Murray cod from across the north west were given a new lease on life when they were rescued from drying and turbid waterholes and waterways last year.

The cod are now enjoying life at Narrabri Fish Farm awaiting the right time for the Department of Primary Industries to give the go ahead for release back into waterways and Keepit Dam.

Narrabri Fish Farm proprietor Rick Cunningham set out to find the cod and rescue them from their drying habitats and bring them back to Narrabri.

“This cod (pictured above) was one of the 309 breeding sized fish we pulled out of the river when we saved the fish from the drought,” Mr Cunningham said.

The fish were salvaged from the waters of the Peel, up past Gunnedah, and down the Namoi to Wee Waa and Pilliga.

The rescuers felt their way around the water holes to find the fish.

“They were dying everywhere,” Mr Cunningham said.

“We got in just in time, a week later they would have been dead.

“We have 290 fish we are holding for the DPI to go back to the water ways and more than 100 we are able to keep on farm for another five years and breed from.”

“We will wait for the DPI to tell us when Keepit Dam is at good capacity and they are able to release water and keep a good flow which will be good enough to return the fish.”

The cod have gone to a good home in the mean time. Narrabri Fish Farm is the largest hatchery-based aquaculture farm in NSW, breeding golden perch, Murray cod, eel-tailed catfish, silver perch and yabbies.

 

To order photos from this page click here