Deniliquin-based ecologist Dr John Conallin, who is involved in a number of local fishing and conservation groups, said the original moratorium on crayfishing was enacted following the 2010 hypoxic blackwater event and has never been lifted.
To support the campaign, the Edward-Wakool Angling Association, Edward Kolety Fishing Challenge committee, Deniliquin Kolety Lagoons Landcare Group and Edward River Fishing and Camping Group will fund a crayfish study in the Edward River.
Working in collaboration with the Joint Indigenous Group, NSW Department of Primary Industries Fisheries and OzFish, the study will survey crayfish populations in the river.
"This research funding from the community is about getting data so that we can discuss with authorities what the possibilities are for crayfishing again,“ Dr Conallin said.
“We have a generation of kids who don't know what a crayfish is, and are missing opportunities to get out in the bush and be active in the winter.
“Crayfish are an amazing species and we want to bring them back to the community. But we need the decision making to be evidence based, and community needs based.
“Long-term we want to establish healthy populations of crayfish, eventually get them back on the take list, have the community involved through citizen science programs to assess populations, and advocate for flows and habitat enhancement during the winter that benefits crayfish, the basis being a flowing river in winter.”
The local survey comes at the same time the Commonwealth Government investigates placing the Murray crayfish (Euastacus armatus) on the threatened species list.
It is now open for public consultation, closing on August 19.
In the meantime, Dr Conallin and Joint Indigenous Group member Anthony Jones have been working with DPI Fisheries and OzFish to return crayfish back to areas impacted by blackwater during the 2022 flood.
So far, 265 crayfish have been captured from the Murray River at Tocumwal and released at Swan Hill (100 crayfish), Barham (150) and Moulamein (15).
Crayfish were removed from these areas in rescue efforts when blackwater issues arose in 2022.
Dr Conallin said the crays relocated were of various sizes and sexes, and said another round of relocations would take place next month.
“There will be a second sampling in August where we hope to recapture similar numbers and return them to other blackwater impacted areas,” Dr Conallin said.
“This is in addition to a project earlier in the year, when the crayfish that were rescued from the Edward River and housed at the Inland Fisheries Research Group's lab at the Albury campus at Charles Sturt University were returned.”
For more information about the threatened species listing review, or to make a submission, go to www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/nominations/comment/euastacus-armatus.
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