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Dr Dylan van der Meulen (NSW DPIRD) implanting an acoustic tag into a golden perch in August 2024. During the less than three-minute transmitter implantation process, the fish are anesthetised to minimise any stress and water is recirculated over the fish’s gills in a purpose-built fish cradle . Image: NSW DPIRD
Macquarie River and Marshes
Native Fish
January 30, 2026

What tagging reveals about golden perch movement in the Macquarie River and Marshes

A major multi-year tracking project has revealed the scale and complexity of golden perch movement through the Wambuul–Macquarie River, its wetlands and floodplains, and the interconnected river systems of the northern Murray–Darling Basin.

Jane Howard
Jerom Stocks
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The length of a common yabby (Cherax destructor destructor) is being measured. Large numbers were encountered in the Narran River around Narran Park, May 2025. Image: Lightning Ridge Area Opal Reserve
Lower Balonne
Native Fish
January 27, 2026

Fish surveys at Narran Lakes reveal a system in transition

The first fish surveys at Narran Lakes since 2008 reveal a system responding unevenly to the return of water, with clear signs of recovery in some native species and continued absence in others.

Jane Howard
Dion Iervasi
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Featured image: Adam “Dr Fish” Kerezsy emptying nets during a recent primary school environmental education day. Photo: Anita Carter.
Lachlan
Native Fish
November 8, 2023

From little things... the evolution of environmental education in the mid-Lachlan

A dynamic youth group in Lake Cargelligo engages local kids in ecological surveys and outdoor education, fostering a love for nature and science.

Adam Kerezsy
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Featured image: Olive Perchlet habitat in the Booligal area. Source: Adam Kerezsy.
Lachlan
Native Fish
August 7, 2023

Needle in a Haystack: A chance discovery of one of the Murray-Darling Basin’s endangered fish has been made in the lower Lachlan

A surprising find in Booligal: a healthy population of endangered olive perchlet, discovered by ecologists, sparks hope for the species' future.

Adam Kerezsy
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Photo credit: SARDI.
Lower Murray and Coorong, Lower Lakes, and Murray Mouth
Native Fish
June 14, 2023

Field demonstration busts electrofishing myths

In Renmark, a hands-on electrofishing demo by SARDI scientists captivates locals, showcasing fish sampling techniques and fostering community engagement.

Luciana Bucater
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Electrofishing in action! Image credit: SARDI.
Lower Murray and Coorong, Lower Lakes, and Murray Mouth
Native Fish
March 14, 2023

Electrofishing: what is it and how does it work?

In Renmark, a hands-on electrofishing demo by SARDI scientists captivates locals, showcasing fish sampling techniques and fostering community engagement.

Luciana Bucater
Dr Chris Bice
George Giatas
Dr Brenton Zampatti
Associate Professor Qifeng Ye
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Riverland Field Day. Image credit: Lower Murray Flow-MER team.
Lower Murray and Coorong, Lower Lakes, and Murray Mouth
Native Fish
February 20, 2023

Bringing community, industry and agencies together

At the Riverland Field Day, the Lower Murray team engages the community with electrofishing demos, showcasing fish sampling and environmental benefits.

Luciana Bucater
Pat Gudhka
Andy Lowes
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Featured Image: Murray cod. Photo credit, Arthur Rylah Institute
Darling and Warrego
Native Fish
February 1, 2023

Bringing Murray cod back to the Baaka

Efforts to revive the iconic Murray cod in the Darling-Baaka River face challenges, but united action offers hope for this culturally significant species.

Ellen Ryan
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Featured Photo: The Lachlan River. Photo credit: Finterest.
Lachlan
Native Fish
September 22, 2021

Pelagic fishes of the Lachlan: What do dolphins and hardyheads have in common?

In the Lachlan River, native fish like hardyheads and smelt thrive in unique ecological niches, showcasing remarkable adaptations to their environment.

Adam Kerezsy
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Image: Sampling near Blanchetown. All photos supplied by SARDI.
Lower Murray and Coorong, Lower Lakes, and Murray Mouth
Native Fish
May 11, 2021

Lower Murray River Project Updates – April 2021

Field teams in the Lower Murray are wrapping up their season, analyzing data, and preparing reports on how environmental water influenced local ecosystems.

PIRSA-SARDI
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An adult Golden perch captured by boat electrofishing in the Lachlan River near Hillston, NSW. Image credit: Rohan Rehwinkel.
Lachlan
Native Fish
April 7, 2021

Striking Gold: Golden perch flows and spawning in the Lachlan River

Follow the journey of Golden perch in the Lachlan River as researchers uncover natural spawning events, revealing the secrets of this native fish species.

Flow-MER
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A young-of-the-year Murray cod collected from the lower Murray River in South Australia in summer 2020. This fish was counted, measured and put back into the water. Our researchers are careful to look after the fish we monitor. Photo: Chris Bice, SARDI.
Basin-scale
Native Fish
January 12, 2021

Water for the environment is key for protecting and recovering our Murray cod

Murray cod populations are rebounding thanks to innovative water management strategies that restore natural flow regimes and support fish recovery.

Flow-MER
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Artwork credit: Wiradjuri Artist Rebecca Salcole
Acknowledgement of Country

The Flow-MER Program team acknowledges the First Nations communities of the Murray–Darling Basin and pays respect to Elders past and present.

We acknowledge First Nations people as the Traditional Owners of the land, water and sky Country across the Basin and value the expertise, wisdom and enduring connections that have informed their care for Country over millennia.

We recognise the intrinsic connection of First Nations people to Country, and we value the enduring cultural, social, environmental, spiritual, and economic connection to the rivers, wetlands, and floodplains of the Basin. We are committed to working with First Nations people across the Murray–Darling Basin to build relationships in a meaningful and genuine way to support and empower them in reaching their aspirations.

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Disclaimer

The information on this website is presented by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the Department) for the purposes of disseminating information to the public. It does not constitute legal or other professional advice.The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian Government or the Portfolio Ministers for the Department or indicate a commitment to a particular course of action.

While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that the contents of this website are factually correct, the Commonwealth of Australia does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of its contents. The Department disclaims liability, to the extent permitted by law, for any liabilities, losses, damages and costs arising from any reliance on the contents of this website. You should seek legal or other professional advice in relation to your specific circumstances.

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