00:02A step in the right direction in replenishing a vulnerable fish stock.
00:08This healthy Murray cod, one of hundreds released into Lake Bonney,
00:12where environmental challenges devastated the population.
00:16Throughout various water quality issues the lake got segregated from the river
00:20and unfortunately there were a few fish kills here that removed all of the cod.
00:23The fish tagged for monitoring.
00:25These fish I would say are between 12 months to 18 months old,
00:28probably a little bit more.
00:30The average size is about two to three kilos.
00:33A few are up to a metre and eight years old,
00:37with thoughts the native species will help eliminate the introduced carp.
00:41These fish are ready to go, they will eat all the baby carp.
00:45The cod is also significant to the indigenous community,
00:49hoping these fish can make their way through a narrow channel
00:52into the river Murray to continue breeding.
00:54Into the natural habitat, where they breed it all the time.
00:59They look for the willows, the logs and shags.
01:02That's where they leave all the eggs and nests.
01:05The restocking is part of the state government's recreational fishing package,
01:09aiming to expand freshwater fishing sites and boost tourism.
01:14There aren't many people in the community that don't have a rod and reel in the shed
01:18or a boat licence and we could not be more excited to get out there
01:22and catch the elusive Murray cod.
01:24Anglers are banned from targeting the cod in South Australia
01:27from October until the 1st of January to give the species a chance to breed.
01:33But even then, cod caught here, in the river and other waterways must be released.
01:39Letting native numbers grow to preserve a better ecological tomorrow.
01:43All right.
