JN14496 11/17 buying orsellingthemfordamaging theirhabitat. there areheavypenaltiesforharming, possessing, species underNSWandCommonwealth isolated. MacquariePerchislistedasanendangered range, theyaresmall,restrictedandgeographically fragmented populationspersistthroughouttheformer where itwasoriginally in NSW. The speciesisnowextinctintheMacquarieRiver, in thedistributionandabundanceofMacquariePerch catchment. River catchmentandincludingtheGeorges Nepean riversinthenorth,southtoShoalhaven the easterndrainingrivercatchments–Hawkesbury- Murray andMurrumbidgeeRivers,aswell reaches oftheLoddon,Ovens,Goulburn,MItta the south-easternpartofMurray-DarlingBasin,lowland included theupstreamreachesofallmajorriversystemsin The naturalhistoricdistributionofMacquariePerch land managerscanidentifyeachspecies. native speciessoitisimportantthatfishersand Macquarie Perchcanbemistakenforother distinct scales,prominentfinsandlargewhiteeyes. in bothformsmaybemottledandadultshavelarge, grey-brown anddarkgreyblotched.Juveniles lighter ontheunderside.Coastaldrainagefishareoften to silverorbluishgrey,green-brownontopand withinthewesternformvariesfromalmostblack where theygrowupto25 in theeasterndistributionoftheirrange(coastalform) their range,butaredistinctlysmallerinmaximumsize cm longand3.5 kg withinthewesterndistributionof Macquarie Perchhavebeenrecordedgrowingto55 or translocatedtoseveralreservoirsandstreams Rivers/coastal form). one fromtheeasternrivers(Hawkesbury-Nepean Basin/western form)western (Murray-Darling rivers and Perch, forms ofMacquarie distinct two onefrom the researchRecent indicates thatthere may beatleast offishagedupto 26years.lived specieswithreports freshwater isarelativelymoderate-sized long- .It PerchMacquarie ( australasica ) isa for fishersandlandmanagers Protecting Macquarie Perch –aguide A IDENTIFYING A MACQUARIE PERCH T HRE ATENED There hasbeenaverysignificantdecline The specieshasalsobeenstocked described in1830. While

SPECIES cm. The colourofMacquarie law, and Mitta, An example ofMacquarie Perch habitat. Photo by Luke Pearce. Mac A w spring toatleast16 o boulders, pebblesandgravel. where adhesiveeggsaredepositedamongsmall Spawning occursaboveriffles(shallowrunningwater), suc HABI

verhanging banks. Macquarie a ter temperaturesbutrequireatemperaturerisein h q asaquaticvegetation,snags,bouldersand uarie Perchoccurinwaterswithlotsofcover TATS

Perch.

Photo 0 They cantoleraterelatively C forspawningto

by www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

Gunther

Schmida. occur. c old HOW TO IDENTIFY A MACQUARIE PERCH MACQUARIE PERCH Large distinct scales along body Large eyes

Pores on the snout and Rounded tail around the eye

Jaws of equal size Snout slightly Large eyes concave to straight

Snout length shorter than Forked tail Estuary Perch

Lower jaw slightly Pelvic fin white longer than upper jaw at leading margin

GOLDEN PERCH Pronounced arch of the head behind the eyes Snout tapered

Rounded tail

Lower jaw longer Small than upper jaw eyes

Small scales along body ESTUARY PERCH

Large eyes All fins dark

Snout tapered

Forked tail

Lower jaw slightly longer than upper jaw

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PROTECTING MACQUARIE PERCH – A GUIDE FOR FISHERS AND LAND MANAGERS 0 100 150 200 km

the impacts of Redfin Perch. After extensive habitat WHY IS MACQUARIE PERCH mapping and site surveys, a suitable waterway in the AN ENDANGERED SPECIES? Abercrombie River catchment was identified and over 19,000 captive-bred fingerlings were released Macquarie Perch populations have significantly into the waterway. Research surveys in May 2017 reduced over time due to a range of factors including: collected evidence that the refuge population is »» Dams can discharge cold water which may now successfully breeding. This is the first time since disrupt temperature cues for spawning; the early 1900s that a new breeding population »» The construction of dams, weirs and road of Macquarie Perch has been established in NSW, crossing creates barriers to fish movement; which is a significant achievement in recovering the species. NSW DPI will undertake regular » Removal of riparian vegetation increases » monitoring of the refuge population to assess the erosion and siltation, resulting in the loss long-term effectiveness of the stocking program. of deep pool habitat and smothering cobble bed spawning habitat and eggs; »» Infection of Macquarie Perch by Epizootic Haematopoietic Necrosis Virus (EHNV), which is carried by the introduced species Redfin Perch and farmed Rainbow ; »» Historic overfishing and illegal fishing practices; »» Pollution from domestic, agricultural and industrial sources; and »» Competition with and predation by introduced fish, particularly Redfin Perch, European Carp, and ARTIFICIAL BREEDING AND CONSERVATION STOCKING NSW DPI recently bred Macquarie Perch with the aim Macquarie Perch fingerlings being released into the Retreat River. of releasing them into a safe refuge site, isolated from Photo by Luke Pearce.

