One thousand genetically tested and vet-checked Yarra pygmy perch will be released near Hindmarsh Island in the lower reaches of the Murray River today, in an effort to bring the species back from extinction in the Murray-Darling Basin. 

Key points:

  • The species became locally extinct during the Millennium Drought
  • The released fish will spend their first three weeks in enclosures in the river
  • Genetic testing has identified those most likely to survive

The tiny, beautiful and reclusive brown-green fish are being soft released into enclosures built by a team of ecologists, including Sylvia Zukowski of the Nature Glenelg Trust.

They will remain there for three weeks, acclimatising to their new surroundings before being released into the wider world of the lower Murray River.

Dr Zukowski said the fish were first described in this region of the Murray in 2002.

“It was really exciting,” she said.

“We’ve got this beautiful fish out here but unfortunately the Millennium Drought came along in 2008 and they were lost.”

One of the vet-checked fish ready to move to the waters off Hindmarsh Island.(ABC South East SA: Caroline Horn)

Luckily, as water in the lakes and river receded, some were rescued and held in surrogate dams on private properties.

‘Pretty amazing at hiding’

Careful nurturing and breeding have kept the species alive, and it’s hoped this release will re-establish their presence in the river.

“Fingers crossed they’ll do really well out in the areas where we’re releasing them because there is a lot of vegetation out there,” Dr Zukowski said.

Dr Sylvia Zukowski with some of the fish to be released.(ABC South East SA: Caroline Horn)

“They haven’t been found in the wild here for a long time and to be able to bring this species back basically from extinction in the Murray-Darling Basin is pretty amazing.

“These guys are pretty amazing at hiding so they’ll find some vegetation and they’ll hide, and they’ll use that to keep away from predators.”

A huge team effort

Dr Zukowski said multiple organisations had been involved in the project, including both Adelaide and Flinders universities and the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, with the help of volunteers from communities and schools.

“A lot of work and a lot of different partners have been part of this,” she said.

The fish will spend three weeks in their enclosures before being released into the open waters of the river.(Supplied: Nature Glenelg Trust)

Genetic testing was carried out on the fish to ensure those being released were the most resilient and likely to survive, and they were all vet checked before getting the all-clear to move to their new home.

Dr Zukowski said the vet check was part of their permit requirements.

“You can’t just go releasing fish here, there and everywhere,” she said.

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