February 27, 2026
Main photo: Victorian Fisheries Authority
The new state-of-the-art Macquarie Perch Recovery Centre at the Snobs Creek fish hatchery, near Eildon, is officially complete and ready to start boosting our endangered Macquarie perch populations.
On Thursday, VRFish Chair Rob Loats and VRFish Board Members Steven Relf and Rita Caulfield attended the official opening of the $5-million centre by Minister for Outdoor Education, Steve Dimopoulos.
Once at full capacity, the centre is expected to produce 500,000 Macquarie perch and 500,000 trout cod annually.
Macquarie perch, affectionately known as ‘maccas’, were once a prolific native fish but changes to our catchments and water regulation has impacted populations heavily, resulting in the fish being identified as a nationally endangered species.
VRFish believes this purpose-built recovery centre is an incredible investment by the Victorian Government to recover this magnificent endangered native fish for recreational fishing and conservation for future generations to enjoy.
VRFish are strong supporters of recovering this species, and the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s recovery teams expertise and efforts to “Crack the Code” on Macquarie perch recovery through captive breeding in this first class facility.
Keen to learn more about Macquarie perch recovery in Victoria?
- Victorian Fisheries Authority | Macquarie perch recovery
- Victorian Fisheries Authority | Macquarie Perch Recovery Centre
- Arthur Rylah Institute | Recovering Macquarie perch
The take of Macquarie perch is prohibited in all Victorian waters.
