IN a significant move towards the preservation of local biodiversity, the Macquarie perch, affectionately known as ‘Maccas’, has been granted protected status in Victoria. The state’s recreational fishers are now prohibited from taking the endangered species from the remaining two Victorian waterways, a decision aimed at bolstering the species’ wild populations.
Travis Dowling, CEO of Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA), expressed the state’s commitment to ensure the Maccas’ resurgence, especially in Lake Dartmouth, where the species has an active breeding population.
“We’re serious about bringing Maccas back and this will ensure the population at Lake Dartmouth can flourish in years to come,” Dowling stated.
This decision aligns with the significant investment from the Victorian Government and various partner agencies to ensure a bright future for Maccas in Victoria. A three-year, $3.7M partnership launched in 2023 between the Federal and Victorian governments is working to unlock the secrets of successful Macquarie perch captive breeding.
Further bolstering the recovery efforts, the Victorian Government’s Go Fishing and Boating Victoria plan has funded a $15M development at the VFA’s Snobs Creek and Arcadia hatcheries. Since 2022, the Snobs Creek hatchery alone has produced over 185,000 Macquarie perch, which have been reintroduced into Victorian waters.
“It’s all about returning these beautiful fish to their former glory in Victoria’s rivers and lakes,” Dowling concluded.
