Anthony Jones from the Joint Indigenous Group, Dr John Conallin from the Edward Wakool Angling Association and Edward Kolety Fishing Challenge committee members John Creenaune and Andrew Jefferies.
Photo by
Dan Hutton
Another 4,000 eel-tailed catfish have been released into local waterways, fulfilling the aims of the groups behind the Edward Kolety Fishing Challenge.
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This time juveniles measuring about 15cm long, they were purposely grown out to this age and length to improve their survival rate, which is about 75 per cent.
The project is an ongoing partnership between Recreational Fishing Trust, NSW Department of Primary Industries Fisheries, the Joint Indigenous Group and Edward Wakool Angling Association, and purchased with funds being raised through the 2024 Fishing Challenge.
Fishing Challenge organiser Andrew Jefferies said release sites included the Billabong Creek at Jerilderie and Conargo, the Edward River in Deniliquin, Merribit Creek near Wakool, Eagle Creek near Barham and some wetlands near Koondrook.
“The juveniles were released across several strategically selected sites to give the species the best chance of surviving long term,” he said.
“Our aim is to hopefully restore the local population to be self-sustaining and breeding locally in larger numbers so it can one day be taken off the endangered species list.
“Together we can make a difference, and I’d like to say a huge thank you to all the sponsors, participants and raffle ticket buyers and anyone that has supported the Fishing Challenge.
“The money we raise is helping make these project possible.”
This was the fourth release of fish into local waterways in two years as a result of the Fishing Challenge, which was established in 2023.
The juvenile catfish before being released.
Photo by
Dan Hutton
Two of the releases have been history making.
In January, 30,000 golden perch fingerlings were purchased and released into the Edward system at three strategic points.
It was the single largest fingerling order received for this area by the NSW Government run Narrandera Fisheries Centre.
The first local release of eel-tailed catfish in June last year was also history making, in that the species has not naturally existed in the system for more than a generation.
It was also believed to be the first community release of catfish into a river system anywhere in NSW.
The new fishing event also funded the release of $4000 in mature Murray cod into the system last year.
The Edward Kolety Fishing Challenge in held in Deniliquin each February.
The catfish in the Edward River before going off to explore their new surroundings.
Photo by
Dan Hutton
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