Those fishing on Oberon Dam are reminded to thoroughly clean their vessels and fishing gear after use following confirmation of a recent outbreak of epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV) affecting redfin perch at the site.
Fishers are also reminded that it is illegal to move redfin between waterways, possess live redfin perch or use live or dead redfin perch as bait.
Outbreaks of EHNV have previously caused redfin perch deaths in Lake Wallace, Burrendong and Waratah Dam in Orange during late 2023 and early 2024.
Prior to 2023, EHNV had not been reported from the Central Tablelands, and within NSW was only known to occur in some parts of the Murray and upper Murrumbidgee catchments.
This confirmed detection of EHNV at Oberon Dam represents a redetection of the disease at the site for the second year, with Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Aquatic Biosecurity officers monitoring the situation closely.
Along with mass fish mortality, individual fish may present with a swollen abdomen due to enlarged organs and haemorrhaging of the gills.
Redfin perch are considered a serious pest in Australia. Although redfin perch are a popular sport fish with some anglers, they are also predators of other fish and invertebrates, can destroy recreational fisheries in enclosed waters and can spread EHNV to native fish populations.
EHNV is naturally present in some Australian waterways, including portions of the upper Murrumbidgee catchment in NSW, the Broken River catchment in Victoria and the lower Murray Darling catchment in South Australia.
Native species, including the endangered Macquarie Perch, may be susceptible to EHNV.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Manager Aquatic Biosecurity Melissa Walker said the Department was monitoring the situation closely and would provide more information as it becomes available.
"We're currently monitoring for other redfin perch or native fish mortality events in the region and will co-ordinate sample submission and testing if these occur. DPIRD will continue to keep fishers and the local communities informed of further developments associated withoutbreaks of EHNV," Ms Walker said.
"It's important to note that EHNV poses no threat to human health but is known to affect introduced wild populations of redfin perch and farmed rainbow trout ."
A range of native fish species can be susceptible to EHNV including endangered Macquarie Perch and so EHNV may have potential impacts on native fish populations as well.
What can fishers do?
Fishers are reminded that possession or movement of live redfin perch is illegal in NSW, and that use of redfin, alive or dead, as bait in any NSW inland waterway is illegal.
To help reduce the spread of EHNV, fishers should make cleaning part of their routine by washing and completely drying vessels and niche areas, including live wells, water inlets and outlets and anchor wells, trailers and fishing gear after use, particularly before moving to new waterways.
Fishers are encouraged to come clean go clean – do not fish in an area that has had an EHNV outbreak and then move to other fishing areas. We can keep our precious native fish safe and thriving by ensuring you 'Make Clean part of your Routine'.
