OzFish: Fish forensics indicate not all is lost in the Georges River for the Macquarie perch
Macquarie perch. Image: Zeb Tonkin
NOT all is lost for the endangered Macquarie perch in Sydney’s Georges River after environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling of the water determined the presence of the endangered species in the waterway.
The DNA sampling project in south-western Sydney is a partnership between fishing conservation charity OzFish, through its partnership with Landcare NSW and Campbelltown City Council which activates the recreational fishing community in hands-on conservation efforts through citizen science.
Local volunteers assisted researchers by collecting water samples in a highly technical and coordinated response at various locations along the river. The samples are then analysed in a laboratory to pick up tiny DNA fragments left in the water by different species.