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This article was published on Thursday, 24 April, 2025. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Students set to release threatened ‘Zombie Fish’ species into Victoria Park Lake

The event, hosted by RiverConnect in partnership with the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and Native Fish Australia, will see the Southern Purple Spotted Gudgeon and Southern Pygmy Perch released into the lake as part of ongoing conservation efforts to support the recovery of threatened fish species.

These two fish are part of the “Magnificent Six” – six small floodplain fish identified as a priority for protection and population recovery across the Murray-Darling Basin.

Students from Toolamba Primary School and Shepparton East Primary School will attend the event, rotating through four environmental education sessions. Supported by funding from the Victorian Fisheries Authority, the event is delivered in partnership with Goulburn Murray Landcare Network and supported by volunteers from the Shepparton Mooroopna Urban Landcare Group.

Council’s Director Sustainable Development, Geraldine Christou, highlighted the importance of connecting students to hands-on conservation experiences.

“This event provides students with the opportunity to actively take part in conservation efforts by releasing fish into the lake, while also learning through fun and engaging activities,” she said.

“It is a wonderful way to foster a lifelong interest in the environment and show students the real-world impact of their learning.”

Goulburn Broken CMA’s Environmental Water and Wetlands Manager, Simon Casanelia, explained the significance of the Southern Purple Spotted Gudgeon and the Southern Pygmy Perch and why their release is so important.

“The Southern Purple Spotted Gudgeon, which grows from 7 to 14 centimetres, is critically endangered. It’s known as the Zombie Fish, as it was declared locally extinct until being rediscovered in recent years,” he said.

“The Southern Pygmy Perch ranges in size from 6.5 to 8.5 cm and has been impacted by habitat fragmentation. Many native fish populations have declined significantly across the Murray-Darling Basin due to habitat loss, degraded vegetation and introduced species.”

Mr Casanelia said the fish release is part of the broader native fish recovery strategy being undertaken by the CMA.

“Placing these fish in Victoria Park Lake is part of our native fish recovery work, which includes stocking threatened species in local waterways and in private dams with secure water levels and suitable habitat,” he said.

“The great news is that both of these fish species are now showing excellent signs of population recovery. It’s fantastic these fish are being placed in a popular Shepparton location, along with some information about them, so the community can learn about them.”

Event details

When: Thursday 1 May 2025, 9.30am to 12.30pm
(Fish release: 11.15am to 12.15pm)
Where: Victoria Park Lake, Shepparton
Who: Grade 5 to 6 students from Greater Shepparton schools

Media are invited to attend and take photos during the fish release between 11.15am and 12.15pm. The fish will be placed into the Southern wetland of the lake. We recommend parking at the Shepparton Art Museum car park.

For further information, please call Council on 5832 9700 or email council@shepparton.vic.gov.au.