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PROTECTING MACQUARIE PERCH – A GUIDE FOR FISHERS AND LAND MANAGERS Use wet hands or wet gloves when handling WHERE TO FROM HERE? fish to minimise damage to their skin. A Priorities Action Statement has been prepared Don’t hold the fish by the gills or eyes. by NSW DPI for Macquarie Perch that sets out »» Use knotless mesh nets – avoid knotted the actions required to recover the species. NSW landing nets which may damage the DPI supports targeted projects to promote the fish’s scales, skin, eyes and fins. recovery of the species, and has been a significant contributor to the National Recovery Plan for »» Use only legal fishing gear – the use of gaff Macquarie Perch prepared by the Commonwealth hooks, spears, spear guns or similar devices is Department of the Environment and Energy. totally prohibited in any freshwater environment. »» If you find that you catch Macquarie Perch Some key targeted actions that are being undertaken or other threatened species, you should to support the recovery of the species include: consider trying to avoid hooking them »» Priority rehabilitation, restoration and by changing your location, baits or your enhancement work at key sites known to fishing rigs. Report the catch and release support Macquarie Perch populations. of Macquarie Perch to NSW DPI. »» Allocating and managing environmental water flows in regulated rivers to restore natural seasonal flow patterns and to reduce the FIVE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP impact of cold water downstream of dams. 1. Take a moment to study this guide and familiarise yourself with the appearance of Macquarie Perch. »» Taking action to prevent the spread of introduced species into 2. If you catch a Macquarie Perch, or any Macquarie Perch habitat. other threatened species, release it carefully with the least possible harm. »» Conducting targeted sampling at stocked sites to assess the status of stocked populations. 3. If you live on or manage land adjacent to »» Actively seek grants or investor partnerships Macquarie Perch habitat, prevent stock from to fund research and monitoring programs. directly accessing waterways, manage and protect vegetation on river banks, revegetate » Improving awareness of the threatened status » degraded riparian areas, and prevent erosion. of Macquarie Perch and ways to minimise Become involved in habitat restoration or other impacts on the species by preparing and programs that improve habitat for native fish. distributing appropriate advisory material. 4. Report illegal or suspect fishing activities by: HANDY FISHING TIPS »» Contacting your nearest Fisheries Office Macquarie Perch is a listed threatened species »» Using the Fishers Watch Phone and deliberately fishing for them is illegal. line 1800 043 536; or However when fishing for other species in waters »» Completing the online report from: within the range of Macquarie Perch, consider www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/ the following tips to maximise the survival of compliance/report-illegal-activity any inadvertently caught Macquarie Perch: 5. Participate in the NSW DPI Threatened Species »» Use methods and rigs that reduce deep Sighting Program. If you catch or see a Macquarie hooking – fish for your target species Perch, take a photo, record the details and send the with artificial lures or flies, and use non- information to the NSW DPI Threatened Species Unit offset circle hooks when using bait. by emailing: »» If the fish is hooked deeply, cut the line [email protected] or as close as possible to the fish’s mouth. completing the online report form: Do not try to remove the hook. www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/ species-protection/report-it »» Use barbless hooks or hooks with reduced barbs to make removal easier and minimise damage. WHAT IF YOU ARE NOT SURE? »» Avoid lifting the fish from the water – If you catch a Macquarie Perch or if you are unsure, if possible unhook the fish while it is release the fish back to the water with minimal still in the water. Try to retrieve hooks harm. Significant penalties apply for taking, from mouth-hooked fish and release attempting to take, harming, possessing, buying the fish as quickly as possible. or selling any threatened or protected species »» Support the weight of the fish properly. in NSW without the appropriate approvals.

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PROTECTING MACQUARIE PERCH – A GUIDE FOR FISHERS AND LAND MANAGERS FOR MORE INFORMATION NSW DPI has a number of publications available on Macquarie Perch. The publications are available on- line at the NSW DPI website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au Alternatively contact NSW DPI Threatened Species Unit: PO Box 1305 CROWS NEST NSW 1585 Email: [email protected] Fishing regulations may change during the life of this publication. It is the responsibility of fishers to ensure they are acting within the law at all times.

© State of New South Wales through the Department of Industry, 2017. You may copy, distribute and otherwise freely deal with this publication for any purpose, provided that you attribute the NSW Department of Primary Industries as the owner.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing (November 2017). However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely is up to date and to check currency of the information with the appropriate officer of the Department of Primary Industries or the user’s independent adviser.

Published by the Department of Primary Industries.

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PROTECTING MACQUARIE PERCH – A GUIDE FOR FISHERS AND LAND MANAGERS