The species’ decline is thought to be from loss of permanent floodplain wetlands, altered flows, loss of aquatic vegetation, climate change and the impact of introduced fish species.
The southern pygmy perch was last recorded in Gunbower Forest in 1997.
The North Central Catchment Management Authority, through its Native Fish Recovery Plan, has combined with DEECA’s Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI), the Victorian Government’s Nature Fund, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s Native Fish Recovery Strategy and fish conservation groups to help ‘genetically rescue’ the species.
More than 2800 of the fish were released into Camerons Creek in Gunbower Forest with help from First Nations people from the Yorta Yorta Nation’s Aboriginal Corporation Woka Walla.
North Central CMA project manager Peter Rose said the fish were bred in dams and wetlands around Bendigo.
“This was our largest release into a wild site to date,” Dr Rose said.
“They were released just before breeding, so the young would grow up in their new habitat and adapt well.
“The stocking approach was guided by a population model developed by the ARI, and using this approach has really paid off.”
A survey in December discovered 44 southern pygmy perch and six younger fish (recruits).
“That may not sound like a lot, but it is, considering the site,” Dr Rose said.
“It shows they have successfully bred in Camerons Creek and there is a good chance tens of thousands of them will establish there.
“It also shows how important collaboration is in finding solutions to biodiversity crises, especially in a changing climate.”
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