Around 200 Murray crayfish have been released into the river as part of a landmark trial to reintroduce the iconic Australian species back into the South Australian River Murray.
Once common, the number of Murray crayfish declined to a point of virtual extinction as a result of overfishing, the effects of river regulation and declines in water quality. Improved understanding and recent improvements to these conditions mean it’s now time to attempt to bring the species back to South Australia.
“The releases represent an important first step to re-establishing a self-sustaining population of this iconic species in South Australia” said Darren Willis, Team Leader Wetlands at the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board.
