The Macquarie Cotton Growers Association (CGA), together with local community members, has released more than 75,000 native fish across four locations in Narromine, Gin Gin, Warren and Gunningbar Creek this week.

The fish release is an annual event supported by the CGA and this year was made possible through the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) $2-for-$1 Native Fish Stocking Program, with Council contributing $6,000 and NSW DPI contributing $12,000.

The release of Murray Cod and Golden Perch fingerlings, supplied by Tara Native Fish Hatchery, is one of several local initiatives supporting healthy river systems.

Chair of the Macquarie Cotton Growers Association, Richie Quigley, said the fish release continues to be a key activity for the association.

“We are pleased to again be helping improve our native fish populations and river health with this fish release. It is something we have done for the past decade and is always a great event that brings together our growers and the community,” Mr Quigley said.

New Fish Screens Help Protect Native Populations

As part of broader efforts in the region, the Narromine Irrigation Board of Management has installed two new sets of fish screens, funded by NSW Fisheries. These screens are in addition to those already installed on 19 pumps across seven diversion sites between Dubbo and the Macquarie Marshes.

The self-cleaning screens are now operational, preventing around 90 per cent of native fish from entering pumps while also stopping debris from being sucked in, delivering the same volume of water alongside energy savings.