Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Giving the Mary River Cod more weight
Mary River Cod can grow up to 36 kilograms. But today you'd be lucky to find one heavier than 10 kilograms.
These endangered fish number in the hundreds and are found solely in the Mary River, which flows from the hinterland of Queensland's Sunshine Coast to the Great Sandy Strait.
"The Mary River Cod is a top line predator which means that, apart from humans, few species threaten it," said Eva Ford a catchment officer with the Mary River Catchment Coordination Association Inc. "Over-fishing used to be a problem, but the fish are now protected and the biggest threat is loss of habitat and low water flow."
Plans are however now in place and communities taking action to try to turn the story of the Mary River Cod from a negative to a positive.
Under the Mary River Cod Recovery Plan, developed some ten years ago, and the Mary River and Tributaries Rehabilitation Plan, efforts have been made to begin restoring Cod habitat.
Funding
The Australian Government allocated $25,000 to the Mary River Catchment Coordination Association Inc in 2004 for a project supporting these Plans. Assistance was also provided by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Maroochy and Cooloola Councils and local landholders.
Activities
The project targeted riverbanks in six high priority sites on properties with Mary River Cod in the streams.
"Restoring riverbank vegetation is essential if the Mary River Cod is to survive," said Eva.
"Without vegetation, banks can erode, silting up streams and reducing the numbers of deep pools where the Cod spends most of its life. Lack of vegetation also means lack of woody debris in the streams, no shade and rising water temperatures.
"The Cod needs cool, shaded water between 20-25 degrees for breeding, as well as snags and debris in the water to lay their eggs on."
The project involved property owners on the six sites and local volunteers in planting 47,000 native plants.
Three kilometres of stream banks were fenced, alternative watering points provided for cattle and approximately 50,000 Mary River Cod fingerlings were released into the catchment.
Achievements
"Restoring habitat is a long-term process and work like this is one aspect of an on-going recovery plan," said Eva. "The Cod is an important environmental symbol in the Mary River catchment and the community and property owners are keen to be involved in practical activities to make sure it survives."
More information
- Eva Ford, Project Officer, Mary River Catchment Coordination Association Inc: (07) 5482 4766
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