Eastern freshwater cod [SEP] IUCN conservation status
endangered species of cod in 1984, and were declared a protected species in that year. Subsequent research confirmed this finding. While a high level of poaching is still taking place, legal protection has played a large role in finally allowing the species to commence a limited natural recovery.
A restocking programme was undertaken by the government of New South Wales in 1984-1989, but was then closed and contracted to a private operation, which produced and stocked fingerlings until the late 1990s. The eastern freshwater cod stocking programme was suspended
on the Mann and Nymboida Rivers and their tributaries between August and October each year specifically to prevent this.
Conservation status.
Following heavy declines in numbers and distribution, the eastern freshwater cod is currently classified as endangered by the IUCN.
Conservation status Population decline.
Early records show that eastern freshwater cod were extremely abundant in the all parts of the Clarence River system at the time of European settlement. They were so abundant that they were caught "on demand" for diners at one riverside hotel, and were reportedly