No further fish kills have been reported in the Macquarie River downstream of Dubbo, a NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) spokesman has advised.
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"Water clarity at Dubbo has improved 90 per cent since Saturday and to date there has been no further fish kills reported downstream," the spokesman told Australian Community Media on Tuesday.
"Staff have been out in the field monitoring the conditions around Dubbo in order to calculate the oxygen recovery timeframe and predict the recovery trajectory."
According to the spokesman, the NSW government has been preparing for expected fish kills and post drought recovery through a $10 million native fish rescue strategy.
"The strategy includes targeted rescue operations, the state's largest ever breeding program of native fish, expansion of the government's flagship fish hatchery as well as working with recreational fishing clubs and private hatcheries across the state," he advised.
"Part of this work has included NSW DPI Fisheries working with other state and commonwealth government agencies to install aerators and water mixers at priority sites across inland NSW."
NSW DPI Fisheries and WaterNSW have deployed water mixers at various parts of the Macquarie River downstream of Narromine and Warren, the spokesman confirmed.
"These sites include Warren Weir and Gin Gin Weir pools that are expected to support good numbers of native fish.
"Work commenced late last year, with some of the mixers in operation since November 2019.
"Recreational fishing closures are in place around these sites to ensure these populations of vulnerable fish are protected until conditions improve."
More than 3,000 fish had been relocated by the NSW DPI and local communities across the state, the spokesman said.
"On the Macquarie River, NSW DPI Fisheries and local volunteers mounted a fish rescue mission near Warren in November 2019," he said.
"More than 220 large bodied native fish including Murray Cod and Golden Perch were rescued, with additional fish rescue efforts undertaken by the local community under guidance and approval by NSW DPI Fisheries moving a further 200 native fish from reaches of the lower Macquarie.
"These fish were relocated to areas of the river where they would have the best chance of survival. Others were relocated to hatcheries where they will form the backbone of a captive breeding program, with their offspring to be returned to rivers once conditions improve."
Community members should report any fish deaths or observations to the Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536.
