Aquaculture for all

Lamprey Fish Still Parched Following Drought

Welfare Water quality Sustainability +4 more

AUSTRALIA - The Lamprey fish has no jaw, a sucker-like mouth and it swims between the estuary of the Coorong and the fresh water of the lower Murray to complete its life cycle.

A few years ago, water levels were so low in Lake Alexandrina that there were concerns the lamprey might not be able to finish its migration, reports ABC Rural.

Since then, more environmental water flows down the Murray have allowed the fish-ways to open, but a recent survey found only two lampreys.

Wendy Collis spoke to Adrienne Frears, a Wetland Ecologist with the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, at the Goolwa barrage.

"We have had our fish scientists from SARDI aquatic sciences come out and do two weeks of monitoring here at the fish way on Goolwa barrage.

"This species, we think it is only just recovering from the drought.

"We actually only found only two of them here at Goolwa over that two week period; lots of other fish, which was exciting.

"But we think that because of the big period of drought, this species is only just starting to recover."

Create an account now to keep reading

It'll only take a second and we'll take you right back to what you were reading. The best part? It's free.

Already have an account? Sign in here