In an Australian first, the Clarence River Fisherman’s Cooperative will stock more than 10,000 Mulloway fingerlings into the Clarence River, with $10,000 funding support from the NSW Government as part of the White Spot Recovery Program.
On Friday 26 July, the Clarence River will receive a massive boost with Mulloway fingerlings produced by Searle Aquaculture, a Clarence aquaculture business that has been producing high quality marine and freshwater native fish for decades.
This fish re-stocking program initiated by the Clarence River Fisherman’s Cooperative represents one way the Cooperative supports its environment and community by helping to improve stocks of Mulloway in the Clarence River.
Clarence River Fisherman’s Cooperative chair Brad Dixon said this program will help assist the Clarence Valley with its ongoing recovery from the impacts of white spot.
“The Clarence River community has continued to support the Clarence River Fisherman’s Cooperative and all the commercial fishers whose businesses have been significantly affected by the impacts of White Spot.
“Mulloway is an important commercial, recreational and Aboriginal fish species. Mulloway are widely recognised for their excellent eating qualities, their status as one of
the state’s most iconic sportfish and their cultural significance to Aboriginal fishers.
“We couldn’t have done this without the ongoing support from the NSW Government. Their dedication to ensuring the recovery of the Clarence community has been a real highlight of the recovery program, and we look forward to continuing to work with them into the future.
Yaegl Wadyarr Gargle Land and Sea Contractors Business Manager Grant Brown applauded the program saying “the initiative of Clarence River Fishermen’s Cooperative in driving the Mulloway restocking program as a great boost for the Clarence River and Mulloway stocks. For the Aboriginal people Mulloway means ‘the greatest one’, demonstrating the significance of the species and representing the regeneration and health for Aboriginal people”.
Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said this stocking program was funded through the NSW Government’s $21.4 million White Spot recovery package, announced in June 2023.
“I applaud the Clarence River commercial fishers for their initiative in putting this stocking program together.
“It will deliver benefits to the community by improving fishing, conservation outcomes, employment and will have subsequent economic benefits to the broader Clarence region.
“This is a great example of an industry doing their part for the community, after being devastated by the detection of White Spot in the region in early 2023.”
For more information on the White Spot Recovery Program, please visit the NSW Government website – https://bit.ly/4d2RjOs
The release of Mulloway fingerlings took place on Friday July 26.