Introduction
Murray cod fisheries continue to improve in many areas. Much of this recovery is due to better conditions and stocking programs. However, more research is needed on spawning and recruitment.
Murray cod spawning site during dry conditions.
Recruitment occurs when larvae or small fish survive and have the opportunity to grow to adults.
Spawning is the process of fertilisation of eggs.
Successful spawning doesn’t always mean successful recruitment.
Fertilised eggs may not hatch and larvae may not survive
Wild juvenile Murray cod from central and western NSW
Electrofishing is used to monitor recruitment, juvenile habitat preferences and survival of stocked fish.
Radiotracking, larval sampling and underwater video are used to monitor spawning, habitat use and larval survival.
This video shows a Murray cod guarding its nest.
Murray cod display care of eggs and monitor their nest for debris and predators. Keeping adults near the nest during the breeding season gives the greatest chance of natural recruitment.
Male Murray cod are surgically implanted with tags, which allows them to be tracked to the nest.
The nest can then be monitored with underwater cameras and larval fish trapping.
3) Angler fishing catch and effort with citizen science & angler surveys.
2) Effectiveness of stocking through tag recaptures.
1) Population size structure in the Murrumbidgee, Gwydir & Dumaresq
The recreational fishery for Murray cod is further monitored by examining:
Keep an eye out for some new work on movement of big Murray cod in impoundments and our new project on stocking bigger cod the speedy recovery.
Follow the DPI website and Facebook pages for regular monitoring updates.