Resilient Rivers South East Queensland (RRSEQ) is collaborating with Somerset and Wivenhoe Fish Stocking Association to help reintroduce Mary River Cod into our waterways to enhance biodiversity and support recreational opportunities.
Over 8,700 Mary River Cod fingerlings were released throughout the Bremer Catchment as part of a larger species recovery project – The Brisbane River Cod Recovery Program.
The fingerlings were released into Warrill Creek and the Bremer River, a tributary of the Brisbane River that crosses through Scenic Rim and Ipswich local government boundaries.
The reintroduction of these fingerlings has the goal of restoring apex predators in our rivers, in place of the now-extinct Brisbane River Cod, known as Bumgur by the Jinibara people, to reduce the damage caused by the introduction of invasive species such as Carp.
Brisbane River Cod, once common throughout Brisbane, Bremer and Logan catchments, went extinct in the 1930’s due to habitat destruction and overfishing but was vital in maintaining the environmental balance of the waterways.
The closest living relative, the endangered Mary River Cod, will provide similar significant enhancement throughout the river system.
Each year Mary River Cod fingerlings are released into selected locations as part of a strategy to re-establish a self-sustaining population throughout the catchment.
To continue to support the species, RRSEQ is conducting on-going study to identify and assess the man-made barriers that prevent, delay or obstruct fish migration and identify locations for the restoration of habitats to support the protection of threatened species in the Bremer River.
Restoring native wildlife in our rivers is just one part of our broader strategy to deliver coordinated catchment management and improve the health and resilience of SEQ’s catchments and waterways.
Resilient Rivers SEQ is an initiative of the Council of Mayors (SEQ) and has successfully delivered coordinated catchment management for more than 10 years as a partnership with South East Queensland councils, the Queensland Government and key regional waterway and catchment organisations.
