The re-population of an iconic crayfish in Australia's biggest river system is on track.

Murray Crayfish numbers were decimated in the Murray River during widespread hypoxic blackwater events during flooding in 2010 and 2011.

But for the past three years a stocking program has been relocating Murray Crayfish to the mid-lower Murray area.

New South Wales DPI Senior Fisheries Manager Dr Trevor Daly told Macquarie National News Rural Reporter Eddie Summerfield human intervention was needed.

"For them to move a couple of hundred kilometres downstream would take decades," Dr Daly said.

200 Murray Crayfish have been relocated each year for the past three years, with the conservation project starting to pay dividends.

"We're currently doing some more surveys this year, but so far the ones we've been doing are showing the population is starting to come back."

The Murray Crayfish is the second biggest freshwater crayfish in the world, growing to around 20-30 centimeters and can live for more than 30 years.

The re-population of an iconic crayfish in Australia's biggest river system is on track.
Murray Crayfish numbers were decimated in the Murray River during widespread hypoxic blackwater events during flooding in 2010 and 2011.
But for the past three years a stocking program has been relocating Murray Crayfish to the mid-lower Murray area.
New South Wales DPI Senior Fisheries Manager Dr Trevor Daly told Macquarie National News Rural Reporter Eddie Summerfield human intervention was needed.
"For them to move a couple of hundred kilometres downstream would take decades," Dr Daly said.
200 Murray Crayfish have been relocated each year for the past three years, with the conservation project starting to pay dividends.
"We're currently doing some more surveys this year, but so far the ones we've been doing are showing the population is starting to come back."
The Murray Crayfish is the second biggest freshwater crayfish in the world, growing to around 20-30 centimeters and can live for more than 30 years.

The Rural News

The Rural News is market leader, dealing exclusively with stories of interest to the farming sector and has the support of Australia’s largest media business and international correspondents.

The Rural News is market leader, dealing exclusively with stories of interest to the farming sector and has the support of Australia&rsquo;s largest media business and international correspondents.

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