Fish rescue in Emigrant Creek dam

Commercial fishers and staff from NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and Rous Water are working together to save native fish in Emigrant Creek dam north of Ballina.

"The fish were threatened by low dissolved oxygen levels caused by high temperatures and the lowering of water levels during maintenance operations on the dam," said Sarah Fairfull, Program Manager with NSW DPI's Fisheries Management Branch.

"About 560 eel tail catfish ranging in size between 30 and 45 cm and five Australian bass each about 45 cm have been successfully transferred out of Emigrant Creek dam to downstream waters," she said.

"More than 65 of the noxious European carp were also caught and these pest species were humanely disposed of. The carp ranged in size between 35 and 60cm."

Ms Fairfull said while dissolved oxygen levels in the dam have improved with recent cooler weather further fish releases from the dam were required.

Rous Water staff have also installed a pump to spray water across the surface of the dam to improve dissolved oxygen conditions for the remaining fish.

DPI Fisheries Officers Patrick Plunkett and Brett Hurley, DPI Aquatic Habitat Protection and Rehabilitation staff Marcus Riches, Matthew Gordos, Simon Walsh and Patrick Dwyer, and commercial fishers Garry Loy and Dallas Johnston have been working on site since Thursday to net fish out of the dam and transport them to a suitable pool in Emigrant Creek downstream from the dam.

The main operation will finish today (Friday), although staff will remain on standby as Rous Water may need to drop the dam by a further 1.5 metres.

Wayne Franklin, Rous Water's operation services manager, said Rous Water had been well supported by DPI staff during the operation and would like to publicly thank them for the effort and cooperation.

Media contact: PHIL BEVAN - 6626 1350 or 0429 458 053