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Golden Perch is an inland species found throughout most of the Murray-Darling Basin, the Lake Eyre and Bulloo drainage systems, and the Dawson-Fitzroy River systems of southern QLD. While available evidence indicates some population structuring at both the drainage system and finer scales, differences in data availability and management arrangements among states and territories mean that this assessment is presented at the jurisdictional level. Golden Perch in QLD and NSW are classified undefined, in VIC as recovering, and in SA as sustainable.

Photo: Department of Primary Industries, New South Wales

Golden Perch occur throughout most of the Murray–Darling system, except at high altitudes, as well as in the Lake Eyre and Bulloo drainage systems of Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia, and the Dawson-Fitzroy river system in southern Queensland [Lintermans 2007]. Translocated fish also occur in numerous other waterways and impoundments throughout south-eastern Australia [Allen et al. 2002]. 

Golden Perch in the Murray-Darling Basin are genetically distinct from Golden Perch in the Lake Eyre, Bulloo and Fitzroy systems [Faulks et al. 2010a,b; Beheregaray et al. 2017]. Murray-Darling Golden Perch form a well-connected metapopulation with low-level basin-wide population structure, reflecting their ability to migrate and disperse long distances [Faulks et al. 2010b; Beheregaray et al. 2017; Attard et al. 2018; Zampatti et al. 2018a]. However, subtle genetic differences and regional differences in population structures driven by unique recruitment sources suggest sub-structuring across some regions. Examples include the Lower Lakes [Earl et al. 2015] and Paroo River [Attard et al. 2018], and potentially the physically disconnected and hydrologically impacted Victorian tributaries of the Murray River and some NSW tributaries of the Barwon-Darling (e.g. Lachlan River [Shams et al. 2020]). Sub-structuring is also evident in the Lake Eyre Basin [Faulks et al. 2010b]. Although genetic studies suggest the existence of several biological stocks, there are differences in management arrangements and available information in the various jurisdictions that access Golden Perch. 

To account for these differences, assessment of stock status is presented here at the jurisdictional level—Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

Queensland

Golden Perch in Queensland are represented by three separately evolving metapopulation lineages [Beheregaray et al. 2017]. These lineages occur separately in the Murray–Darling Basin, Lake Eyre catchment and Fitzroy–Dawson systems. Queensland has never supported a commercial fishery for Golden Perch. However, Golden Perch are a key target for recreational fishing in Queensland and have been translocated into most south east Queensland drainages to create recreational fisheries.

It is generally accepted that native fish populations in the Murray–Darling Basin’s rivers have declined to an estimated 10 per cent of the levels before European settlement [Murray–Darling Basin Commission 2004]. The decline is thought to have resulted from a combination of flow regulation, habitat degradation, reduced water quality, barriers to movement, introduced species and overexploitation from illegal fishing [Murray–Darling Basin Commission 2004]. Recognising these declines and the importance of recreational fishing in western Queensland, Fisheries Queensland initiated the Recreational Fishing Enhancement Program in the 1980’s and commenced a stocking program. Stocking ceased in the mid 1990’s in the Lake Eyre Basin as most declines were found to be localised events due to overfishing. Monitoring found good populations of Golden Perch away from the few easily accessible locations with strong natural recruitment events. Approximately 500 000 Golden Perch are stocked elsewhere in Queensland annually with the majority being stocked into impoundments. 

Surveys of recreational angler participation and catch within Queensland were conducted in 2000, 2010, 2014 and 2019 [James Webley pers. comm., Webley et al. 2015]. Unfortunately, these surveys don’t differentiate between the three genetically separate populations of Golden Perch found in Queensland nor those stocked in impoundments. However, the estimates may provide an indication of trends. Estimates from these surveys for catch, harvest, and numbers released of Golden Perch have progressively declined over time as has angler targeted effort for this species. It was estimated that anglers harvested 262 000 ± 38 000 fish in 2000 (Henry and Lyle 2003), followed by 87 000 ±1 500 (Taylor et. al 2012) and 78 000 ± 17 000 (Webley et al. 2015) in 2010 and 2013 respectively. Initial results from the 2019 survey suggest that this has declined further to less than 10% of that in 2000 at only 20 000 fish, however this estimate must be used with caution due to a medium relative standard error and changes to sampling areas that may impact on the estimates for Golden Perch [James Webley pers. comm.]. Recent research has further demonstrated the impact anglers have on Golden Perch populations, with a strong relationship found between the mean length of Golden Perch and their proximity to population centres. As the distance from town increased so did the mean length within the population [Michael Hutchison unpub. data].

Extensive drought conditions were experienced throughout 2018, 2019 and 2020. These conditions resulted in widespread localised fish kills throughout western Queensland. Unfortunately, most of these were not well documented or quantified due to the remote locations. The impacts on the Golden Perch populations are not yet known, though Golden Perch are highly mobile enabling them to move between regions and access favourable environmental conditions [Zampatti et al. 2018].

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority Murray-Darling Basin Fish Survey (MDBFS) formerly the Sustainable Rivers Audit, fishery-independent monitoring suggest an increase in numbers in the Condamine–Balonne and Warrego rivers, whilst the population in the Paroo River is recovering after blackwater events during 2018–19. Little recent data is available on the populations in Lake Eyre Basin or the Fitzroy–Dawson river systems. Further water development and mining on the Fitzroy–Dawson may impact on Golden Perch within this catchment in the near future.

On the basis of the evidence provided above, Golden Perch in Queensland is classified as an undefined stock.

[Roberts et al. 2008; Forbes et al. 2015; Mallen-Cooper and Stuart 2003]

Distribution of reported commercial catch of Golden Perch.

Queensland – Indigenous (management methods) for more information see https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries/traditional-fishing.

Victoria – Indigenous (Management Methods) A person who identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is exempt from the need to obtain a Victorian recreational fishing licence, provided they comply with all other rules that apply to recreational fishers, including rules on equipment, catch limits, size limits and restricted areas. Traditional (non-commercial) fishing activities that are carried out by members of a traditional owner group entity under an agreement pursuant to Victoria’s Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 are also exempt from the need to hold a recreational fishing licence, subject to any conditions outlined in the agreement. Native title holders are also exempt from the need to obtain a recreational fishing licence under the provisions of the Commonwealth’s Native Title Act 1993.

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