2024 Deniliquin lagoons project members Janet Manzin, Landon Flisher, Dr John Conallin, Tom Rourke, Baxter Cowley, Ben Hayes, Dexter Hardman, Isaac Behsman and Brody Wills.
Photo by
Rebecca Flisher
The Deniliquin Lagoons Community Restoration project has seen native nesting success with helping hands from some Deniliquin High School students.
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Deniliquin Kolety Lagoons Landcare Group’s project co-ordinator Dr John Conallin said the program has been running for more than 10 years with the basis being local water health, survival of threatened native species and connection to the community.
Deni High Year 10 students get involved on Wednesdays during the school term, assisting with maintenance of the project and gaining first-hand experience in the restoration of the town’s lagoon system.
During last week’s assessment of native threatened species populations, including the eel-tailed catfish, Dr Conallin said some positive observations about nesting and breeding were recorded.
The catfish nesting season runs from late spring to mid-summer, due to the warmer water temperature.
“At the moment they’re the most visible we’ve ever seen at pebble beach in McFaull Park.
“There are several catfish nests, which are very interesting, and it’s the most nests we’ve ever noticed in Deni.”
Dr Conallin said everyone is welcome to have a look for the nests, but he asked for people to be “considerate”.
“Obviously we don’t want to disturb them, but they are very interesting to have a look at.
“We do ask that you please keep dogs away.”
Dr Conallin said part of the program includes teaching the students how to assess populations and how to handle the catfish.
“You have to be careful, because the catfish has about three sharp spines.”
Students have also introduced a combination of smaller catfish and two other native species, the olive perchlet and purple spotted-gudgeon, to the lagoons this term.
“We continue to find fish, which is great to see.
“Deni is the only place I’m aware of with an in-town CBD native species breeding program.”
“We use them as a source to translocate to repopulate other areas.
“We have moved some to Finley Lake, which has been good.
“Catfish have been a recreational food source for thousands of years, so we are trying to bring that back.”
Dr Conallin said the local project received funding form the now annual Edward Kolety Fishing Challenge, which will be held again in February, and government departments.
“Part of the funding for the project comes from the Edward Kolety Fishing Challenge, so the more people who support that the more we can do this sort of initiative.
“We’re also supported by the New South Wales Recreational Fisheries Trust.”
The lagoons project is a collaboration between Murray Local Land Services, Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre, NSW Fisheries, Deniliquin High School, North Central Catchment Management Authority, the Deniliquin Kolety Lagoons Landcare Group and Edward Wakool Angling Association.
Dr John Conallin demonstrating the safe ways to handle an eel-tailed catfish.
Photo by
Rebecca Flisher
Ben Hayes holding a native eel-tailed catfish last Wednesday.
Photo by
Rebecca Flisher
Ben Hayes puts one of the native eel-tailed catfish into the lagoon.
Photo by
Rebecca Flisher
Isaac Behsman carefully handling an eel-tailed catfish.
Photo by
Rebecca Flisher
Isaac Behsman demonstrating how to handle an eel-tailed catfish.
Photo by
Rebecca Flisher
Isaac Behsman releasing a catfish into the lagoon.
Photo by
Rebecca Flisher
Dan Hutton assessing fish populations last Wednesday.
Photo by
Rebecca Flisher
Dr John Conallin handling a native eel-tailed catfish.
Photo by
Rebecca Flisher
An eel-tailed catfish released into the Waring gardens lagoon last Wednesday.
Photo by
Rebecca Flisher
Landon Flisher about to observe the variety of native fish species.
Photo by
Rebecca Flisher
Some of the native fish species last Wednesday.
Photo by
Rebecca Flisher
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