WEEKS after starting search efforts to retrieve stressed fish in the deoxygenated waters of the Murray River, rescue teams hope a decline in sightings means conditions are starting to improve.
OzFish Unlimited Murray Darling Basin manager Braeden Lampard said less fish had been collected in recent weeks downstream of Boundary Bend.
“We’ve been collecting minimal species over the past two weeks,” Mr Lampard said.
He said while OzFish teams were not collecting water data, the decline was a “sure sign” the situation had improved.
“When that stops, it’s a good thing,” he said.
The rescue teams have spent three days a week searching the river for stressed native fish and Murray Crayfish after oxygen levels in the Murray River hit critical levels last month.
More than 1000 Murray Crayfish have been rescued from various locations along the Murray River, including Swan Hill, Torrumbarry, Barham and Echuca, in combined efforts between NSW DPI Fisheries and OzFish volunteers.
Mr Lampard said a lot of people had got in touch to help, and praised the community spirit of volunteers who had come together for a good cause.
“It’s good to see people care,” he said. “Some volunteers have never gone out to catch crayfish.
“It may not be important to them, but they can see that its important to the environment and other people.”
Several crayfish, which were held in tanks at sites in Narrandera, Albury and Mildura have now been reintroduced to the Murray River upstream of Torrumbarry Weir, according to an ABC News report.
The decision was made to merge the genetic material of the collected fish with other crayfish, according to NSW Department of Fisheries.
Mr Lampard said fish collected and held by OzFish would be returned to the sites from which they were collected.
He said he hoped this would happen early in 2023.
Mr Lampard said volunteers would continue search and rescue efforts until the end of the year.
