250,000 fish for the Murray
We're saying thanks in a very fishy way!
As Australia’s number one green energy provider, we’re proud to have more customers choosing green energy than any other retailer.
To celebrate our quarter of a million green energy customer milestone, we’re joining forces with the community, Landcare and the Lower Murray-Darling Catchment Management Authority (LMD CMA) to release 250,000 native fish back into the Murray-Darling Basin.
By supporting such a worthy cause, we hope to show you, our customers, that we’re committed to helping create a sustainable future in a very real and meaningful way.
Why did Origin choose to help the Murray-Darling Basin?
The Murray - Darling Basin is renowned as Australia’s food bowl. It is by far the most significant agricultural area in the country and supports more than 2 million people, producing 40 percent of the nation's food.In recent times, the Murray Darling's native fish populations have fallen alarmingly to around 10 percent of their original numbers prior to European settlement due to over fishing.
Reintroducing native fish including Murray Cod and Golden Perch into the river system will reduce the impact of invasive pest species like the European Carp, protect natural fish habitats and improve native fish populations manage riverine structures.
Origin’s initiative is not only symbolic but vital to assist in restoring the ecological balance for generations to come.
What type of fish will be released?
Murray Cod and Golden Perch have been selected by the Lower Murray-Darling CMA - as the most suitable native fish to release into the river system.Murray Cod grow quickly, are hardy and long lived. Their large mouth gape, coupled with the fact they dwell in deep holes along the river, help improve their chances of surviving in the river.
Golden Perch are also hardy fish, largely due to the fact they are carnivorous and eat the baby Carp that breed during the planned early 2008 release period.
How does the fish release work?
Right at this moment, 250,000 native fishlings are being bred at the Murray-Darling Fisheries in Narrandera, New South Wales, in a licensed endemic hatchery.Once the fish are grown to a size that maximizes their chance of surviving (approximately 60mm), they will be released at key locations along the Murray and Lower Darling Rivers via large hoses attached to tanks on trucks.
Where will the fish be released?
The fish will be released into the Lower Murray-Darling catchment at a number of locations in in early 2008; an optimal time due to seasonal river ‘flows’ condition being aligned to the natural spawning and growth of the species.The fish will be released in the Murray and Lower Darling Rivers which covers 6.3 million hectares. Within the LMD CMA the Murray River runs for 598 kms while the Lower Darling River (below Menindee) runs for 530 kms, a total of 1128 kms. At the end of the fish release, there will be approximately 157 fish per km of this system in the LMD catchment.
Whilst key locations are still being confirmed, some possible sites include Wentworth, Pemona, Pooncarie, Robinvale and Mildura.
Will the drought have an impact on the fish release?
Extensive studies and previous work undertaken by the Lower Murray-Darling CMA confirms that the drought will not have an impact on the release and survivability of the fish.Research shows that fish adapt well to drought and that the 60mm fingerlings being released will have a high chance of survival.
What are the positive impacts of this release?
The Lower Murray-Darling CMA is particularly excited about this release of 250,000 fish, the largest of its kind ever implemented, and its positive environmental impacts including:| - It will help maintain the river system’s biodiversity balance | |
| - It will help to bolster and sustain populations of native fish | |
| - It will assist in controlling the proliferation of Carp |
Are there any potential negatives involved in this release?
Whilst this planned release is a very exciting initiative, it is important that river users realise that it does not offer an excuse for over fishing our native waterways (i.e. catching too many fish).What is the significance of the Murray-Darling Basin?
The Murray-Darling Basin is Australia’s most essential waterway and largest river system. Running through parts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, it is 3,430 kilometres long and covers one-seventh of Australia’s land mass.The Murray-Darling Basin produces 40 percent of the nation's food and drives the economy with annual agricultural produce exceeding more than $10 billion.