Are native Murray crayfish still living in the Murray River between Red Cliffs and Wemen? That's the question the Nangiloc Fishing Club hopes to answer through its 2027 Stress Less Fishing Classic.
The club has announced that all funds raised during next year's competition will go towards a freshwater crayfish monitoring project along this stretch of the Murray.
The aim is to establish whether Murray crayfish are still present, where they might be found and what sort of habitat they need to survive.
What Happened to the Murray Crayfish?
Unlike the common yabby, Murray crayfish are large, spiny native freshwater crayfish that were once more widespread throughout the Murray-Darling system.
Their numbers have declined significantly over the decades, with habitat loss, river regulation, pollution and fishing pressure among the contributing factors.
Blackwater events are another serious threat.
These events can occur when floodwaters wash large amounts of leaves and other organic material into the river.
As that material decomposes, it consumes oxygen from the water, sometimes causing oxygen levels to fall dangerously low.
We've seen the devastating impact low-oxygen blackwater events can have on fish populations throughout the Murray-Darling system, and Murray crayfish are also particularly vulnerable.
During severe blackwater events, Murray crayfish have even been observed leaving the water in an attempt to escape dangerously low oxygen levels.
Because they're relatively slow-growing and take years to reach breeding age, populations can take a long time to recover from major losses.
A Fishing Competition Giving Back
The Nangiloc Fishing Club's proposed monitoring project will help establish a clearer picture of Murray crayfish populations between Red Cliffs and Wemen.
The results could provide a starting point for future monitoring and help guide conservation and habitat restoration efforts.
It's not yet clear whether Murray crayfish are still surviving in this particular stretch of the river, and that's precisely what the club hopes to investigate.
In announcing the project, the club said:
It's a great example of a local fishing community doing its bit to look after the river it enjoys.
And who knows? Perhaps there are still a few of these remarkable creatures hiding beneath the waters of the Murray.
