Released Murray Crayfish “Thriving” in the Wild

News article |

A landmark initiative to re-introduce the extinct Murray crayfish into South Australia has received a welcome boost with a recent survey finding the released crays doing well in the Murray River.

Released Murray Crayfish  “Thriving” in the Wild

Since 2023, the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board and Nature Glenelg Trust have collaborated on a ground-breaking trial to re-establish the species which has not been found in South Australian waters since the 1970s. Around 400 Murray crayfish, many of which were saved from black water events in Victoria and New South Wales, have been released into the Murray River in South Australia over the last 18 months.

During a monitoring event last month, 12 of the released Murray crayfish were recaptured, indicating that efforts to re-establish a population in South Australia are proving a success.

“It’s incredibly exciting to know that our released crayfish are going so well. This is the first recorded capture of a Murray crayfish in South Australia in half a century, and a very important step closer in reversing their status as extinct in the wild in South Australia,” said Darren Willis, Team Leader Wetlands for the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board.

“Of the Murray crayfish captured, 3 were mature female crays loaded with eggs which gives us hope that this group may become self-sustaining,” he added.

Mr Willis said that the team involved was using a combination of conventional and novel methods to monitor the re-released crayfish.

“A number of crays were fitted with radio tracking devices before being released, and this allows us to monitor them remotely as well as helping to see which of the released crays have survived. The huge amount of data from the tracking devices is providing fantastic new insight into the habits of the species”.

“This information further strengthens our ability to plan and evaluate the reintroduction program, which will continue over the next few years and increasing our chances of reestablishing a sustainable population,” he added.

Dr Sylvia Zukowski, a senior Aquatic Ecologist with project partner Nature Glenelg Trust said re-establishing the species in South Australia was vital for ongoing river health.

“The importance of Murray Crayfish in the river ecosystem is significant and bringing them back to South Australia is a giant conservation leap not only at a state level, but also at a national level for the conservation of this species,” she said.

“These iconic animals clean the river by consuming dead and decaying animals and leaf litter. They like to keep their area clean and get rid of any mess in their home. Murray crayfish can be eaten by predatory pest fish species such as redfin and carp, however they can also help fight back against these aliens by consuming them”.

Released Murray Crayfish  “Thriving” in the Wild

Plea for Public to Play Important Role in Cray Conservation

While efforts to re-establish Murray crayfish in the wild are still in their infancy, Mr Willis urged the public to play a vital role in helping to ensure the successful reintroduction of the species.

“It is possible that recreational fishers might come across a crayfish while they’re fishing in the river”.

“If you do happen to catch one, we ask that you return the crayfish to the water and keep the location to yourself so we don’t endanger the future of the project”.

Mr Willis encouraged sightings to be reported to the landscape board and said that this information would be included in monitoring records. To register a sighting, contact the landscape board’s wetlands team on 8532 9100.

Crayfish release sites have been kept a strict secret to help protect efforts to re-establish the species in South Australia.

This initiative is a partnership between Nature Glenelg Trust, and the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board through funding from the landscape levies, with support from New South Wales DPI, OzFish, North West Aquaculture, Victoria Fisheries Authority, River Murray & Mallee Aboriginal Corporation (RMMAC) and PIRSA.

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