News
3 February, 2024
In cod we trust
Over 21,000 Mary River cod now inhabit South East Queensland waterways, marking a crucial step in the species’ recovery since the 2022 floods.
Coordinated by the Somerset Wivenhoe Fish Stocking Association and the Queensland Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation, the initiative secured $85,000 in joint funding from the Australian and Queensland Governments through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Shayne Neumann MP, Federal Member for Blair, released 50 Mary River cod fingerlings into the Brisbane River at Spillway Common.
Reflecting on the 2022 floods, Mr Neumann stressed their toll on riverbanks and biodiversity in waterways like the Mary, Burnett, Brisbane, and Bremer rivers, impacting iconic aquatic species.
Part of the Environmental Recovery Program, the initiative, led by the Somerset Wivenhoe Fish Stocking Association, aims to reinstate native cod in greater Brisbane catchments.
The Association’s president Garry Fitzgerald highlighted their mission for a self-sustaining Mary River cod population, thanking governments for vital funding.
The release, running from November 2023 to January 2024, introduced 21,000 Mary River cod fingerlings into regional waterways, aiding the recovery of one of Australia’s most endangered freshwater fish affected by the 2022 floods.
The comprehensive recovery plan involves releasing Mary River cod at 30 sites across greater Brisbane, aligning with their goal to reinstate native cod populations post-floods.
The Mary River cod, listed as endangered under Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, holds significance as an iconic freshwater apex predator.
With the presumed extinction of the Brisbane River cod around the 1950s, this project focuses on restoring this species using the Mary River cod, its closest living relative.
Growing up to one metre in length, the Mary River cod plays a crucial role in controlling pest fish populations, contributing to South East Queensland’s water ecosystems’.
