglers who attend the Sofala Carp Blitz and the many organisations who sponsor the event."
