SOME 2000 freshwater native catfish have been released into the Ovens River.

Wangaratta Landcare and Sustainability Inc (WLS) volunteers assisted the Victorian Fisheries Authority release 750 into the Lower Ovens, 750 at Boorhaman North and 500 at the Templeton Street boat ramp in Wangaratta last week.

The catfish, averaging 4.5cms in length, came from Lascelles Lake, near Hopetoun in north west Victoria, where they were in large number and under an increased threat due to the current drought.

The catfish spent two weeks at the VFA native fish hatchery at Arcadia, near Shepparton, before being released into the Ovens River.

Similar released occurred elsewhere across northern Victoria in recent weeks.

For several years WLS has participated in a breeding trial of freshwater catfish in the Mullinmur Billabong in Wangaratta.

WLS president Tony Lane said recent DNA testing of the water from the billabong confirms that catfish are still present.

“It it is also known that a few catfish moved into Ovens River when it was last in flood,” he said.

“Freshwater catfish are an endangered species and the recreational taking of these fish is prohibited in Victoria, except for the Wimmera Basin.”