A management framework for fish and flows was developed using best available science linking the relationships between hydrology, life history requirements and population dynamics for native fish in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB).
Recent research has highlighted an important breeding pathway for Golden perch involving spawning in the upper reaches and downstream dispersal of egg and developing young. During larger flow events (which historically occurred most years, often multiple times within a year) many of these young are transported as far as the Menindee Lakes. In these productive floodplain habitats they demonstrate strong growth and survival. Subsequent flow events then facilitate dispersal south to the Murray River system, as well as back upstream to the Northern Murray Darling Basin. Whilst this sort of breeding pathway was likely to historically occur throughout the MDB, the Darling appears to be the last system in which regulation of flow has not substantially compromised the flow requirements for completion of the cycle. Unfortunately river extraction in the Northern MDB has (and continues to) reduced the potential for this Darling Breeding pathway to be realised.
In 2016-17 NSW DPI Fisheries, in partnership with other government agencies and stakeholders have adapted and applied the Fish and Flows in the Lower Darling river to ensure the Darling Breeding pathway for Golden perch was completed through delivery of environmental water. The project also supported breeding and recruitment of a vulnerable Murray Cod population at a time in which blackwater precluded successful breeding by this iconic species elsewhere in the Southern MDB.